Warsaw PoloniaI bought an adult bearded dragon (Spike) from a private sale. They had himfor only a few months. He seemed to be in good health. The cage he waskept in only had a heat mat and a regular light bulb for a basking spot. Imoved him into a 4' cage with a 24" zoo med 5.0 florescent and a normalbasking light. He was not very active, but ate well except he wouldn't eatmany greens ---just crickets and superworms. He would also wait for themto come to him or I would have to hand feed the superworms to him.
It wassummer then so I would put him in an outdoor enclosure whenever possible,which is not often in Maine. That is the only time he would display hisbeard. During the fall and into the next winter he stopped feeding on aregular basis. I changed his lighting to two 4' zoo med 5.0 lights inhopes that he would become more active. The lights were about 12" from thebottom of the cage. His condition became worse. He almost completelystopped feeding and had no bowel movements. The only way I could get thatto happen was with warm baths and mineral oil. Even then the food did notseem to be digested. He started spending all of his time on the cool endof the cage and was very lethargic. I would move him to his basking spotbut he would move right back to the cool end and just sit there under aplant all day. Sometimes I thought he was dead and I was afraid I wasgoing to lose him.
cheap hotel in ParisI bought a 100 watt UVHeat flood light and startedmoving him under that. To my surprise he would stay there for long periodsand started moving to his basking spot on his own. Within a couple ofweeks he was feeding again---with a little help. Now after about twomonths Spike (now in a 8' cage with 2 100 watt UVHeat flood lights) is acompletely different animal. He is much more active than when I firstbought him. He is all over the cage chasing crickets around, moving fromone basking area to another and eating greens. He is robust, full ofenergy and his color has improved. He scratches on his door and begs tocome out to cruise around the house under the watchful eye of Bronson--myrotti. There is no more need for warm baths with mineral oil--all systems are go--if you know whatI mean. I also see him occasionally displaying his beautiful big blackbeard---which only would happen before under natural sunlight.
zasady omaha hi loI now useUVHeat for my basilisks, anoles, etc.. (which are thriving) and will betrying them on a pair of boas soon which are in good health, but are notbreeding.. I do believe that the UVHeat light saved Spikes life and highlyrecommend them for anyone who keeps diurnal animals. I do lots of businesswith about 5 local pet shops and will be telling all of them about myresults. It may seem to some people who spend $5 on an anole that a lightthat cost more than the animal is silly. In a few months when they findtheir pet belly up maybe they will think about it differently. Thanks again Joe.
Rick Slack
Spike says thanks too!!!