David R Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 About 3 months ago we decided Chester (our beardy) was large enough to be put on a sandy substrate, actually the fine grey 'grit' from HFF. He loved it! He was running around digging etc, never seen him happier. Then he ran under a large flat rock, hollowed himself out a 'nest' and has stayed there ever since. We've read about brumation, although most of what we read said that they usually don't do it in their first year. We've woken him up a couple of times, and he'll come out and bask, eat a bit, but by the end of the day he's back under his rock. I haven't changed the temperature of the tank, its 20-25 at night, and 30-35 during the day, and a bit hotter in the basking spot. Any idea how long this might go on for, or what could be causing it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 hi david is beardie still a good weight, not too thin? what sort of and length of lighting are you using? is basking light or lamp within 12 to 18" of basking spot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted December 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 He's got a 36" UV tube, an 80W spot for the backing light, and a ceramic heat lamp. I'll post some pics tonight. The basking light is on for around 12-14 hours a day, and the heat lamp just quietly ticks away 24/7 to stop it getting too cold. The tank is 24" high, and there's a log on an angle under the basking light so he can get to within at least 12" of the light, maybe closer. I'll ask the boss nicely if I can borrow the digital scales from work to weigh him accuratly. Doesn't appear to be too thin, but not looking as bulky as I have seen him. Hasn't shed for the last 3 months either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted December 10, 2007 Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 He's got a 36" UV tube, an 80W spot for the backing light, and a ceramic heat lamp. I'll post some pics tonight. The basking light is on for around 12-14 hours a day, and the heat lamp just quietly ticks away 24/7 to stop it getting too cold. The tank is 24" high, and there's a log on an angle under the basking light so he can get to within at least 12" of the light, maybe closer. I'll ask the boss nicely if I can borrow the digital scales from work to weigh him accuratly. Doesn't appear to be too thin, but not looking as bulky as I have seen him. Hasn't shed for the last 3 months either. how old is he and have u wintered him ever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted December 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 Was born march this year, so this is his first winter. Didn't "winter" him as I thought they didnt go into brumation in their first winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted December 10, 2007 Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 i had the same problem read everything but nothing prevailed untill i tried one thing well, it worked anwyays. i found him hiding and couldnt find him, would eat ut not much strangely enough. during winter, i thought it was too cold so i bought two ulbs, 100w each. bought the temp from a 21 to22 o about 25 to 27 and basking spot two places was alot higher of course. i found that he hid most of the time. it was too hot!!!! in the peak of winter, he didnt eat much it was too cold, so i increased it, but it was warming up and got too hot, i removed second bulb and he came out literally two days or less later. maybe the tank is too hot, how do you keep the tank 'warmer' at night? cos i found that, in the australian desert and stuff, where they are, it isnt 25 to 26 at night, it goes down way lower than that, so naturally i guess their body is accustomed to fluctuation in temp i guess. well this worked fo rme. perhaps trying to lessen heat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted December 10, 2007 Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 unless your house is cold no need for nightt heating just day heating, perhaps put rocks around the basking spot it will absorb heat and take the lizard through the night and provide some heat too! so ceramic or infrared red light heat bulb snt needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted December 10, 2007 Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 Was born march this year, so this is his first winter. Didn't "winter" him as I thought they didnt go into brumation in their first winter. try no heating at night, if he really does not want to get up in the morning then give him 3 weeks no heat and just fluoros 8 hours a day. you are right typically best not for brumation to occur first year, but if his body says so then you need to give him the option of shutting down. what size is he? and also are u sure it is male, in my experience males esp. need brumation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted December 10, 2007 Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 i had the same problem read everything but nothing prevailed untill i tried one thing well, it worked anwyays. i found him hiding and couldnt find him, would eat ut not much strangely enough. during winter, i thought it was too cold so i bought two ulbs, 100w each. bought the temp from a 21 to22 o about 25 to 27 and basking spot two places was alot higher of course. i found that he hid most of the time. it was too hot!!!! in the peak of winter, he didnt eat much it was too cold, so i increased it, but it was warming up and got too hot, i removed second bulb and he came out literally two days or less later. maybe the tank is too hot, how do you keep the tank 'warmer' at night? cos i found that, in the australian desert and stuff, where they are, it isnt 25 to 26 at night, it goes down way lower than that, so naturally i guess their body is accustomed to fluctuation in temp i guess. well this worked fo rme. perhaps trying to lessen heat? i winter mine no heat and no light- blanket over tank for 6 weeks. put in paper with straw that they can burrow into. wintering always best during winter. under 15c bad news, but 17 very good. in desert north of adelaide temp gets very low, but i don't risk it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted December 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 I've unplugged the heat lamp now, there's always a window open in the lounge for the cat, but the fish tank is in there too so it shouldn't get too cold. I'll try that for a few days before cutting the basking light. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted December 10, 2007 Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 another thing give him hugs! sometimes they need it ok maybe not 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted December 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 Even with no ceramic heat lamp the temp only dropped to 21C last night!! I think I'll leave the basking light off too for a week or so, see if that will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted December 10, 2007 Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 or maybe put more ventilation at thetop of the tank for the heat to escape. try this , it will cst 7 dollars but might work buy another timer make it so the heat bulb turns on for 1 hour, off for 1 hour. then the fluoro tube can be on for 8hours that will simulate clouds and take off some heat, and perhaps put less total basking time. or to make it easier and less fancy, just put it for less basking bulb on time. and mist the tank with tap water, help cool it down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted December 11, 2007 Report Share Posted December 11, 2007 I would go easy on the water/mist etc.The humidity is high enough in ak`s as it is,they don`t like alot of humidity. They do have individual personalities as well and I have my last2 babies from last year and they just don`t like to be seen,they come out and eat their food etc but if they see me they are off.They were the bottom of the pecking order of all their siblings and they just seem to have had the confidence knocked out of them?As for the lack of shedding that to me means a lack of growth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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