Strange behaviors

[angelpaws]

Hello!
I am a new beardie owner. There are two things that my Zoey is doing that I want to be sure is ok - I was hoping maybe some other folks have seen these same bahviors and so I wont have to worry!

I noticed my beardie napping. Shes a very active, very curious beardie so this made me wonder. There is a site near her basking light (on a branch) where she likes to sleep at night - it is here she just ran up to today and looked as though he was gonna go to sleep. Her coloration is normal nad she appears content. She opens her eyes every few moments to see what it is I am doing but began to doze off again. IS this ok?

The other thing was puffing her beard out. She did it only once and without any provocation. It was just for a second and when i went to investigate she put it away and was normal. It occured early in the morning when I was waking her - typically, I turn the UVA-UVB light on first for a bit, then I turn the basking light on. (I dont want to shock her awake!)

Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[Luthien]

Beardies don't really shock awake. I have my lights on a timer and my beardies do wonderful on it, the timer comes on at 9 am and goes off at 10 pm. What kind of lights do you have for her and what are her temps? Sometimes if their too cold they will go to sleep, or is she shedding or going to shed? Another thing is brumation. Has she cut back on her intake of food any?

As for the beard puffing up with no provocation that is normal for beardies. They need to excersize those muscles and that's how they do it. As she gets older she will do it less and less.

 

[angelpaws]

I have the reptisun 50 and a the basking light is a 50 watter. THe tank is only a 10 gallon as shes 8 inches right now.

I turn the UVA/UVB light on @8:30am and I turn the basking light on about an hour after that to simulate a normal days rising temps. THe temp gets to about 90-105 degrees at the basking site. Which she never sits directly under. I have a cheapo therm so I'll keep an eye on the temps just incase.

I would think (i could be wrong) that she is too young for brumation, no? She eats like a horse! LOL. In fact, she had just finished eating about 10 little crickets before assuming the "nap". She had just finished undergoing a nice full shed about 3 days ago - "our" first shed (im sure shes done it before at the pet store since I got her only about two weeks ago).

Im glad to hear the beard puffing is normal - it sorta reminded me of yawning.

 

[Luthien]

90 is a little cool for the basking spot, young beardies need it even hotter then older beardies so the closer you can get it to 110F the better.

Yes she is too young for brumation (Sorry didn't catch the age). I'm betting since she's eating normal and going to the bathroom normal (I assume) it's because she's too cool. Does she darken down in colour any when she "naps"?

When beardies are too cool and need more heat they will go to a darker colour to attract heat and just lay there to soak it in.

 

[angelpaws]

Hi again,

Zoey's never darkened in color. Except at night when the basking light goes off - its like shes trying to get whats left of the heat. The weird thing is she never tries to gets closer to the basking light. I keep thinking the therm is wrong - Assuming the spot is 90 degrees and she were cold, wouldnt she try to get closer to it? or spend more time near it? I've not seen her do the nap thing again either. Litter bugger, its tough to keep everything perfect!

Eating seems very normal - She poops well too. Not always every day (more like every other) but nice full poo when she does go. Shes not sluggish either.

Thanks for your feedback, it helps make sure Im watching all the important things.

 

[Luthien]

No problem. It sounds like you have a nice healthy dragon, if I can give you any advice it would be to just try and get that basking spot up to the 105F mark. It might sound very hot to us but they love it and it helps with their digestion.

 

[angelpaws]

Thanks Will do!

Im planning on purchasing a 75w basking bulb to get the heat up alittle more - then when she gets alittle bigger, we'll invest in a bigger cage and I can get the 100watt bulb.

Thanks again!

 

[angelpaws]

So today I saw my beardie doing the wave to a cricket! LOL! :lol: It was just before he tried to eat it!
Whats with that! I've got to look this up! :study:
He's also laying down IN his salad bowl. Ive never seen this before. My beadie is a pure goof!

I should also add that I found out SHE..is a HE! Darn! LOL! I was hoping fpr a girl!

 

[Luthien]

LOL if there is one thing I will always say about beardies it's....they all have awesome personalities!!