Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was down at the neighbor's house a little while ago with Kismet and Sebastian. Both had their leashes on and were tethered where I could see them (but where they could not have physical contact with each other. It is a sunny day, 91 degrees and both had access to both sun and shade, food and water. Kismet (8 1/2 year old lewisi X nubila X n. caymanesis) thrives in this -- we've done this many times with her. She will go from sun to shade and I've taken her temp in the hundred and teens and she's been totally happy. Sebastian (18 month old lewisi X caymanesis), otoh, had me worried. He kept staying in the sun and then would start mouth breathing. I'd put him in the shade, but he wouldn't stay. I temped him at 109. He was panting and wouldn't go into the shade so I scooped him up and brought him home.

Reading Tom (Crutchfield)'s stuff I didn't think a Cyclura could overheat if he had access to shade. Is it different for very young Cyclura? Is this something I should be concerned about? Any idea why he wouldn't go into the shade if he was hot enough to mouth breathe? He seems fine.

I've kept many reptiles by now and notice that they will do what is necessary all by themselves given the right set up and enough space for different temperature gradient, unless of course, there was something that was bothering him (which is possible). Mouth breathing is normal...sometimes my bearded dragons and iguana would do it and nothing happened. I do make sure they get enough water everyday, though.