I just got a Yellow Nigerian Uromastyx, what an awsome reptile. m worried about her. I'm using an 160W Mercury Bulb, which is about 10 to 13 inches away from the hottest basking spot, I also have a ceramic heater. The temp gets to 120 F + when the Mercury bulb is blazing directly on the basking spot, this is with the ceramic heater, but I notice when she goes to bask, she is opening her mouth. I beleive this is gasping for air, so I moved the Mercury bulb pointing a little away and it seems as though she is not opening her mouth, but know its not 120 F. Help any opinions. thanks
Thats actually called Gapping.. its perfectly normal. They do this to release heat. Move your basking bulb back to where it was and maintain the 120+F basking area, they need that high of a basking area to digest thier food. If its not hot enough, they can't digest and will become impacted. If it gets too hot for the Uro, it will move to the cooler side to cool down.
