Bearded Dragon Habitat

[TerriLoo]

Hi Bearded Dragon folk,

I have a question for anyone who may know....I got a reptarium, 250 gal size for my two beardies. It's plastic and mesh net. They have their basking lites and rocks, and reptisand for their substrate. They can climb the mesh, and have rocks and driftwood to climb on. But, they don't seem as happy as when they were in the little plastic tank that they outgrew. Also, they have slowed eating, and growth. But they seem healthy otherwise. Is this a bad habitat for them??

Terri :icon_cool:

[Masahiko]

what are the temps?

[TerriLoo]

Originally Posted by Masahiko

what are the temps?

The temps are around 95 degrees under their basking lights, and around 70 on the lower parts of the enclosure. They don't seem to want to bask much. Do I need to get a hotter bulb? I have 100 watt bulbs in there now. T

[Masahiko]

i keep my hot side around 100. cool side low 80s. 70 is a bit cold. i would try to raise the temps a bit.

are you using a UVB bulb as well?

are you bathing your dragon to keep it hydrated?

what food are you offering that they are refusing?

[nanihokuahi]

A sudden change in eating habits can mean a few things. First, since the enclosure is larger now, you need to add lighting to keep temperatures up. As Masahiko stated, your temperatures are a little too low. The basking spot should be about 95-100, and the cool area should be at about 85.

Also, sand of any type is a really really awful substrate that can lead to impaction... even reptisand causes impaction and can cause death if consumed with their food, or accidentally. (my beardies lick everything and would probably ingest a ton of the stuff if I had it in their enclosures.) I know it says it is 100% safe on the side, but if it is the stuff I am thinking of, it actually works as an antacid and can cause real damage.

What kind of food are you offering? Sometimes switching food items is a great way to get them to eat. Are you supplementing with vitamins? What kind of greens are you offering? I hope they get better and start eating soon!

[TerriLoo]

Originally Posted by Masahiko

i keep my hot side around 100. cool side low 80s. 70 is a bit cold. i would try to raise the temps a bit.

are you using a UVB bulb as well?

are you bathing your dragon to keep it hydrated?

what food are you offering that they are refusing?

Thanks, Masahiko, for responding! Yes, I have two UVB bulbs. I spray them daily so they can lap up the water. They seem to like being spritzed. They still eat everything we have always given them, just not as enthusiastically. Crickets, giant mealworms, and some waxworms. Green veggies, peas, parsley, kale.

[TerriLoo]

Originally Posted by nanihokuahi

A sudden change in eating habits can mean a few things. First, since the enclosure is larger now, you need to add lighting to keep temperatures up. As Masahiko stated, your temperatures are a little too low. The basking spot should be about 95-100, and the cool area should be at about 85.

Also, sand of any type is a really really awful substrate that can lead to impaction... even reptisand causes impaction and can cause death if consumed with their food, or accidentally. (my beardies lick everything and would probably ingest a ton of the stuff if I had it in their enclosures.) I know it says it is 100% safe on the side, but if it is the stuff I am thinking of, it actually works as an antacid and can cause real damage.

What kind of food are you offering? Sometimes switching food items is a great way to get them to eat. Are you supplementing with vitamins? What kind of greens are you offering? I hope they get better and start eating soon!

Thanks for the response! Yes, my beardies test everything with their tongues. They don't seem to be bothered by the sand....I've heard differing thoughts on it.
They like crickets, giant mealworms and waxworms, also green leafies.
My enclosure is open mesh, so it might be difficult to heat it up. I may need to go to something else, I guess. :icon_sad:

[nanihokuahi]

You may not have to. If you have some room at the side of the cage, you can just add another heat lamp to the side. It will add another basking spot that is a little more accessible to your dragons, and you won't have to get another cage. Just make sure they cant burn themselves.