Rescued beardie behaviour

[seandee]

Hi,
I recently took in a beardie that needed to be rehomed due to the owner's change in circumstances.

I've owned water dragons in the past and was looking at getting a beardie for my son anyway, so it worked out well for both parties.

The previous owner had left the basking light on continually (24 hours a day). Having done some research I decided to drop it to lighting the viv for 13 hours a day (basking and uv).

The beardie (approximately 2 years old) doesn't move around much and spends much of it's time lying in it's cave or sleeping under the basking light. It is feeding ok (mealworms and curly kale), and defecating ok (every other day). I just wanted to check that it's behaviour isn't anything unusual. I have checked with the previous owner and they said that he is quite lazy.

Having not cared for a beardie before I just wanted to check this was normal behaviour.

I wonder whether changing the daylength in the tank has triggered hibernation?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

 

[CooperDragon]

I do suggest reading through some of the care sheets and lighting help articles on the right side of the page for an overview when you can. The lighting is pretty critical to their health. While adult dragons are less energetic than the young ones, it sounds like this behavior isn't normal. The lighting should roughly mirror the day/night cycle outside, providing for adjustments due to your schedule. Dragons are daytime animals so they bask in the late morning and late afternoon and sleep during the night. It's good to have the enclosure remain dark overnight to help him sleep. What kind of UVB light source are you using? Proper UVB exposure is as critical as proper temperatures from the bright white basking light. If you can give me a rundown of your current setup and maybe post some photos, I'll be glad to look it over and let you know if anything stands out as a possible issue. I have a feeling that once everything is set up properly, you'll see a very positive improvement with your new buddy.

 

[seandee]

Hi,
Thanks for the response. I have read up extensively on care and environment.
The UV is a 3 foot, 36w lamp housed in the top of a 2 feet high tank.
The basking lamp is a 100w basking bulb that the beardie spends most of his time under.

As I said, he has been kept in perpetual daylight conditions for at least a year.

I mist in the mornings and evenings.

He is eating ok, particularly for activity level, and seems alert when being handled.

He is on a sand substrate, which came with the tank.

I haven't changed anything with regards to the set up other than the day length, from where he was kept before.

If needed I can take some pics.

Thanks,
Sean

 

[CooperDragon]

A nice big UVB bulb like that will be helpful. I advise removing the sand and cleaning the bottom of the tank. I'd replace it with a solid substrate that is easy to clean such as ceramic tile or non adhesive shelf liner. The sand can be very difficult to keep sanitary and can cause impaction if ingested.

 

[seandee]

Thanks Cooperdragon.

I intend to switch to a different substrate. I was thinking the sand sheets they use to line bird cages as he doesn't like gloss surfaces (so ceramic tiles probably wouldn't work.

I've also been beachcombing and picked up a nice piece of driftwood that will make a nice perch that he can climb and get closer to the UV bulb.

 

[CooperDragon]

Driftwood works really well for a perch. I've heard of people using the new sand mat from Exo-Terra with good results. Just be on the lookout for it flaking.

 

[Bluemonster107]

i love that new exo terra sand mat!!! i will say... i am a new adopter of an adult beardie myself... so its been a lot of trial an error of what works and i will say this site and the people are so helpful, patient and kind!! Thanks so much all!!....
anyway... the sand mat is super easy to clean and even spot clean for just a quick pick up. It is alot like sandpaper... so if the poop is a tad runny... not the super easiest... i did add a big piece of natural slate tile (16x16) just to give some variations..... SUPER SUPER easy to clean anything up off of... and natual warmth from the light and/or CHE... my adoted beardie loves the new addition (and only about 3 buck piece). I had that sand too... ditched it in a day after doing more research on it.... like i said... trial and error.
You will find great help here... no fear!!

 

[NewBeardie1]

Just be sure to bake your driftwood in the oven at 250 for about 30-45 mins to make sure harmful bacteria is killed.

 

[britjoejack]

Thanks Cooperdragon.

I intend to switch to a different substrate. I was thinking the sand sheets they use to line bird cages as he doesn't like gloss surfaces (so ceramic tiles probably wouldn't work.

I've also been beachcombing and picked up a nice piece of driftwood that will make a nice perch that he can climb and get closer to the UV bulb.

Use slate tiiles, they're not glossy at all. I Imagine Sand sheets are not at all easy to clean making them unsanitary.

 

[Bluemonster107]

I did just that and love it!!!! Got a huge 16x16 piece and then smaller.. Suuuuuuuper easy to clean up!!!!