I am confused with your description of last night's events. You turned off the lights during the day? Or was it already at night?



In a cool room, or one that is air conditioned, dragons will get cold if not provided adequate heat and become very inactive and 'stiff'. Once warmed up again, they should be fine, provided they aren't exposed to too cold temperatures (they can die or develop respiratory problems if kept too cold all the time, or exposed to temperatures below 50F for prolonged periods).



If the heat has been off 3 or more hours, it isn't a good idea to offer food right away. Temps should be back up to normal and lights on for at least half hour before food is offered, to give your dragon a chance to warm up. They can't digest food if they are too cold. It is also good not to feed anything if there is less than 2 hours before lights out for the night.



As already recommended, its best to use a timer to ensure lights go on and off at regular interviews, to simulate the sun rising and falling. a 12-14 hour day cycle is best, with all lights and heat turned off at night, providing the room stays between 55-70F at night.



If you are worried about the hot heat lamp being a fire hazard, make sure you are using a ceramic fixture, do not have a bulb with higher watts than the socket is rated, make sure its securely fixed (or better yet, mounted inside the cage, high enough above the basking area your dragon can't reach, or in a wire 'cage' to protect from getting in contact with bulb). Clamp lights are ok, but only if you don't have kids or other animals around who may knock it off accidentally.
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PHLdyPayne



Forum Princess

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