Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, so i haven't posted anything on kingsnake in years, & I'm a snake guy. I admit it. So after doing some research the past month or so, (& much begging from my daughters, 1 in particular), I brought home my 1st little baby beardie today, about 5" to the tip of his tail. I know how to read all my snakes behavior, and the only lizards ive ever owned were tegus & monitors. But tonight, my new little beardie wants to sleep almost standing up against the glass, on his hind feet. We've taken him out twice, and he naps in our hands. After he goes back in, within a few minutes, he goes back to the same position somewhere.

To start, his set up (which is mostly things i already had):

-20g high tank, w screen top
-An exo-tera 15w, 10.0 uvb florescent bulb (brand new)
-A 75w incandescent spot heat bulb
-a large bit of driftwood that he can (& has) climb with a platform about 8-10" beneath the heat lamp
-some cheap cage carpeting for now(I've read the babies can get impacted if they accidentally eat sand?)

Both lights had been off for hours, no heat source, ambient cage temp was 77-78.
After he was in his new cage, i put a few phoenix worms and some shredded butternut squash lightly dusted w some exo-terra calcium+D3 powder (no phosphorus), which he hasn't eaten.
is he trying to cool off, resting his belly on the cool glass? i know he is still adjusting to his new home, but it just looks weird & uncomfortable, & kinda reminds me of star gazing boas, which I'm sure it has nothing to do with.

So is this a weird behavior? Or am I just worried over nothing and should let it go a few days? Hes just so damn cute, lots of oranges & reds on his back and ears, and LOTS of bright citrusy greenish yellow spikes (is that the proper beardie term?) on his back.

I'm probably worried over nothing, i just haven't read much on normal young beardie behavior.

Thanks for any help

Dave

I am assuming by 'lights off now' means its night time and he's sleeping. Dragons will sleep in the most oddest positions. Nothing to be worried about. I had mine sleep clinging to the screen door (side door, not top) throughout the night but come morning, was in her basking spot.

I wouldn't offer food at all near lights out...you don't want food to sit in his stomach, when its too cool for proper digesting. Feed no closer than 2 hours before lights out to ensure adequate digestion.

Basking temps should be 100-120F for babies, with several areas of the basking area to give different temps within that range so he can choose where he wants to bask. Of course you do want cooler areas, with cool end about 75-80F or there abouts during the day. It should drop below 75F at night, down to about 65F (though cooler drops to 60F is fine occasionally, especially in winter)

The tank you have now, will be fine for a couple months, but best to prepare a larger cage, to move him once he's 14" head to tail tip. I typically recommend a 30 or 35 gallon long tank for babies till they reach about 14" long...then a move to the adult cage of a minimum of 4'x2' of floor space and height ranging from 18" to 24". Bigger is of course, better, for adults.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

I have a 6 month old and he used to stand against the glass like that too. He did it alot in the beginning but not so much as he got older. He'll do it when there are a bunch of kids in here and there is alot of noise and excitement. I agree his warm spot should be warmer that the 70'S.
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Anne
East Coast Reptile Supply
www.eastcoastreptile.com