Bearded dragons are inherently crepuscular animals, which means that the majority of their activity during the day is done during dawn and dusk. As a result, they usually sleep during the later afternoon and night time.
During the day they will usually rest or lay still, but may also bask in sun and eat when they have the opportunity. When the sun starts to go down, they will become active and will feed and digest their food.
As the night approaches, they will start to settle down and sleep. Bearded dragons typically sleep for 8-10 hours each night and may also take short naps during the day.
What can I do for my bearded dragon at night?
At night, you can make sure your bearded dragon is kept in a safe and comfortable environment. Make sure the room temperature is warm enough and that your dragon has a heat lamp and other basking equipment.
The temperature should be between 80 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the night. In addition, provide your bearded dragon with a humidity level between 30 and 50 percent.
Also, make sure the enclosure is safe and secure; meaning no sharp objects, correct bedding for your dragon, and proper lighting. When it comes to feeding, you may want to feed your dragon before turning off the lights in the evening, as they tend to sleep a lot during this time.
Finally, ensure your bearded dragon is getting enough calcium and vitamin supplements, as this is essential for their health.
Is it OK to leave a heat lamp on overnight?
It is generally not recommended to leave a heat lamp on overnight due to the fire risk and lack of oversight. Heat lamps can generate high heats and the possibility of something igniting from serious heat generated from a lamp can increase greatly when it has been running for a long period of time.
Additionally, there is no one monitoring the lamp and any potential problems that could occur while it’s running overnight. If a lamp were to overheat or something were to fall onto it, no one would be there to shut it off before any damage or harm can be caused.
If an animal needs to be kept warm for any length of time, it is better to look for alternative solutions such as heated mats or heated water bowls that can be left on overnight.
Should I turn off the heat lamp at night?
Yes, you should turn off the heat lamp at night. This ensures the temperature of your environment is not too hot while you sleep, which can affect your quality of sleep. Heat lamps also require a lot of energy and electricity, so turning them off at night can help you save on both your energy bill and the environment.
It’s best to keep the heat lamp off at night and use an alternative source of heat, like a space heater, to keep the temperature at a comfortable level.
How often should you feed a bearded dragon?
It is recommended that you feed a bearded dragon once a day. However, the quantity and type of food you should offer your dragon will depend on its age. For baby dragons (less than 6 months old), offer tiny insects such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms, fruit flies and so on once a day.
As for adult dragons, offer a variety of foods twice daily. This includes crickets, mealworms, waxworms, king worms, dubia roaches, and greens such as collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens and beet greens.
Feeding their prey items like crickets and mealworms should be done in the evening so you can monitor how much your dragon is eating. Feeding their greens should be done in the morning. It is also recommended to provide calcium and multivitamin supplements a couple of times a week.
Lastly, make sure to dust their food with a calcium and multivitamin powder to provide additional nutrients.
How do I know if my bearded dragon is sleeping?
Bearded dragons are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day, and sleep at night. As such, you can tell if your bearded dragon is sleeping by paying attention to their natural activity patterns and environment.
During sleep, bearded dragons typically become less active, have their eyes closed, and curl up in a C-shape. Bearded dragons usually sleep for about eight hours a day and may do so for longer stretches at night.
You may also observe that your bearded dragon enjoys basking in the sun during the day and relaxes in cooler areas as the night approaches. Other signs of sleep include stretching and yawning. If your bearded dragon appears to be sleeping, it is best to leave them alone and let them rest.
Can you pick up a sleeping bearded dragon?
Yes, you can pick up a sleeping bearded dragon. Bearded dragons are not particularly delicate, and they are sturdy enough to be picked up while they are sleeping. However, when picking up a bearded dragon, it is important to do so with caution.
If you are picking up your bearded dragon while they are sleeping, it is best to support their body with both hands; doing so will help prevent them from accidentally falling and injuring themselves.
Gently scoop up your bearded dragon with both hands and hold them close enough to your body to provide them with stability. It is also important to be mindful of their feet and claws, so always be sure to hold them close enough for them to feel secure, but not close enough to cause any discomfort.
Additionally, if you notice your bearded dragon stirring, it is best to put them down and allow them to wake up naturally.
Can bearded dragons see in the dark?
No, bearded dragons cannot see in the dark. Like most reptiles, they have limited vision and rely more heavily on movement and other sensory cues. Bearded dragons have adapted to desert environments with ample daylight, where they will usually spend the majority of their days.
During the night, they become largely inactive, relying on burrowing and trying to remain undetected. They do have small eyes, but their vision is limited in dimly lit or dark environments. They have evolved to be primarily active during the day, which is when their vision is most effective.
What are the signs of respiratory distress in bearded dragons?
Signs of respiratory distress in bearded dragons are typically very noticeable. Most commonly, you will notice your dragon exhibiting shallow, rapid or labored breathing, unexplained weight loss, lethargy or lack of appetite, gurgling or clicking noises from the throat and mouth, sneezing and/or heavy breathing, and discharge from the nose and/or eyes.
Additionally, you may notice that your beardie is having difficulty opening its mouth when breathing, more common with younger dragons, and its neck and/or chest area may swell. In severe cases, you may also notice that your dragon’s abdomen is rapidly expanding and contracting due to compromised airway passage.
If any of these signs are present, you should contact a reptile vet immediately.
How long can bearded dragons go without breathing?
Bearded dragons, like all other reptiles, require oxygen to survive and can only go without breathing for a certain period of time. A bearded dragon can typically be without air or oxygen for around 20-30 minutes.
However, it is important to note that if a bearded dragon is experiencing prolonged periods of not breathing, their body will eventually enter into a state of oxygen deprivation and will experience extreme stress, which can be very dangerous for their health.
Because of this, it is important to ensure that your bearded dragon is in a well-ventilated area in which they can access plenty of fresh air. Additionally, it is important to monitor your bearded dragon’s breathing and bring them to a veterinarian if you notice any abnormal or irregular breathing patterns.
What time should I turn my bearded dragons light on in the morning?
When the sun is rising in the morning, it’s best to begin turning your bearded dragon’s light on for the day. This can be done by gradually turning the light on 30 minutes ahead of your home’s sunrise time.
Gradually increasing the light will allow your pet to wake up more naturally, instead of being startled and exposed to bright light too quickly. It’s also important to make sure that your bearded dragon’s enclosure isn’t in direct sunlight, as they will be more comfortable and experience less stress when their environment doesn’t swing dramatically in terms of temperature.
A general rule of thumb is to keep the reptile’s light on for 12 to 14 hours a day, but be sure to take into account the light source as some are better than others. While it is important to provide a variety of light sources (basking, ultraviolet, etc.
), proper usage of each is essential to keep your bearded dragon healthy.
Can Beardies eat scrambled eggs?
Yes, beardies can eat scrambled eggs. The occasional scrambled egg can make for a great meal for your beardie, and can add a nice nutritional boost to its diet. When you feed your beardie a scrambled egg, make sure that it is cooked thoroughly and cooled before serving as some bacteria can still be present in raw eggs.
Additionally, only give your beardie a scrambled egg as an occasional treat and not as a staple in its diet, as eggs are quite high in fat and can cause overeating and obesity in reptiles.
Can bearded dragons get too much UVB light?
Yes, bearded dragons can get too much UVB light. Excessive exposure to UVB light can result in a condition called hypercalcemia, which is an abnormally high blood calcium level. Signs of hypercalcemia in bearded dragons include excessive shedding, reduced appetite, and lethargy.
It is important to only use UVB lights specifically designed for reptiles, and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions in order to provide an appropriate level of UVB light. Bearded dragons should be monitored regularly to ensure they are not getting too much UVB light.
It is important to provide adequate shade or shelter within the enclosure so that the dragon can regulate its exposure to UVB. It is also recommended to use a timer to regulate the amount of time the UVB light is on, and to turn it off for at least 8 hours in the evening.
How far away should UVB light be from bearded dragon?
UVB lighting should be placed around 12-18 inches away from the basking area for your bearded dragon. This is to ensure that their basking area can reach temperatures between 100-110 degrees Fahrenheit.
The UVB light should have a full-spectrum and should be replaced every 6-12 months. Bearded dragons also benefit from a larger spectrum of light that can be used by adding stronger UVB 5. 0 and UVB 10.
0 bulbs. The UVB bulbs should be on for 12-14 hours per day and it’s best to turn the bulb off at night as a bearded dragon’s eyes can be sensitive to light when it’s dark. It’s important to also have full-spectrum lighting placed around the enclosure, preferably on a timer, to simulate a natural environment with night and day.
Can I leave my bearded dragons light on for 3 days?
No, you should not leave your bearded dragon’s light on for three days. Bearded dragons need a thermal gradient in order to thermoregulate, meaning their environment needs to alternately be hot and cool.
If the light stays on continuously, it will create a very warm environment and your bearded dragon won’t be able to regulate their body temperature. It’s recommended to keep a basking spot of about 95 to 110 degrees, and the rest of the tank should dip to about 75-85 degrees at night.
Planning a 12 hour light/dark cycle and having enough hides to allow your bearded dragon to get away from the heat is the best way to create a healthy environment for your pet. Additionally, exposure to too much heat can cause your bearded dragon to suffer from heat stroke, and constant bright light can upset their natural circadian rhythms.
