Monitor vs. Beardie basking temps?

[boosh96]

Here's something I don't understand-why is it that bearded dragons, who live in the Australian desert, require a basking spot that's only, like, 100-110 degrees? I can see why monitors are generally said to need a basking spot that's 130-150, since I understand that's what their basking temps are like in the wild, but why don't bearded dragons require a similar temperature in captivity?

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by boosh96

Here's something I don't understand-why is it that bearded dragons, who live in the Australian desert, require a basking spot that's only, like, 100-110 degrees? I can see why monitors are generally said to need a basking spot that's 130-150, since I understand that's what their basking temps are like in the wild, but why don't bearded dragons require a similar temperature in captivity?

Because beardy owners treat their animals like humans and think dirt is bad and cuddling with a blanket is good for beardies. Beardies would very much enjoy 130+ basking in reality

[Starbuck]

^^^^^^^^^^this.

I've been trying to get a fellow vet student to adjust her beardies care :-/ she.offers water once a week because theyre 'desert animals' and they live on sheets so they won't get impactions :-P:-P:-P

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by smy_749

Because beardy owners treat their animals like humans and think dirt is bad and cuddling with a blanket is good for beardies. Beardies would very much enjoy 130+ basking in reality

This...

I know a couple people who keep their beardies in monitor enclosures.

The formula also works well for geckos and tropical snakes.

Behaviour changes when well heated, and the majority of keepers freak out when their animals behave naturally.

That's why I seldom post anything at all in the handling and taming threads, Tired of butting heads with people over it.

I don't molest my animals, and I am happy with that.

[formica]

Originally Posted by infernalis

This...

I know a couple people who keep their beardies in monitor enclosures.

The formula also works well for geckos and tropical snakes.

Behaviour changes when well heated, and the majority of keepers freak out when their animals behave naturally.

That's why I seldom post anything at all in the handling and taming threads, Tired of butting heads with people over it.

I don't molest my animals, and I am happy with that.

its funny how polarized these topics get, personally, I think the reality is probably somewhere inbetween the two opinions on the subject, and neither side is entirly correct

[boosh96]

Originally Posted by smy_749

Because beardy owners treat their animals like humans and think dirt is bad and cuddling with a blanket is good for beardies. Beardies would very much enjoy 130+ basking in reality

Best post ever.

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by formica

its funny how polarized these topics get, personally, I think the reality is probably somewhere inbetween the two opinions on the subject, and neither side is entirly correct

Explain to me why? Beardies live in the hottest part of Oz.

[smy_749]

I'll be honest, I'm tempted to keep a beardy in the same conditions that we require as 'minimum' for odatria. I feel like the species has so much more to offer if we upped the standards from 100 degree basking and tile floors with a hide they can't fit in...

[formica]

Originally Posted by infernalis

Explain to me why? Beardies live in the hottest part of Oz.

my reply was specifically to your head butting comment - i'm keeping my opinion and observations to myself on this one lol (well apart from my opinion on finding a balance)

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by boosh96

Here's something I don't understand-why is it that bearded dragons, who live in the Australian desert, require a basking spot that's only, like, 100-110 degrees? I can see why monitors are generally said to need a basking spot that's 130-150, since I understand that's what their basking temps are like in the wild, but why don't bearded dragons require a similar temperature in captivity?

Hi, do all species of Varanids in the wild need basking surface temps between 55 to 65c (130 to 150f) with ambient temps @ around 45c+ (115f) during "activity" periods (and if not, how do they manage)?

Bearded dragons do live in some very hot places, does that mean they`re most active at the hottest times and need (relatively) very high surface temps to achieve "activity" temps and function efficiently (similar to the Varanids that do use them), or are they different in some ways (slower metabolism, which may mean needing/using less energy)?
Those are just questions in the hope of learning something new!

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by infernalis

Explain to me why? Beardies live in the hottest part of Oz.

Hi Wayne, how active are they during the hottest periods of the day/season, and are all the species living in the hottest parts?
I must say I personally don`t think it hurts to use relatively high surface temps at the basking site, perhaps up to 50c (120f) so long as the animal/s can retreat to cooler places and still achieve "activity" core temps relatively quickly. The problem may be that many (most?) people keep them in relatively small enclosures, often all glass fishtanks, using (at times) relatively high wattage bulbs, the danger being they`ll overheat the animal/s (not recommended)...

[infernalis]

Originally Posted by murrindindi

Hi Wayne, how active are they during the hottest periods of the day/season, and are all the species living in the hottest parts?
I must say I personally don`t think it hurts to use relatively high surface temps at the basking site, perhaps up to 50c (120f) so long as the animal/s can retreat to cooler places and still achieve "activity" core temps relatively quickly. The problem may be that many (most?) people keep them in relatively small enclosures, often all glass fishtanks, using (at times) relatively high wattage bulbs, the danger being they`ll overheat the animal/s (not recommended)...

Every nature film I have ever seen, depicts beardies running around mid day.

[murrindindi]

Originally Posted by infernalis

Every nature film I have ever seen, depicts beardies running around mid day.

How do you know what the temps and time of day were when the animals were filmed, or how long they`d been out and about in the "midday sun" (or if the film has been edited, which is often quite likely)?
Personally, I wouldn`t go out searching for them during the hottest part of the day in the hottest season, at those times you`d have a better chance of seeing them in the morning and later afternoon in my experience.

[boosh96]

If I got a Beardie, I'd make a large enclosure and include two basking spots-one at 100 degrees and the other at 130, just to see what the little guy/gal prefers. Crap, maybe I can actually try that in the near-ish future.

[lady_bug87]

I keep mine with a bunch of dirt and 125F basking. We don't touch him. He doesn't like it. I don't either. I keep my Lacerta's the same way