Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all

I was curious. My jackson likes to sit with his mouth open. He sits on a branch and just opens it up. I figured he was perhpas too warm so he was cooling off. I did a temp probe of the area and it is only 77F. If he was hot he has plenty of area to move down to. If he was hot - would he not just move?

His mouth looks good though. No MBD.

just curious if this could be anything else? Stress? He's been doing it only when he sits under his basking light. His color is a good green and a little blue. not splotchy or anything.

I was thinking maybe he likes the heat - but wants to cool off - but he does not get too hot..or something like that.

sigh - im like a worried father now.

Ill try to get a pic of him doing it.

-adam

The gaping mouth thing is normal. All mine do it from time to time. Usually during the heat of the day, to help in regulating temp. It also might help in the digestive process (gas build up)
Nothing to worry about.

Mine do it as well. I was really concerned when they started about a month and a half ago but they still do It and they are fine.
I would go with the helping digestion idea mine seem to do it more after they eat.

if he does it and it looks like he is vawning he is acually moving the food in his throut so he can swallow it. if he just sits on the branch and leaves his mouth open for long periods of time somthing is wrong.