Hello everyone!
I apologize in advance if I've posted this in the wrong forum. I'm new here, my name is Anne, and I'm a 34-year old mother of two children, ages 5 and 8. After much research and consideration, we've decided to get a Beardie as a companion and family member. We're very excited about it (my 8-year-old son, especially) and are planning on getting it this weekend. I've been perusing this forum and have read several care sheets and books on Beardie care and have a question about lighting/heating.
As far as heating the enclosure goes, I've come across incongruent information in my reading and am trying to figure out how the whole lighting/heating thing works. I understand that I must have a UVB light for my Beardie and that seems straightforward enough. My question is specifically about heating. Does a Beardie need a 'basking' light as a heat source? Or will an under-tank heating mat be sufficient? If I use an under-tank heat mat, how do I control the temperature gradient? Also, how does a Beardie 'bask' if I use the heat mat? Do I need to use both? I've read that I can use one or the other (or a ceramic heat emitter) or combinations of things, but I don't understand how 'basking' works without an overhead light. I hope I'm not being redundant with my questions, and I apologize if I am. I'm a very thorough person and am approaching this with a great amount of care so as to provide the best life possible for out future friend. Any help is greatly appreciated. I expect to have many more questions as this process unfolds.
Cheers!
I apologize in advance if I've posted this in the wrong forum. I'm new here, my name is Anne, and I'm a 34-year old mother of two children, ages 5 and 8. After much research and consideration, we've decided to get a Beardie as a companion and family member. We're very excited about it (my 8-year-old son, especially) and are planning on getting it this weekend. I've been perusing this forum and have read several care sheets and books on Beardie care and have a question about lighting/heating.
As far as heating the enclosure goes, I've come across incongruent information in my reading and am trying to figure out how the whole lighting/heating thing works. I understand that I must have a UVB light for my Beardie and that seems straightforward enough. My question is specifically about heating. Does a Beardie need a 'basking' light as a heat source? Or will an under-tank heating mat be sufficient? If I use an under-tank heat mat, how do I control the temperature gradient? Also, how does a Beardie 'bask' if I use the heat mat? Do I need to use both? I've read that I can use one or the other (or a ceramic heat emitter) or combinations of things, but I don't understand how 'basking' works without an overhead light. I hope I'm not being redundant with my questions, and I apologize if I am. I'm a very thorough person and am approaching this with a great amount of care so as to provide the best life possible for out future friend. Any help is greatly appreciated. I expect to have many more questions as this process unfolds.
Cheers!