Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My dumerils who is maybe eight months old is acting very strange all of a sudden tonight he started moving around very rapidly about his cage. He is moving almost like a robot or maybe like he is hunting it is scaring me because he is usually pretty laid back and not super fast. He is almost moving like my argus moves. Could this be a neurological thing? It was almost like a dog waking up from a bad dream and was really freaked out. Should I be alarmed by this or am I over reacting? He has not had any unusual food items nor was any type of cleaner used in his cage aside from hot water. I keep him on a few inches of cypress with a temp gradient 130F to 75F. If anyone has seen this before please let me know.

thanks in advance

Doug

Personally I think the 130f is a bit high.
I keep my dumerilii at 75 on the far end, and 95-100f right under the light which is also halfway over the water trough and base of the enclosure.
As far as behavior goes, they will act nutty at times, I wouldn't worry to much.
Heck, if I was put into a cage all by myself I'd be finding ways to entertain myself too!!lol
email me and I can send you some pics of my enclosure if you like.
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Greg Holland
G&M HERPS
www.imageevent.com/gmherps
gmherps@sbcglobal.net

That can be a problem. Describe a bit better whats happening and give surface and air temps.

When I say 130 that is one single basking spot at the far end of the cage. I have him in the vision 400 so he does have a decent amout of room to thermoregulate as I have no lights on the other end of the cage. Plus he has 3 hiding spots in that cage aside from hiding in the cypress substrate. Also can you get the surface temp of a spot with a digital thermometer with a probe or do I need a tempgun or similar? When I said 130 that is the probe sitting on a rock directly below a 50 watt halogen flood. If you guys think this is too hot I will swap it out. He has been in this enclosure for about 2 months now. I got him when he was about 7 in and now he is up to 32 since the end of April so he seems to be doing well otherwise. Also do you guys think it could be from to much minerall? I have been dusting every second feeding.Please advise.

Thanks

Doug

But if hes in a cage 48x28x18 inches he might not be able to escape the heat at 32 inches in length, nor can he enjoy digging in substrate in a cage that doesnt allow you to put more than 3-4 inches in it. I used a vision once for a few weeks while I built a cage that was suitable, they are designed for snakes etc not monitors.

I have about 4 or 5 inchs of cypress in there at some spots. You suggest that he should have alot more? How much dirt do you keep sobek on? do you have any pics of her cage? She is a beautiful animal.. I always wanted a BT/WT but I would not have the room to house another herp especially one that size. Thanks for your help.

Doug

Im hoping soon to be building a cage, depends when I move into the new house etc.