strange behavior

[rex2311]

So my 8 month bearded dragon is perfectly healthy but will go in his cave and sleep or go on the cool side and stay there till I pick him up. At first I thought it was his hot side being to hot so I tried many different temps but he still does it. first he will act normal, thermal regulates, and eats all his food but then he will randomly do it till I take him out to explore then he plays like he should. but once I put him back the cycle starts again. As for sleep he gets 12 hours so anyone know what this is and how to fix it.

Oh and I forgot to mention he poops regularly, once a day to be precise.

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. Can you give a rundown of his set up?

 

[rex2311]

20 gallon tank with small cave that his gets on top of for basking spot 24 inch reptisun 10.0 UVB 100W exoterra basking bulb with a reptile rug as susbstrait. Basking spot is currently 105 degrees F, hot side is about 95 F cool side is 80 F some times 70 F he sleeps from 8 PM to 8 AM humidity currently 35%. I feed him once in the morning and once in the after noon he eats all of It. He eats kale spinage and crickets very active and spastic when not sleeping, he also loves interaction and exploring the house.

Just bought a 40 gallon but need to disinfect it before use.

That enough info?

 

[destiny1998]

Thanks how are you taking temps? The basking bulb you have might be to much heat for a 20 gallon. Hopefully with the 40 it'll be better. I use a 75 watt halogen flood bulb in a 40 and the basking temp stays around 100 to 105. So thats why I'm thinking the 100 watt is a little much. Also kale and spinach are ok to feed once in a while. They bind calcium. Better greens are mustard, collared, endive, dandelion, bok choy. Here is a site to go by beautifuldragons.com.

 

[rex2311]

Yeah I thought the 40 gallon would make it better as for the 75 watt If I use that his basking spot only gets to 80 F but that has a lot to do with where you live so It must be warmer where you are cause my basking spot is about 105 F.

 

[destiny1998]

Nope I live in Montana that was the temp in the winter. The halogen get warmer than a standard bulb or the basking bulbs you buy in the pet store. They are also cheaper and last longer. Right now its in the 70s and they sit on the window ledge and bask with the window open.

 

[rex2311]

How do you even get a holgen light to work in a bearded dragon tank I dont even know where to buy a lamp and how to set theses things up for a basking spot.

Actually, would you post a pic so I can have an idea.

 

[destiny1998]

The halogen bulb fits in a dome light fixture and that sits on top of the screen. Make sure your screen is metal. Plastic screen will melt as I found out the hard way when I first got my beardie

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from Health to Enclosures