How long after dinner for lights out?

[Crewdog00]

My Vic doesn't get below 68 degrees at night. Temps are perfect in the daytime hours. I feed Spike dinner late because I don't get home until 8 or 9pm from work. I usually do lights out at 10pm. Is the temp good enough for proper digestion? Is the timeframe before lights out okay with a late dinner?

 

[BeardedKing27]

I usually leave mine on about an hour and a half or so. My beardie will bask after eating and then usually goes to the dark side of his cage. Then I turn them out. He stays under the light about and hour or so.

 

[Crewdog00]

Ok cool. I figured it was enough time. This is the first reptile I have owners that didn't require a heat pad so it's odd to me to have no heat at night. I have a CHE for the winter. Thanks again.

 

[Crewdog00]

Ok cool. I figured it was enough time. This is the first reptile I have owners that didn't require a heat pad so it's odd to me to have no heat at night. I have a CHE for the winter. Thanks again.

 

[icelore]

I believe two hours is the default time to digest their meals completely while basking.

 

[Crewdog00]

This morning he was slow to eat and the crickets got away from him. But once he it them he went to the cool side at 70 degrees versus the warm side. Lights are on all day so I'm not worried.

 

[CooperDragon]

I'd say an hour is minimum. 2hrs or more is optimal.

 

[Wolfeden]

Another question about feeding time.
Is it OK to feed early in the AM when it's still cool in the enclosure as long as it's warming up?

Thanks.

 

[Elmontare]

You could adjust his light cycle to provide more time for digestion at night.

 

[Elmontare]

Another question about feeding time.
Is it OK to feed early in the AM when it's still cool in the enclosure as long as it's warming up?

Thanks.

You mean put food in before the lights come on or just as soon as they come on? Depending on the size of the enclosure it shouldnt take long to heat up. I have found though my dragon wont eat until about 2 hours after waking up (perhaps when it IS warm in the enclosure).

 

[CooperDragon]

I set the timers to come on about half an hour before I wake up. That provides some heat and wakeup time before morning routine.

 

[Wolfeden]

I think he's fed about a half to one hour after the lights come on.

I'm not sure because I'm not awake at that time, work a second job at night. So my wife does the feeding and I thought it might be better to wait until afternoon when things are warmer.

But I guess at least the basking spot warms quickly and that would allow the dragon to warm up quickly as well.

 

[Crewdog00]

I put the lights on 15-25 minutes before breakfast. I have to go to work in the morning so I only feed non aggressive feeders in the morning. Crickets are fed when I come back from work. This way when I am on my way to work I don't have to worry about Spike. I know once he is warm enough he will eat, and sure enough all the breakfast is eaten.