Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I have a question. I just recently redid the lighting set up in my beardies 90gallon tank. Before her basking spot was around 95degrees, and i have since upped it to 115. The temps are measured by a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer. The problem is, since i switched the lighting (3-4weeks ago) my beardie NEVER basks under her light any more. She is always on the cool side, and if she does bask its never in the hottest spot, its always off to the side or down lower where the temps are closer to 100degrees. What gives? I thought they prefered hotter basking temps? At first i thought she was just adjusting to the new heat and didnt think much of it, but its been about a month and she still wont go in her hot spot. Im worrying about the effect this might have on her. Any suggestions? Should I lower her temps back down to about 100, or is it severely detrimental to have lower basking temps?

thanks
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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

You're following the theory of, "If hot is good hotter must be better." There are proponents of this theory on this forum and on the uro forum.
My comment to them is, "Don't try to fool Mother Nature." I could go into evolution and Darwins theory on survival...., but it would be a waste of time and rather lengthy.
Why not just go back to what you have already proven works best?

Although I am fairly certain I have no idea what Darwin has to do with lighting your tank ..
I would suggest leaving your lighting system just how it is. Your beardie has a larger gradient to work with, let her pick where she wants to bask and at what temperature. Giving her a basking range that goes from 95 to 110 is great, if she wants it hotter, she can get it, and vice versa. As long as she has a cool spot to go to, I dont see any problems with your set up.

Hi,

Personally I would cross check the temps. In my experience indoor/outdoor thermometers are a poor tool for accurately reading the temperature of a specific point (like the hottest point of a basking spot)/they can get moved around very easily also. At best they give a general reading of ambient temps.

A point and shoot infrared gun is an invaluable tool for keeping reptiles. Then you can shoot an exact point at any time (cage conditions and temps change over the course of the day too) and know the temp.

Of course there may be other things going on with your animal or cage that are affecting the animals choices/behavior.

Our babies use temps well over 100 consistently and our juvi/adults are offered and use temps over 120. 95-100 is a very cool basking spot.

Good luck,

Ian

Where can i buy a temp gun?
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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

www.tempgun.com

for a cheap one.

www.raytek.com

for a nicer one.

Ian

I got the ProExotics on ebay for $25 = $5 s/h. (save $5 from tempgun.com I love it! com

here's the ebay vendor I used and it was shipped super fast, too!
temp gun

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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - For now his name is Kinky Boy
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha
Chameleon Help & Resource Info

Basking temperatures in excess of 120? Give me a break and your dragon too. These are bearded dragons not a uromastyx. If these animals thrived in 120 degree areas that is where they would be located.

Hi Spook,

I know you like to mix it up over this and your right it is fun and entertaining. Here are some pics of non-thriving animals, both adults and juvis, that use temps in excess of 120 on a daily basis. How do they look?

This animal was sitting under a lamp at the time I shot this. Temp is right around 130 on the surface. No one seems to have told her these temps are no good for her...

Here she is in better light (kind of)

Thanks,

Ian

I especially like the orange dragon in the first pic Ian
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Mystical-Dragons Web Site
Webshots photos

Thanks Matt . He is a great dragon. He's been hanging out with the lady in the pic lately - we'll see...

Here's a couple more pics of him

Eating some freshly thawed krill. Crazy dragon.

Nice to see you around.

Ian

Thanks for everyones responses! I think i will buy a temp gun pretty soon
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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

Ian, I'm glad you have pictures of colorful Dragons, but what's your point. You make your position suspect just by implying that physical appearance is proof of health or proof of your theory.

Spook,

Over the internet all we have is typed words and pictures. While pictures are not proof in and of themselves (heck they might not even be my dragons right?) they certainly go a step farther than words. Anyone can type (say) whatever they want on these forums.

If you have experience with dragons (I am assuming you do) or reptiles or even other animals, they generally do not show their best and brightest colors when they are sickly or otherwise in poor health. I intend for the pictures to show something. You say/imply that offering the temps I do is not good for the dragons. So I show you pictures of dragons, using those temps (they choose to - there are other areas of the cage with other temps which they also use)that show great color, and "look" in the pictures to be at the very least not sickly or in poor health.

So I am basing my opinions on what the dragons have shown me that they choose to use. And I am showing you pics of them using those temps (of course you must assume I am not a liar about the temps and the dragons and all of that).

You are basing your opinions on what? Not offering the temps I mention and seeing if your dragon(s) uses them - not seeing your dragon(s) use temps like that? Not seeing how/if those temps affect your dragons behaviors, appetite, colors etc.?

I don't believe there is a comparison between opinions formed on actual experience with something and opinions formed with no experience. To have a strong opinon on things you have not seen/experienced seems silly.

Show something - some pictures, your dragons, your set ups, your experience..........

Thanks,

Ian

Ian, grow up. I didn't call you a liar. I didn't say those weren't your dragons.
Let me try again and try not to take it personally. Why not raise your basking spot to 150 or 180 degrees? Won't that give them more of a choice? Why not coat what you feed your dragon heavily in calcium instead of a small controlled amount? Will they quit eating when they've had enough calcium? Why not put all the waxworms your dragon can eat down along with the other foods you feed them? Will they stop eating them when they hit a "healthy amount"? It's because there is a point of excess where too much is actually harmful. What is that point and is it worth experimenting on your pet? Not for me. I am aware of the environment they come from and the heat range they are exposed to, so I use that in my set ups. It's called the "optimal conditions." I am glad that extreme temperatures work for you; I hope they do for anyone that takes your advice.
Try this, since the suns rays, at an exposure of a few minutes a week, are good for humans; why isn't laying out in the sun for 2 or 3 or 4 hours even better?