Reptile & Amphibian Forums

okay, so i have 3 dragons that are all about 5 months old. Obvioulsy its been getting colder around here (iowa) and the last 2 or 3 nights my beardies have been displaying a behavior that i've never seen from them. Almost immediately after the lights go out, the 2 larger dragons run down from their basking spots, and start scratching at the floor, almost like they're trying to burrow. They do this for a few minutes, then give up. I have a space heater in my room but the night temps are a little lower than a few weeks ago(obvioulsy). It was about 70F in my room when i went to bed last night.

Is this a sign of burmation? if so, isnt 5 months too young to start burmating?? I have another space heater, should i plug it in to keep the night temps up a little higher?

They're on paper towels for substrate, so they're not gonna get very far by digging, but they sure are ripping up the towels good!! Just curious..Thanx for any input!
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**Am I the only one that gets frustrated when I cant find just plain old white paper towels?? I dont want any dorky lookin flowers in my snake or dragon cages! Its the little things in life that bother me....**

1.2 Bearded Dragons. Chong, Cheech, Unnamed
0.1 Anery Motley Corn. Cleopatra
1.0 Creamsicle Corn. Faunzy
1.1 Black Labs. Buddy, Booger
1.0 Room mate. Clayton - requires more clean up than my pets.

np
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**Am I the only one that gets frustrated when I cant find just plain old white paper towels?? I dont want any dorky lookin flowers in my snake or dragon cages! Its the little things in life that bother me....**

1.2 Bearded Dragons. Chong, Cheech, Unnamed
0.1 Anery Motley Corn. Cleopatra
1.0 Creamsicle Corn. Faunzy
1.1 Black Labs. Buddy, Booger
1.0 Room mate. Clayton - requires more clean up than my pets.

I didn't answer cause I;ve never had the experience of brumating my dragons yet...... However, I have read some things...

I would definately plug in the other heater... I would say that they are trying to burrow in a bit to stay warmer at night. Adding a little square box with bran might help as well as it would give them a "digging box" to "cover up" in.... Usually dragons don't brumate their first year but i believe i've heard that some do... I don't think this is the case with your dragons though... I think they just need some extra warmth at night..... Or maybe they just want to feel a little more secure and the bran box would be sufficient for that.

Later,
Robert
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A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,
adored by little statesmen, philosophers and divines.
Ralph Emerson

Even though it doesn't get that cold in my house I use a black light heat bulb for them at night. They seem cozier (is that a word?!?!?) and more comfortable. Makes me feel better too! lol!

Good luck!

marilee

I have 2 adult beardies that do the same thing. I installed a substrate heater that is on a timer. It cuts on 1 hour before the lights go out & cuts off an hour before they come on. Both my dragons have hides which the use to sleep in at nigh most of the time. I have sand as a substrate though, so a box for them to dig in might not be a bad idea.
Lance

Thanx for the input guys. i'm definitly gonna plug in that extra heater and i may even get black lights for my cages. Especially since we just got our first snow fall of the year today. I'll probably add a box of bran for each cage as well. Is that the same as wheat bran, like some people eat like a cereal? Anyways, thanx again for the response. I guess i really need to learn patience. Gotta go clean cages.

PEACE!
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**Am I the only one that gets frustrated when I cant find just plain old white paper towels?? I dont want any dorky lookin flowers in my snake or dragon cages! Its the little things in life that bother me....**

1.2 Bearded Dragons. Chong, Cheech, Unnamed
0.1 Anery Motley Corn. Cleopatra
1.0 Creamsicle Corn. Faunzy
1.1 Black Labs. Buddy, Booger
1.0 Room mate. Clayton - requires more clean up than my pets.