Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I had quite the scare last night. I went out for a few hours and I turned my beardies basking light off (like i always do when I leave [as a fire safety] I was only gone maybe 3 hours.) His tank stayed regulated. It is in a warm room so it stayed where it should. ( i did check) I came home and I went to check to feed him and he was clenched on to his plant. He was pale and very cold. His limbs were stiff and he wasnt moving. I moved him from the plant and he was so stiff. He just layed in the same position for about 10 minutesl I thought he was dead. This morning I went to clean his tank and get rid of him and he was on his rock moving. I fed him right away and he ate. I will keep a close watch on him. But does anyone know what happened and what I could do to prevent it from happening again?

Use a timer for the heatlamp. I run a timer and a surge protector strip socket deal. Has like 6 plugs. So run the heat and uvb together to come on at the same time.

Set the time you want the lights/heat to come on. Mine come on at 10am right now and go off at 8pm.

Offer hides and put the lights/heat at one end only so the dragon can self regulate.

Being cold blooded it most likely cooled down. They become very inactive when they cool down.

Set up a digital timer so the dragon has set times for on/off.

good luck
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How cold is the room? My beardie sleeps every night without any heat light and I have never had a problem. The lights will be safe as long as you make sure you are using a ceramic fixture. Mine are on a timer. They come on at 7am and off at 7pm. My reptile room never drops below 70 degrees.

I do think this is very strange.

I am confused with your description of last night's events. You turned off the lights during the day? Or was it already at night?

In a cool room, or one that is air conditioned, dragons will get cold if not provided adequate heat and become very inactive and 'stiff'. Once warmed up again, they should be fine, provided they aren't exposed to too cold temperatures (they can die or develop respiratory problems if kept too cold all the time, or exposed to temperatures below 50F for prolonged periods).

If the heat has been off 3 or more hours, it isn't a good idea to offer food right away. Temps should be back up to normal and lights on for at least half hour before food is offered, to give your dragon a chance to warm up. They can't digest food if they are too cold. It is also good not to feed anything if there is less than 2 hours before lights out for the night.

As already recommended, its best to use a timer to ensure lights go on and off at regular interviews, to simulate the sun rising and falling. a 12-14 hour day cycle is best, with all lights and heat turned off at night, providing the room stays between 55-70F at night.

If you are worried about the hot heat lamp being a fire hazard, make sure you are using a ceramic fixture, do not have a bulb with higher watts than the socket is rated, make sure its securely fixed (or better yet, mounted inside the cage, high enough above the basking area your dragon can't reach, or in a wire 'cage' to protect from getting in contact with bulb). Clamp lights are ok, but only if you don't have kids or other animals around who may knock it off accidentally.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

i turned off my lamp at 9pm. and it is in a really warm room. the room stays at about 85 degrees. His tank was the temperature it should be. I am so confused. He is perfectly fine now.

85F is rather too warm to have the cage in, especially at night. Not to mention with the lights on in the cage, the cool end may be warmer...which would give no way for your dragon to thermal regulate.

The cool end should be 80F or a bit less and at least 75F at night, though 70F would be better. This gives the dragon a proper resting temperature to sleep. IF it stays too hot they don't sleep well, which can cause stress over time.

What are your cage temperatures in the cool end and basking area during the day? Improper temperatures can cause many problems. Also, how do you measure them (ie temp gun, digital thermometer with probe etc?)
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

it is 80 on the cooler side during the day
about 75 at night.
100 on the basking end.
I cant put the tank in a different room. it is the only room I can put it in until i move

Is the dragon seemingly a tad bit skinny, any loss of appetite, or slightly lethargic?

The dragon may be harboring a parasite.

what is the weight length and age of the dragon?

Your temps dont seem too off the mark but you should have them set-up on a timer.
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No he is perfectly fine now. I am not sure on the age, but I am guessing 4 months. He is 11 inches long. Idk his girth he is kinda jumpy when i try to measure. I have only fed him crickets from petco and fresh greens from the store. I am not sure what happened. but he is happier than ever now

Ok some tips

Make sure the crickets dont eat the dragons feces and keep food for the crickets as well as water available to them. Dont leave them wandering about the enclosure at night either.

Your dragon may have been in a deep sleep or you may be over reacting a small tad.

I wouldnt pick the dragon up when the lights are off and it is cooled too much. Let it rest cover it with a towel if your going to be in the room moving all about with lights on etc. at night near the enclosure.

Just keep an eye on it. If it is eating well and pooping on a regular basis you should be fine.

Get a timer so you can get the lights/temps more consistent.
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clarification:

cover the enclosure with a dark colored towel not the dragon
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I usually feed him in the afternoon but I was busy that day. At night he is usually left alone. But thank you. I plan to get a timer eventually but right now I am saving as much cash as I can.

Still not sure what happened, but maybe he was sleeping deep like you said.

Thank you again

You're welcome.

They are cheep (timers) can find them at wallmart. I use digital ones but you can also get a standard one with little push in pins. It will save you hassle and be better for the dragon.

best of luck let us know how he/she does
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