Mouth open while basking?

[KINGSAME]

Just got my new beardie today and she went under my Megaray 100w bulb and was basking for about 2 hrs then she sat there with her mouth open. Now I have found some posts where they say "they do this to thermoregulate their body temps, when they are a bit over heated". I have a digital thermometer w/probe and the temp is 110-112 degress. Do I raise the fixture to lower the Temp? I was told by the breeder that she was kept at about 105 degress. Should I continue what she was used to? Or will she adjust? The Megaray is about 13' away from her basking spot now.

 

[UncivilisedDragon]

What size is your tank? Often 100w bulb is to high a wattage and can cause thermal burns. Bearded dragons do tend to gape rather than shuttel between warmer and cooler environments but by the sounds of it your bulb is heating your dragon to quickly. I would move the light further away and if that doesn't work get a smaller wattage bulb.

 

[Ethelia]

Hi there,
The Megaray needs to be 12inches from the basking spot, at 13 inches Im positive that your baby cant incurr any burns as this bulb is specially designed, but do double check the distance. Its one powerful bulb! The Megaray is arguably the BEST bulb out there, but it does need a large tank. Id fight to keep it in there, but If you can raise it a little I would.
The size of your tank does matter though so your little one can cool down at the other side when she needs to, so do let us know how large your viv is and what the coolside temperature is.

Holly

 

[KINGSAME]

The cool side Temps are 79-83 degress. I double checked the distance and it is exaclty 13' from the basking spot. I have a 40g breeder tank. She is a juve at 10' long nose to tip.

 

[NegativeCreep]

Yeah, they do gape to release heat, but it doesn't sound like anything to be overly concerned about. You may want to raise your bulb a hair, just to bring the temps down a bit.. but not a lot. It sounds like she is just enjoying the rays. If she gets too hot, she will move. You may want to add a branch or something near the bulb, but not quite in the direct basking area. My little girl loves her flat basking rock, but she also seems to enjoy being near the warm area without being in the direct light.