Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've noticed my beardie several times sitting with his mouth open and I was wondering if this was normal?
He usually does it when he's sitting in his basking area which I have monitored for temp and it shows a good range from 90-105 on average. The lower part of the cage is lower, depending on what the outside air is as his cage is outside. Sometimes he does it in the bottom of the cage as well.
I had heard they "gape" when they are too hot but they also do it when they are startled as part of their defensive display so it could just be me walking up on him and startling him. He's got plenty of temp range in his cage so he should be able to regulate himself, I'm just worried maybe he's just stupid and sitting in too close to the basking light for too long.
Am I just worrying too much?

Quickbeam

Sounds normal to me. They do that to help thermoregulate. If he was doing it constantly I would be worried as some parasites can cause that, but from what you said I would say you got nothing to worry about. He's just keepin his temps at a comfortable range. As long as he has the good gradient with a cool spot he's fine
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Mystical Dragons

Figure it like this:

he is trying to get his body warm to let his gut process his food. but at the same time he does not want to cook his brain.

so he sits in the heat and opens his mouth so that his wet mouth can "Air Condition" his head.

see how that works?? he can't sweat like you or I ....

just be sure he can get enough watter so he is not drying out.
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