Posted by:
PHLdyPayne
at Thu Jun 17 17:07:43 2010 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by PHLdyPayne ]
Dragon skin/scales is very thick and can block quite a bit of UVB as required. Dragons also lighten in color when they are warmed up and soaked up enough UVB rays...
In this case, the dragon overheated. Any cage placed outside for dragons to bask in natural sunlight should have adequate areas of shade so they can move into cooler areas as needed. Screen cages will allow some heat to dissipate but in direct sunlight, it won't help at all to prevent a dragon for overheating, unless there is a strong cool breeze blowing through it.
When it gets in the high 80's or more here, the air temperature is oppressive...even in the shade, especially when the humidity is high. In the summer here (in southeast Ontario, Canada) humidity can be as high as 100% which makes it difficult to be out in.
On a hot day, having your dragon outside for 15-20 minutes to a half hour..is more than enough to expose them to plenty of UVB to last them all day. It would have been better if you brought your dragon back inside as soon as you noticed her gaping. Temperature gradients in an outside cage, temporary or otherwise, is just as important as the cage indoors. More so giving ambient temperatures can get alot hotter in many areas during the summer.
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PHLdyPayne
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RE: Is it the sunlight that kills or heat? - PHLdyPayne, Thu Jun 17 17:07:43 2010