What exactly is "Star Gazing?"

[WolfMama]

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that our beardie was looking up at the lights a lot. He did not do this all the time. He mostly did it under the UVB light. His head wasn't directly upward at a 90 degree angle.

This morning, I looked in and his head was more angled upward, closer to a 90 degree angle. He was under the basking light. I hadn't fixed the screen, yet, so it was under the UVB. I just fixed the UVB, and he moved under it, and now he's staring at the UVB light (but he's no longer near that 90 degree angle.).

Is this normal behavior? What exactly defines "star gazing?" Do they do it all the time, some of the time? Is it strictly at that 90 degree angle?

Thanks

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

That's a bit weird. It's not a topic I know much about, sorry - but I do know beardies with respiratory problems stargaze. I strongly suggest you check with a vet.

 

[WolfMama]

I don't know if what he is doing IS Star Gazing. :?

I thought I someone had mentioned to me at one point that it was when they did it all the time and at that 90-degree-like angle. It's the first time he held his head at that sharp of an angle and I got nervous. But, I haven't seen him do it since. I don't know if it starts off gradually, or if any of this is normal.

I guess, essentially, I need to know what Star Gazing really consists of.

That's a bit weird. It's not a topic I know much about, sorry - but I do know beardies with respiratory problems stargaze. I strongly suggest you check with a vet.

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

Beardies normally prefer to look up by tipping their heads sideways, and so utilising just one "superior" eye to look skywards for them. Their field of vision is very wide sideways, but not good in front of them - they're not designed for good telescopic sight like we are.

If his nose is pointing up at something for long periods of time for no good reason that you can see, chances are something isn't right. Check with a vet.

Silly question - there isn't a cricket or something, or something that LOOKS like a cricket up there, is there? A large locust hanging out on one of Jam's wire clips was driving her mad the other week.

 

[Drache613]

Hello!

True star gazing is seen constantly, with staring straight up with their head practically bent back almost. It is very bazaar looking in some cases.
Severe respiratory & or inner ear type of infections, as well as bacterial infections can cause disruptions in equilibrium & balance causing the star gazing.
Sometimes calcium issues that are severe & have caused nodules on the cervical area can cause balance & neurological issues, but hypocalcemia can contribute to balance disturbances, too.


I hope that helps.
Tracie

 

[WolfMama]

Thank you so very much, Tracie!!! And thank you, also, TheDragonKeepers

Okay, thankfully, he is NOT star gazing,then. That's a relief. He just likes to loop upward at the lamp throughout the day. I'm starting to wonder if that UVB lamp is emitting the proper amount. But he is growing very well

I'm glad to finally have the definition of star gazing. That's a relief

That's not a silly questin, TDK Makes sense I could see that happening. I didn't see a cricket up there. May have been the other morning when he did look straight up for those few moments. I just freaked when I saw him do that.

Thanks, again!

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

Is it flickering, and what basking lamp do you use?

 

[Brieana]

My little guy likes to bask with his head pointing up in the morning, when his light turns on. By the end of the day, when I come home from work, he's pancaked under his basking light. I was worried about stargazing at first, too, but since it isn't a constant thing, chances are everything is ok.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

You are welcome. The Star Gazing is a constant thing so if it is just every now & then I don't think there is a problem.
Most will look up from time to time at the lights or at you or just at the ceiling! LOL
How is he doing today?

Tracie

 

[WolfMama]

Thank you, TheDragonKeepers, Brieana, and Tracie (in order of appearance. )

Is it flickering, and what basking lamp do you use?

No, it’s not flickering. I’d heard that they should be changed every 6 months. Honestly, If they don’t show obvious signs of wear, I could really see people returning these to the store in 6 months just so they don’t have to pay for a new one (sorry, I know people who do really wrong stuff such as buying stuff for a vacation, using it, and returning it when they are done with it. As much as we struggle financially… that’s just wrong, IMO.). I’ll have to show a pic of his set up. The fluorescent lamp goes across the front (I pull back the screen when I’m home and Velcro it in place leaving excess hanging off in back. If I’m not home, I have to slide the screen back.). The basking lamp is to the right of the viv, behind the fluorescent (otherwise it burns it.). He will lay under the basking a little bit, but not often. He NEVER goes to the cool side of the viv (did when we first adopted him, but that’s probably because he was so accustomed to it. He was the trampled on one in the Pet Shop and dominant ones took those spots). He goes as high as he can to bask right under the fluorescent lamp and stays there most of the time.

My little guy likes to bask with his head pointing up in the morning, when his light turns on. By the end of the day, when I come home from work, he's pancaked under his basking light. I was worried about stargazing at first, too, but since it isn't a constant thing, chances are everything is ok.

that’s pretty much what our little beardie does. He’ll do it during the day, too. When he’s tuckered, he lays out the same way (or after eating when he wants a full bask). Glad I’m not the only one who was having concerns about what star gazing actually was.

Hello,
You are welcome. The Star Gazing is a constant thing so if it is just every now & then I don't think there is a problem.
Most will look up from time to time at the lights or at you or just at the ceiling! LOL
How is he doing today?
Tracie

He only did the head twist directly up that one time. Really scared me! If I rub his chin he seems to move his head more upward then he used to. Maybe he’s just becoming more flexible? :? Tracie, check my replies above. It pretty much describes what he is doing.

He just woke up He seems fine. Not staring straight up. His breathing still seems a bit heavy to me, though. I’m going to video it later and repost to the “Breathing Heavy” thread. Please check there and let me know what you think when you have a chance? Right now he’s waking up and just tilting his cute little head about

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It sounds like it is just a behavior pattern with him but not the typical star gazing. He must love to be petted under his chin. A lot of them do. If he did not get much light previously then that may explain why he tries to get right up under it now & spends so much time underneath of it also.
How is he doing today?
I have not looked at the breathing heavy video yet.

Tracie

 

[WolfMama]

Hello,

It sounds like it is just a behavior pattern with him but not the typical star gazing. He must love to be petted under his chin. A lot of them do. If he did not get much light previously then that may explain why he tries to get right up under it now & spends so much time underneath of it also.
How is he doing today?
I have not looked at the breathing heavy video yet.

Tracie

He does! He loves to be pet under the chin! When I first started visiting him in the pet shop, I nuzzled with my nose under his chin, too. He likes that (Pet shop said no nuzzling or kissing. LOL. I broke both rules ).

You are right, Tracie. I have to share our photobucket and the comments I've made since setting it up. He NEVER was in the basking spots at the pet shop! The first night here, he went on top of the cave (which is not in the basking spot) and claimed it. He was NEVER able to go on top of that in the pet shop, either. The basking spots and top of the cave were always claimed by the domiant beardies and he was always the quiet, trampled on one

He, actually, never goes to the cool end of the viv. He always stays at the basking end, but not directly under the basking light (only does that sometimes as he feels needed). And his favorite is directly under the UVB lamp.

I haven't been able to upload the video clip. I'll try today. I'll definitely let you know when I get it uploaded. Had problems with uploads yesterday and Wednesday.

Last night he was asleep in our arms (yes, he's rocked to sleep ), and he reminded me of my husband with his sleep apnea. He didn't look like he was breathing (very subtle as it used to be), and then he'd take several huge deep breaths. That's how he was breathing the whole time he was sleeping in our hands.

Thanks, Tracie!!!