Beardie Basking

I rescued a bearded dragon a little over a month ago. The person who had him did not have heat bulbs on him at all. I know his temps are not fully where they need to be I am waiting on the mega bulbs. His basking area is 96 degrees with his cool side 80. My problem he refuses to bask under his bulbs. He actually stays off to the side. Could this be from the previous owner? He was very very dark brown almost black when I got him. His color is great now.

What you are describing does not sound abnormal to me. They do not bask the whole day long, they move to where the temps suit them for the moment. My dragons move all over their enclosures, sometimes even as far as 47 inches away from the basking light.

Do you know what the actual temperature under the basking light is and with what do you measure it? Maybe there is something wrong with you temp reader.

Plus, my one dragon loves it hot and the other doesn't, so it really is a personal choice.

I have a digital thermometer down by where he bask and one higher up. (I do have to invest in a temp gun.)