Please get rid of the heat mat and just use the che --- the loose sand will cause impaction if she eats it that is not good please take it out--- use paper towels for now-- sand also harbors bacteria- are you using a digital probe thermometer to get basking temps? Place the probe on the spot where she sits to bask wait 10 minutes then get temp- the two most important things in the tank are the basking temps and UVB- the control the over all.health and behavior
I am not sure what caused the mouth issue ahbd would have more insight on that
Karrie
k, gonna vacuum out the sand today when i clean the tank, i have a digital food thermometer with a silver probe 4 inserting in food, i’ll place that where she sits n give a reading, gonna go 2 petco n pick up the long uv light today, will update with pics....
That could be some type of injury though, so as suggested, do try using the raw, unpasteurized
honey on the affected area to help in case there is some infection going on there. Is that area
staying the same size, or has it gotten bigger recently?
i started the honey last night n this morning, he licks his lips n seems 2 not mind lol, yes it’s gotten slightly bigger, but not much, like it’s a scab that’s growing, but he is a baby n is also growing so it’s gotten slightly bigger with his size n the last 2 weeks, but when i purchased him there was no mark or lump on his mouth....
so i got a zilla T8 uv cause that’s what they had that i could grab today, got another zoomed 75w basking light, so now there’s 2 of them in the double dome lamp, i unplugged the tank heater pad but didn’t vacuum up the sand cause it’s been in there since day 1, he’s never eaten any n poops well so i think we’re good on that.... smeared honey on his lips last night n 3 times today n he licks his lips like he’s enjoying the flavor lol!!!! he perked right up under the higher temps of the double basking lamps, n seems 2 enjoy the new uv light also, he keeps waving at me now n he’s never done that b4, HA!!!!
so i ordered the RS T8 10.0 that’s 18” long so it’ll fit this fixture from the zilla, do i still have 2 but it inside the cage? or is it strong enough 2 keep on top of the screen? also what about his mouth? just keep an eye on it? should the new higher temps with uv cure him? thx karrie!!!!
he’s doing great, basking at 106F, started waving, gaping mouth, tank surfing, much more active now n seems happier, eating well, kale n crickets, n he seems to love the new repsun t8 10.0, the mouth lump has almost vanished, n i’ve put honey on his mouth twice a day since it was recommended here, thx again!!!!
You only need one T 8 fixture w/ the cover off that fixture you want the bulb exposed -- and inside the tank w/ a distance of 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor piece- did you get the Reptisun bulb or are you using the Zilla bulb that came w/ the fixture?
Karrie
Hey that's great ! Seems like he's doing very well now from your description, glad to hear it. So you have the Reptisun t8 in the Zilla fixture you say ? Just be sure that you took the plastic cover off.
You only need one T 8 fixture w/ the cover off that fixture you want the bulb exposed -- and inside the tank w/ a distance of 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor piece- did you get the Reptisun bulb or are you using the Zilla bulb that came w/ the fixture?
Karrie
using the reptisun bulb without the plastic cover on it pressed right onto the screen above where he spends most of his time, i’m hesitant to put it inside i’m afraid it’ll fall plus it’s only a 20g tank so it’s not super tall, he’s doin great tho!!!!
Hey that's great ! Seems like he's doing very well now from your description, glad to hear it. So you have the Reptisun t8 in the Zilla fixture you say ? Just be sure that you took the plastic cover off.
so Imposter has been doing great, but was curious about his new activity.... he has had a good full body shed, n currently has a head she’s going on n he rubs his face on the monapi wood which seems normal 2 me.... but now he tends 2 run n hide from me sometimes, he’s never done that before, he doesn't do it all the time but he never did it at all b4, also when i say hi n go up 2 the tank, he looks at me n opens his mouth like 1-2 seconds then closes it.... that’s new 2, but his appetite is good, poop is great, sleeps well, just was wondering about those new behaviors....