Is there something wrong with my dragon?

[cadiex]

For the past week or so, he hasn't been going to his basking area at all. I was putting him up there myself but decided to see if he ever would by himself. So for the past few days, he has not moved from his sleeping spot for any reason. He is alive, he moves, just doesn't move to a different spot. He's not basking at all or going near his uvb light. He isn't eating anymore. I really don't know what's wrong.

I use a compact 10.0 reptisun
His basking temp is around 95 degrees
He is about 5 months old
Before he stopped eating, he ate dry pellets throughout the day plus 20 crickets at night dusted with calcium and the occasional wax worm
He recently shed most of his skin, but his tail still hasn't

What really worries me is that I don't have a heat source at night yet (hasn't come in the mail) and he isn't basking during the day so I know he isn't getting warm enough.

 

[AndyHarp94]

Check the article on Brumation, that should put your mind at ease

 

[cadiex]

Check the article on Brumation, that should put your mind at ease

Every article I've read about brumation says that they don't do it until they're a year old though

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. Its more then likely the uvb light. Those compacts don't give off the proper amount of uvb and they have been known to cause eye, appetite and lethargy problems. The most recommended uvb on here is the reptisun 10.0 Tube. Also how are you taking the temps? 95 is way too cold. His basking needs to be 100 to 110 for proper digestion. As for night time as long as your house doesn't get below 65 he does not need a heat source. However if it does get cooler make sure it's a che( ceramic heat emitter) it gives off heat and no light. Beardies need a cool down period and complete darkness to sleep.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Destiny is correct. A lot of the issues are probably going to be UVB related.
The compact/coil lights are notorious for causing eye issues, health problems, lethargy & behavior trouble.
They do give off incorrect UVB wavelength frequency & not enough UVA frequency so it is harder on the eyes, too.
We recommend using either the Reptisun 10 tube bulb or the Arcadia D3 12% tube bulb either one. Are you using a bright white basking light also? The basking temperatures should be in a range of 95-110 for optimal health & digestion. Are you using a digital probe or temp gun to measure the temperatures?
Do you use calcium for him 4-5 times per week?
At 5 months of age, he is a bit young for brumation. He could slow down some with cooler weather but shouldn't be going into a full blown brumation at this time.

Tracie

 

[cadiex]

I appreciate the advice and I know everyone recommends the tube. But I can't help that I don't have the money. It was either the compact or nothing. Nobody told me that beardies would take half of my paychecks which he does sometimes. You know, I also have 4 dogs, and honestly they're my priority. I can't drop $30 on a light bulb plus another $20 to $40 on a light fixture. So I really don't know what else to do.

 

[destiny1998]

Can you take back the uvb light and exchange it for the correct one? Also the light fixture I use for the tube uvb is from Walmart. It was 10.00 and I hooked it in the tank with command hooks. Cost 12.00. You can order the uvb on line also cheaper then going to the pet store. I ordered all 3 of mine from Dr Foster Smith for 60.00. So there are lots of cheaper and better options out there then the pet stores that just want your money.