So... I've had my beardie since last Tuesday, and things have been going alright. Occasionally he'll be on his basking spot and begin gaping so I'll dim the light a little. I measure his basking spot with a Zoo Med temperature gun. The log he is on is usually no more than 106 in any spot. The last thirty minutes or so he's been gaping alot. So I moved the basking light a little off the highest spot of the log. And he would begin gaping a minute later. So then I dimmed the light. And he'd start gaping another minute from then. So I once again dimmed his light. Now, it's pretty dim. And the temperature of the log is no more than 98 in any spot. So why is he gaping? (and it's only when he's on his basking spot- I don't think it's respiratory. But then again, he never really leaves the basking spot. He doesn't understand the concept of moving to the cool side to regulate his body temperature yet, i don't think) Any help is appreciated. He's gaping now! ugh. I guess ill turn down his light even more.
I wouldn't worry to much babies tend to do that just like people babies they have to learn how to act in any given situation. Slim used to do it all the time now she will gape for a bit then move . Yes my temperatures stay around 100-105* checked with an infrared temp gun. When she was little and would just sit and gape I gave her extra baths for hydrationhydration
So should I be dimming the lights? Or just let him keep gaping? He also had stress marks all the time. Except for right after baths. But I'm hoping that's just relocation stress.
Well since it just been a week try giving the little Guy some more time to settle in he had a big change in his life an a lot is new. also sometimes they will darken under the heat it how the thermoregulate. So they're not necessarily stress marks. No I wouldn't dim the lights as long as the temps don't get over 110.