Reptile & Amphibian Forums

why is Bob hiding all the time please refer to post below for info. he is a pinnacle of health could he be trying to hibernate/brumate or whatever?

ken
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0.1 Albino Cal. King (Fokker)
1.0 Reverse Okeetee Corn (trouble)
0.1 Creamsicle Corn (Spot)
1.1 Bearded Dragons (Bob & Margret)
1.1 Dogs(George and Ladybird) they are rescues.
1.0 Betta
0.1 Wife
0.1 Kid

If all husbandry conditions are met and he's got a clean bill of health from the vet like you say, then the only things I can think of is he is either trying to brumate or he's going through a lazy stage. Either way don't sweat it, he'll come out of it eventually. If you want him to brumate, start decreasing your light cycles and take away the food before you go to darkness. Keep an eye on his weight and if you see any significant loss get him back to the vet, something is wrong but otherwise just let him do his thing.

Sean
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Heart Mountain Herps

First, have patience. Second, if you do not have a good thermometer in the cage, please get one. It shouldn't cost you more than $10. If you have no thermometer, or a cheap one, the temps may not be accurate. If it is too low, that could be the reason he is hiding. If it is appropriate, but towards the lower end of the spectrum, you could try raising the temp slightly by moving to the next highest wattage bulb, or adding a bulb. If you're using say, a 100 watt bulb, going up to a 150 may bring the temps up too much, but adding a 25 watt may be just right. I can't say for sure though, and you would have to test things out too be sure.
Otherwise, if everything is truly correct, he may just be one to brumate early. Usually they don't go till a few months later, and some won't at all. However, it would not be unheard of for a dragon to brumate early. If that's what's going on, there isn't much you can do to stop it. Since he has been checked out by a vet and is in good health, there is really no reason to make an attempt at stopping. The case would of course be different if there was a health issue. Then you might be told to keep him awake so that the problem could be treated. That of course would really be up to you and the vet to discuss.
The only other thing I can think of is that perhaps you were feeding him something different, and he is holding out for it. If they like a certain food better, they may hold out to get it. I've already forgotten whether or not you said he was eating normally or just a little bit. If you have recently removed something from the diet, or gave him something new, he could be holding out in the hopes that you will give him the desired item again. This happens with waxworms sometimes. If they get them for a few days and then go back to crickets, they may in a sense save room for waxworms because they are hoping to get it again. If that's it, just wait it out and he'll start eating again.
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3.0.0 Bearded Dragons Woodrow, Dexter, Tehko (My first beardie Griffin who turned me crazy, and Erik my Rankins, who will remain a midget- deceased)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)

thanks for the info. i have a infrared temp gun, and digital thermometer and they are both the same 100 even. everything else is perfect. i raised the temps to 105 this weekend and nothing and lowered it and nothing. he comes out to warm up and eat and poop but then goes right back into his hide box.
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0.1 Albino Cal. King (Fokker)
1.0 Reverse Okeetee Corn (trouble)
0.1 Creamsicle Corn (Spot)
1.1 Bearded Dragons (Bob & Margret)
1.1 Dogs(George and Ladybird) they are rescues.
1.0 Betta
0.1 Wife
0.1 Kid

Since all is well he is probably getting ready to brumate. Not much else for you to do other than wait anxiously for him to come out.
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3.0.0 Bearded Dragons Woodrow, Dexter, Tehko (My first beardie Griffin who turned me crazy, and Erik my Rankins, who will remain a midget- deceased)
1.0.0 Cat- the regular variety (Dominic- fat cat)
0.1.0 Dog- Lab mix(Betty- escape artist extraordinaire)
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider (Franklin)