There are several things about this setup that doesn't work in my opinion. The big round rock isn't the most effective. Babies may be able to scamper up and down on it but once your dragon gets older, that rock is going to be less effective. Also, it will put your dragon too close to the basking light. Remember dragons do have their own depth/height even when sprawled out so a bulb that is about 5" above the basking spot may in fact be as close as 3" to the dragon's back while lying down and even closer to its head. Far too easy for the dragon to actually touch the surface of the bulb and get a burn when its this close. The basking spot shouldn't be closer than 6" to the basking spot, though I prefer to keep it at 8" as a minimum to ensure no accidental contacts with the bulb.



The piece of wood is also useless. It is far to narrow to be comfortable for a dragon to bask on, especially after they grow a bit. I see too many cage setups with skinny grapevine basking areas which really are ineffective. Find a wide low piece of driftwood (such as I have in the picture below) which provides plenty of places to bask and sprawl out on and isn't difficult to climb nor dangerous to fall off from for a little dragon.



The picture does make the cage look dark but taking pictures of a lit up cage with a cell phone camera (never understood why people buy cellphones with cameras...since they almost always take such crappy pictures...when its very easy to buy a decent digital camera for under $100 these days--sorry personal pet peeve, not a hit against all those who have cellphones with cameras). If it does look that dark in person, I suggest getting a double florescent fixture running the length of the cage. Put your UVB 10 bulb you have now into it, then a regular full spectrum bulb into the other fixture. (these are the typical ones you can buy for under $5 at any hardware or department store) This will give you alot more light running the length of the cage without increasing ambient temperatures in the cool end.



I think part of the reason your dragon is skittish is it sees you suddenly...as there is no viewing off the sides of the cage and a low traffic office would mean it doesn't see anything for long stretches of the day. It may be a good idea to read in your office, or do some other low movement activity for a few hours a day to get him used to there being somebody in the room. Eventually he will see that the big scary thing isn't a predator out to eat him. Talking to your dragon (as silly as it may sound) will get him to recognize your voice..so you can start talking before you come into the dragon's line of sight...especially when its feeding time. The prospect of food coming when it hears your voice may help encourage him to stay out in the open, anticipating your arrival.







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PHLdyPayne

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