Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just replaced a bulb in my tank froma 100 watt to a 150 watt basking light and shes been hiding a lot and sleeping to she doesnt like to sit under the light anymore just under her hammock. I dont understand i thought beardies like higher temps. is there any way to get her to like it? originally the temps were at 90 now they are at 104-110. thanks

Is it just a regular household bulb or is it a flood lamp? I tried a flood lamp in my beardies tank one time and she HATED it. I think the light was just too concentrated for her. If yours is a flood lamp or spot light you might try a regular household bulb..

I just recently got done switching my basking lamps around to improve temps and i have found its best if in the basking spot your lizard has several different basking temps to bask in. For example, in the hottest part of my beardies basking spot it is 120degrees, but she has several differnt "ledges" to choose from that range anywhere from 100degrees. Making it so they can choose their optimum temperature is great for your lizard and makes them much more comfortable.

Also, how hot is the cool side of your tank now that you put a higher bulb in. Maybe the tank is too hot overall and your beardie is just trying to beat the heat?

And also, it could just be that she is getting uised to the change in light intensity!

Good luck!
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

its a 150 watt sun glo terranium daylight lamp tight beam basking spot light
thats what the box says

Have you checked the temp on the cool side of the cage? Maybe the higher watt bulb is making it too hot overall?
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

how long have you had the beardie?? wild caught or captive bred?? in austalia they are on a different cycle then in america. our spring and summer is their winter....she could be going dormant for a few months...just coincidince that u just changed bulb.....just a thought.......

I am one of those silly people who doesn't believe if 90 degrees is good 110 degrees must be better. The ideal temp for the basking area for a Beardie is 90-100 degrees. I try to maintain as close to 95 degrees as possible and have had good success.
Your Dragon will have two primary uses for the basking area:
1) To warm up when it wakes up
2) Assist in the digestive process.
They will normally go into the basking area before they eat and sometime afterwards. Other than that they may or may not spend much time there depending on their comfort.