If not gaping what could it be?

[Karnagia]

Rufus has been sitting in his basking spot holding his mouth open just very very slightly. His beard is dark and his eyes are closed. What could this be from?
He's not always this way, just in his basking spot. Could it be too hot for him?

 

[jacqui778]

Hi,

This is actually quite normal. It's a reptile thing-- what's the temperature, though, just to be safe? I would think that if it was too hot he'd go and hide.

Keep in mind that reptiles cannot sweat like we can to cool ourselves down. So they open their mouths to let out excess heat. Don't worry-- everyone's beardie does it! It means that it's warm enough for them!

Please let us know what the temp. is, to be safe.

-- Jacqui

 

[Karnagia]

The thermometer I have has stopped working accurately so I'm waiting for a temp gun in the mail. The only thing in the tank that has changed is the substrate (after his surgery this week). I've put down shelf liner and newspaper instead of the walnut shell he's used to.

 

[jacqui778]

I've put down shelf liner and newspaper instead of the walnut shell he's used to.

Walnut shell? You know that's severely dangerous for them, right? Can cause all sorts of health problems.

What did he have surgery for, just out of curiousity?

Hope he feels better. Don't go back to the walnut shell.

 

[Karnagia]

I've put down shelf liner and newspaper instead of the walnut shell he's used to.

Walnut shell? You know that's severely dangerous for them, right? Can cause all sorts of health problems.

What did he have surgery for, just out of curiousity?

Hope he feels better. Don't go back to the walnut shell.

The surgery was to remove a toe after a nasty infection. He's a rescued dragon and I'm currently upgrading his habitat tremendously.