is this normal?

[nathantaxel]

my new juvinile beardie has spent most of the day on his basking perch with his mouth open. Is this normal? is he trying to tell me something? He has eaten today so I dont think he is hungry? Thanks for your help.

 

[Ethelia]

Hi there,
What you are describing is gaping.
This is how beardies regulate their temperatures and cool off.
If your dragon was doing this anywhere else other than her basking spot it would be an indicator that its too hot in there for her.
As she was doing it on her basking branch its likely that she was just being lazy and gaping insted of moving away from the heat.

Just to check though could you tell us your temperatures for your basking spot and cool side?
Temps should be taken with a digital thermom with a probe, anything else can be up to 15degrees off!

Holly

 

[tarian]

You can just move him to a cooler spot in his cage.my iggy does that alot it's normal for them to gape. But if he is doing it too much i just move him to the cooler side of the tank. Not to worry as soon as you aproach him he will close his/her mouth. I think my iggy appriciates me stepping in (they are not always the smartest little guys) and seems happy, and isn't gaping 8)

 

[Tatty]

This is a process called thermoregulating. On occassion mine engage in this behavior. They will move away when they get good and ready.

8) Tatty