Bearded dragon - Need some advice (!!!!)?

Question

I have recently bought myself a 3-month-old bearded dragon. This might seem like a silly question, but is it normal for him to sleep all day long? Would appreciate any other tips on caring for him.

Answer 1

evanesce... is correct on everything!!! Even the group she recommended http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/pogona/ I don't know of any incandescent bulbs that produce UVB rays... There are Mercury vapor bulbs and they produce both UV and heat. Then there are also the florescent fixtures. If you go with the florescent fixture make sure you get a tube and not a coil. It's a little more inconvenient that way because the coil you can just screw into a regular clamp lamp, and the tube you have to buy a special fixture, but the tube projects the UV rays in more areas, as where the coil just projects them straight down, so they aren't getting the benefits unless they lay right under it all the time. Also there has been talk of a possible recall on the UV fluorescent coils because they have been linked to eye problems in reptiles. Mercury vapor bulbs seem to be the best way to go, because they have a MUCH higher UV output, and they screw into a regular socket, so a clamp lamp that can handle the wattage is fine. To the best of my knowledge though they are only sold online right now and not in the pet stores, but I could be wrong. I know I've seen them on Dr. Foster and Smiths site. Ok enough on the UV lighting one final note though Beardies are NOT nocturnal. If he's sleeping all day there is something wrong. Now they can be lazy occasionally, but I know when mine go to sleep they kick all four of their legs back in the weirdest position, and snuggle themselves into the corners of their cage or hide in their boxes, and close their eyes and they are out for the night. Then if I dare turn the light on in that room then they blink at me sleepily like how dare I disturb them, so you definitely know when they are asleep and want left alone. When the weather gets cooler, some beardies do try to brumate, but it's not healthy for them to do this until they are at least 18 months old. When this does happen for the first time though it can be scary especially if you don't know what's going on. There are different activity levels depending on the beardie, but it can go as far as them sleeping for months at a time without touching their food at all, and not having any bowel movements. Like I said though it's dangerous for a beardie to do this when they are too young though, because their bodies can't handle the stress of it yet. I think in your case a vet check is needed. Also I strongly suggest posting this question on http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/pogona/ and when you post it copy and paste this survey in http://blackninjakitty.com/herps/dragons.php and it will give everyone a good idea of what's going on. This is an awesome group that's full of beardie breeders, a vet, and people who have had their beardies forever. If anyone can help you then I'm sure they can!!! Sorry for such a long post! I'm kinda bad about that.

Answer 2

I have had my bearded dragon for more than 2 years now. He really has never been very active despite having a 55 gallon tank. But after a while you notice his habits and what makes him perk up. Like when he gets a batch of crickets he notices right away. Or during the summer he wakes up when I give him a little fresh basil - he eats it out of my hand. I also catch him watching all the action going on around him. But for the most part he is very laid back. My suggestion is to read about bearded dragon care from a lot of different sources. I started with a book from the library but there are a lot of great websites. Also when they are younger they eat a diet mostly of crickets but when they get older it is mostly greens and veggies with a few crickets occasionally. I also mix in a little bearded dragon food from the pet store. I bought three different kinds before I found one he likes. So be patient and try a little experimenting to find out what he likes and dislikes.

Answer 3

Do you have heat and UVB for your Bearded Dragon? They need heat they need sunlight. When I say sunlight not in a gallon tank next to a window (UVB can not process threw glass). Bearded Dragons should not be sleeping all day. Sure they aren't jumping loops in it's tank, but it shouldn't be sleeping all day. They should be some what active during the day.
Some Bearded Dragon owners feed there Bearded Dragon veggies/greens with or with out crickets. Depends on guess how well you truly want to feed your Bearded Dragon.
After feeding an adult Bearded Dragon, might look like he/she is being "lazy" but should look alert. Babies/juveniles should always be willing to eat and hungry, if they are sleeping and not active they may possibly be something wrong health wise or not proper environment.

Here is a link for some great information:
http://www.reptilerooms.com/Sections+main.html

I recommend you joining a Yahoo Group about Bearded Dragons, here is just one site, there are a few:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/pogona/

Answer 4

listen to the lady telling you about the UVA & UVB lights-they are of UTMOST importance to your beardie. and no, they are NOT NOCTURNAL, they are a diurnal desert dwelling species and need both healthy day and night cycles as well as heat and UVA & UVB rays.
These guys don't have stomach acids, and need heat to digest their food, (without it the food can even rot or settle in their system and have horrible health side effects) and the rays give them life-sustaining vitamins.
Without the vitamin D and benefits these rays provide, your bearded dragon will develop weak, brittle and disfigured bones and sadly, die.
Most recently both incandecent and flourescent bulbs provide the rays, and you also want to make sure you are providing the right amount of heat for the desert dwelling species. if you live in a cold place, you might want to think about adding a nocturnal heat lamp, usually red or purple in color and found right beside your normal reptile lamps.
Most likely your beardie's environment needs to be adapted a bit more for his species.
I strongly recommend reading up on your beardie, so that you know how to take care of him or her, proper day and night cycles, diet, substrates, supplements and so forth to better assess the situation. having him checked out with a herp vet in your area might also be a good thing to do, especially if you just got him, just as a checkup.

Try reading up, here are some resources:

http://www.beardeddragon.org/

http://www.bearded-dragons.com/

http://www.dachiu.com/care/abeard.html

Answer 5

1) head bobbing and hand waving can be both a dominate and submissive sign. In this circumstance i would say it's a display of dominance, he probably caught a glimpse of himself in the glass. you need to stop him from doing this as he may hurt himself bad, also him rubbing his head against glass can cause this... here's some pictures of what can happen: i couldn't find any pictures... weird. Just don't let him rub his mouth against the glass as it will damage his snout. 2) crickets are good, full of nutrients. what type of worms? also woodies are high in nutrients and keep their teeth clean. Also if you cook beef steak you could put some aside for your lizard, they LOVE raw red meat. don't feed him to much tho. And watch your fingers when you feed him, haha. 3) handle him as much as possible, just remember to keep him warm and wash your hands after. Handling him is a good way for yous to bond and taming him. Remember to not hold onto him tight, they like to hold onto you not the other way around.... Hope Ive helped, good luck with your new beardie! ADD: oh forgot something, heres a lil tip i picked up - don't feed your beardie anything that larger then the top of its head it cant cause indigestion impaction/complications.

Answer 6

is the tank warm enough (110 in basking spot?) If not that could be why...he is probably going into hibernation or something lol.

Answer 7

mine sleeps at night and basks in the day...when he basks he still sleeps but this is normal, unless they are sleeping under a shelter

Answer 8

I have attached some links to fact sheets for you. Hope this helps.

Mine tend to sleep during the day, I believe they are nocturnal.

Answer 9

If he's not scared, not hungry, not thirsty, and the right temperature, he's happy. What should he move for?