Doris is having some health problems at the moment, and has just had (three weeks ago) antibiotics and deworming treatment. She also had probiotics for about two weeks after. Since then, and only on live food days, she has immediately gone to ‘bed’ at the cold end under a rock after eating her bugs. Even removing her and placing her on the basking spot only works for a minute or so.
This is obviously bad because basking is necessary for digestion, right? Does anyone know what might be causing her to do this?
I don't know what causes that behavior, I can share a story because my dragon had parasites and would hide after eating. What I did was keep moving her back to bask during the same times each day, whether she ate or not. Even if I had to keep her door open and pet her back to dissuade her from moving I had to be more persistent than her to remove the bad habit. I sat by her for hours if needed, out stubborn the dragon
My guess is her tummy might feel bad from medicine and whatever infection(s) she has, so that may be why she is hiding after eating.
I guess I haft to ask what kind of lighting do you have in the tank ? Where is the lighting placed like the UVB in the tank on top ? Is she basking at all? What are her basking temps and how are you taking them w/ infrared heat gun ? probe them? stick on?
Karrie
I don't know what causes that behavior, I can share a story because my dragon had parasites and would hide after eating. What I did was keep moving her back to bask during the same times each day, whether she ate or not. Even if I had to keep her door open and pet her back to dissuade her from moving I had to be more persistent than her to remove the bad habit. I sat by her for hours if needed, out stubborn the dragon
My guess is her tummy might feel bad from medicine and whatever infection(s) she has, so that may be why she is hiding after eating.
Thank for telling your experience, DorgEndo. Maybe she is just feeling poorly after eating because of the parasites, that sounds logical. It’s strange that it’s only after the insects though!
I guess I haft to ask what kind of lighting do you have in the tank ? Where is the lighting placed like the UVB in the tank on top ? Is she basking at all? What are her basking temps and how are you taking them w/ infrared heat gun ? probe them? stick on?
Karrie
Hi Karrie, Doris has an Arcadia tube across the top of the tank and a basking light and CHE above her rock. Temp with a gun on the basking spot is 104. She’s two, and still seems to like it hot! She’s basking all day, and into the evening, looking happy until after the insects when she goes straight to bed.
Ok so feed her the insects during the day so she has plenty of time to digest --- and you got the right lighting so I guess I would change her time shes eating those bugs --
Karrie