Temperature gun

[Poodlin]

I see a lot of people saying they use a temperature gun to measure the temp inside the cage. Is this the kind people mean? If so, how do I measure the temps? Just point it at his basking area?
Thanks

 

[KarrieRee]

Yep
Karrie

 

[Claudiusx]

Moved by Moderator from General to Enclosures

 

[Claudiusx]

Hi there,

You are better off just getting a digital thermometer with probe end. They are easier to use and you don't need to worry about their accuracy based off the material you are measuring.

To not get too technical, temp guns rely on a specific calibration and a specific group of materials that fall in that calibration. If the material you are measuring isn't the type of material that your temp gun is calibrated for, you won't get accurate readings at all.
This can be compensated for by getting a temperature gun with an adjustable emissivity setting but even then, you'll have to know the emissivity of the item you are measuring.

Digital with probe end thermometers don't have this issue, and will work on basically any surface, including the air.

-Brandon

 

[Poodlin]

Some people says temp gun and others say probe thermometer. Which is better? Also is this the right one? Just don’t want to get the wrong thing.
Thanks

 

[KarrieRee]

You will use both - I use all 3 types I have a stick on for ambient temps the probe and the IR gun-- the digital is the one I have in the tank I have a ambient one stuck on the hot side and I use a IR gun for getting basking temps as well - if in doubt w/ the IR gun I use the digital
Karrie

 

[Poodlin]

Now one more question. I recently changed from crushed walnut shells to non adhesive shelf paper. Is it normal for them to try to eat it? It is even trying to eat his vine and branches now. He has never done this before? Is this just him tasting a new environment?
Thanks

 

[KarrieRee]

He should not be able to get any bites off the shelf liner unless it is loose in the tank -- and yes they lick everything that its why loose substrate is not good --- if the vine and stems are plastic its best you get them out of the tank
Karrie

 

[Poodlin]

Not loose. My nephew cut it for me. The vine is not plastic. I don’t know what it is. It looks like a wooden vine that is made with pipe cleaners and like a wooden coating around it. The branches are actual branches from a tree. I shaved the bark off of them and boiled them then wiped them down with vinegar and water. It seems he has quit trying to eat everything now.

 

[KarrieRee]

:lol: It seems he has quit trying to eat everything now.
-- ok some plants and vines are not bearded dragon free --- some are poisonous so I would find out what kind of vine it is --- you dont want something in the tank thats going to poison him
Karrie

 

[Poodlin]

I know I’m becoming a pain. Ever since I put the non adhesive shelf liner in my bearded dragons cage, which was about 3-4 days ago, he hardly moves and he hasn’t went to the bathroom. He is eating good though. Just not pooping. Is this normal since it is a new environment? Should I do anything?

Is it safe to feed them kale?
Thanks

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes on the kale-- It sounds like relocation stress and changing out the substrate may also make him stressful - alot of them dont like change -- What are you feeding him ? Also make sure the insects are not too big for him to eat -- you dont want him impacted--
Karrie

 

[Poodlin]

I’m feeding him crickets and black soldier fly larvae. Also
2-3 mealworms. I only feed him mealworms like 2 times a week. He eats plenty of crickets though he gets fed when he wakes up and bout 3 hours before he goes to sleep. Then in between that he gets a small salad since he is only 3 months old. He only eats a few bites of the salad though. The black soldier fly larvae he doesn’t really like that much. If he eats it with his little crickets he will only eat like 3-4 of them. If the black soldier fly larvae is by itself he will eat maybe 6-7. Other than that he will not eat much of anything else. The only worms he will eat are the mealworms. I don’t think he is impacted cause he was going 2 times a day before I switched him over to another tank. How long do they usually have stress after relocating them

 

[KarrieRee]

Not sure on how long relocation- depends on the dragon-- as he gets use to his surroundings the stress will subside- as long as he is eating basking and has good UVB No coils- he will do fine-- keep giving salads and use the bsfl as salad toppers- mealworms aren't real good for babies to much risk for impaction--- but if your only giving very little at a time you should be ok- you can look at getting small super worms some butter worms as well - only place I know that has butter worms is mulberry farms-
Karrie

 

[Poodlin]

Thanks for the help. Now another issue popped up within the last week. I don’t normally have a problem with ants. But for the past week they have been finding their way into my dragons cage. How can I keep them away. I tried Vaseline around top of the cage. I’ve tried double sided tape and I’ve even moved him to a different part of the room. Still get those little red ants. Like I’ve said never a problem till just recently and they are only getting in my dragons cage. How do I get them to leave him alone?
Thanks