Hi y'all. My beardie is only six months old but is slightly showing signs of laying. For the past week she has been eating less, hiding under her plants, and digging at the liner in the bottom of her cage for the past few days. Has a brand new 24inch uvb. Basking temps taken with probe thermometer is 95-105°f warm side on the floor is about 90° and cools side is 80-85°. In a 40 gallon breeder. It's very unusual for her to hide all day and refuse food. Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks in advance!!
Just switched the uvb bulb out two days ago. It's an repti sun t8 10.0 about six inches from the top of the basking rock but not directly above it. Her rock is in the back corner and the uvb is mounted in the front. About 13 inches from the cool side floor. I know its really rare for them to lay this young but not unheard of. The hiding has been going on at least a week and the diging at least three days.
She was never one to refuse her bugs and actually ate her greens pretty well. Now she won't touch the greens at all and only eats about a third of the bugs I give her. It is hot where I live as we're in the middle of summer but I wouldn't say hotter than it's been in the last month or two. She's not sleeping during the day and looks up at me when I walk by the cage to check on her. And is pretty active when I take her out to play and cuddle at night.
I'd be inclined to believe it's just a phase to be honest. She could also be getting ready to shed? They tend to act that way sometimes when a shed is coming on.
I only asked about the heat because we had a heat wave here and my dragons were all acting a little lethargic because of it.
I would just keep an eye on her, but at this point I wouldn't be too concerned
Thanks!! She is shedding her legs but even with full body sheds she never acted like this. Usually when in shed she's running around like crazy rubbing on whatever she can in the tank. I will keep an eye on her tho. Thanks so much for the help.