Just wondering...

[KaylaElizabethM]

What does it mean when my baby sits under his basking lamp and has his mouth open? Is he like, overheating? I know it probably anything to worry about, I just was curious. :]

I am a new beardie mom, I worry about the little things. hah.

 

[Buggsy]

he is just gaping, they do it when there a little warm but cant be bothered to move, like a dog panting to cool himself off. If he is doing it constantly you may need to turn things down a bit. What basking temp are you getting and how are you measuring it??

 

[KaylaElizabethM]

His basking temp is 95 currently, but thats lower than usual. He is usually up to 105. We are kind of in a sticky situation right now. (viewtopic.php?f=45&t=127673 this post will tell you all about it.)

It is kind of humid (40 is what the gauge says) today, could that be whats bugging him?

I do not use a digital thermometer, I use a normal one.

 

[mickeysmomma]

I enjoy seeing them with their mouth open like that...gives me a good look into their mouth. I also like when they stretch out their beards and it looks like they are swallowing. 8)

 

[Buggsy]

ah now i remember!

well those dial ones can be as much as 20f off, which is why we dont use them, so even though it says 95, it may well be 115! I dont think its that high or he wouldnt sit there! but you will find its off. Is there anyway you could get a digital one, i know hes not staying with you ATM, but if he is overheating he will need baths to keep hydrated.

 

[KaylaElizabethM]

I didn't think the digital ones were accurate? I own one, I just don't use it; and it is currently locked in my house that I can't get into for atleast another week. I can't bathe him very easily right now, I have two overly curious dogs at my Grandmother's house and they follow me where ever I go. I mist him frequently, and my family members do it too. He probably gets over misted, if anything, my family likes him but they are afraid of him, and they want to do something for him, so they figure misting him is the best choice. haha.

but thanks, I will stop over worrying- I have been worrying about him ever since the fire.

 

[Goonie]

[Moved from General to Behavior]

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The stick-on ones are not accurate in measuring the correct temps. I used to use one (before I knew any better) and the temps WERE indeed 15-20 degrees higher. Probe ones (PetSmart Zilla Digital Thermometer) are more accurate, given they're placed where they bask.
If you see your beardie 'gaping' on the cool side of the viv, then there's something else wrong with him.

Also, be sure not to mist him in the viv because it'll raise the humidity level, unless you immediately dry off whatever had gotten wet.