Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have only just got him today and he is my first lizard. i have done research and got him from a good store. his is small and has eaten ok but now he is sat near his heat lamp with his mouth wide open. he hasn't had anything to drink but the water bowl i have got it exactly the same type as the one the store had. please help probalbly worrying about nothing but really want to get it right.
Kay

Gaping is used to help thermoregulate. I would double check the temperature on the basking spot with either a digital therometer with probe (place probe directly on the basking spot) or a temp gun. For baby dragons the basking temp should be between 100-115F.

Another reason why he has his mouth open, especially if he also has his beard extended is he is trying to scare you away. Being in a new home with a new owner is stressful for a little dragon. It often takes a week or two for them to settle in.
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PHLdyPayne

Thankyou. he has been really good with me handeling him because i went to see him many times before i baught him adn he wasn't near the vivarium when he was holding his mouth open. i haven't got a really good thermometer. i am going to invest in a better one. Thankyou fro your help. will he start drinking do you think or should i try and get a shallower bowl?
Thank you
Kay

i read that 100 degrees will "cook" a baby beardie - i'm also new to this myself so i've been going through care sheet over care sheet and summaries of various beardie books so i'm not 100% positive on that. so should the temp be a little lower? like 95F basking while the other side of the tank is down at 85F or so?

and i learned that water should be in a very shallow dish so the beardies can see what's in it when they're around - and that they should be misted a couple times a day so they can drink the water up from that if they can't find the water bowl~
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0.0.2 Fire Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
1.0.0 Crested Gecko (Vas-D)
0.0.2 Goldfish (Lenny & Carl)
1.0.0 Black Lab / Pit Bull (Mikey)

There is a difference between basking temp and air temperature. Basking temperatures (ie surface) need to be at least 95F and no higher than 115F. Babies benefit from the higher temperature in the range because they need to digest food fast to keep up to their dietary needs.

The air temperature of the cage shouldn't be more than 85F
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PHLdyPayne

Thanks PHLdyPayne,

That did clear up some thoughts I did have. Yesterday, I ordered a temp gun from www.tempgun.com (saw their ad on the forum) so I can get closer to exact temps than the little guages that you stick to the window. I'm excited to get it
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0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Cookie Monster)
1.0.0 Crested Gecko (Vas-D)
0.0.2 Fire Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
0.0.2 Goldfish (Lenny & Carl)
1.0.0 Black Lab / Pit Bull (Mikey)