Tommyst
Member
Hi Guys!
It's Tommy here, a not-so-proud new owner of a beardie. Why not proud? See our story below, I'd love to hear any and all feedback, I've got a lot to learn.
First, the numbers:
age: around 6 months
size: 28 centimetres (with tail)
viv: 250 litres
temps: 22°C (71.6 F) at night, 25°C (77 F) viv ambient temperature, 38°C (99 F) basking spot
substrate: paper towels
diet: Crickets, roaches, occasional superworms, dandelion greens, different fruits/vegs. Food dusted daily, living feed gut-loaded.
Lightning: UVA, UVB, compact bulb and basking lamp. (Zoo-med Reptisun 10.0 UVB + Exoterra 50W Daylight Basking spot)
Weight: 55 grams
I'm not proud of myself because I'm the kind of owner who did not prepare for the pet's arrival, I've bought him on impulse, knowing nothing of beardie care, only getting some information from the seller, which, of course, was nothing compared to the knowledge really needed.
(The guy was the kind who would say anything to sell an animal - like "can beardies be left alone for a few days, e.g. on vacation?" -> "Of course, they're easy to keep, you can leave them even for a week if you give them enough crickets" -> Totally bad advice, as I know now.)
Long story short, we came home in december with no experience, only a small tank, lights and some crickets to start.
Nevertheless, I always wish the best for my pets, so I've spent the past 2 months reading about beardies, finding his likes/dislikes, planning his future viv, etc. I've also contacted one of the caretakers I know who workds in the nearby zoo for help.
By now,I've changed his viv from the small, ~40 L aquarium to a 250 L terrarium which suits him better and lets him grow. The next steps I'm going to take are to change the substrate from paper to slate, plan a 3D background that serves as a basking spot, and change the lights from compact to viv-long UVB.
I'm absolutely in love with the little critter, and he's gotten used to my presence as well, he's now trying to run away from me only at times when he wants to explore the room, and never seems afraid.
I understand that he's undersized, but he was around 4 months old when I got him, and only 14 cms, so he's doubled in size in the 2 months he's been with me, he has a great appetite. My only hope is he'll be healthy, even if he doesn't reach the full size potential of his species.
It's his second shedding in the nearly 2 months we've been together, so I'm hoping he'll catch up a bit in size.
In my village, there's no vet, but to my luck, I've managed to contact a vet nearby who's specialized in reptiles, I've got an appointment for next week, he's going to get a general checup.
Sorry for the many different topics touched, Felniir has given me so many so many happy/memorable moments in such a short time. :lol:
I'm also attaching a few pictures of him (beware, "high" quality pics to follow! ):
Just arrived home:
Getting used to each other:
First taste of dandelions:
First bath:
Bought a new viv:
He loves to just hang around:
We can even watch movies together now:
It's Tommy here, a not-so-proud new owner of a beardie. Why not proud? See our story below, I'd love to hear any and all feedback, I've got a lot to learn.
First, the numbers:
age: around 6 months
size: 28 centimetres (with tail)
viv: 250 litres
temps: 22°C (71.6 F) at night, 25°C (77 F) viv ambient temperature, 38°C (99 F) basking spot
substrate: paper towels
diet: Crickets, roaches, occasional superworms, dandelion greens, different fruits/vegs. Food dusted daily, living feed gut-loaded.
Lightning: UVA, UVB, compact bulb and basking lamp. (Zoo-med Reptisun 10.0 UVB + Exoterra 50W Daylight Basking spot)
Weight: 55 grams
I'm not proud of myself because I'm the kind of owner who did not prepare for the pet's arrival, I've bought him on impulse, knowing nothing of beardie care, only getting some information from the seller, which, of course, was nothing compared to the knowledge really needed.
(The guy was the kind who would say anything to sell an animal - like "can beardies be left alone for a few days, e.g. on vacation?" -> "Of course, they're easy to keep, you can leave them even for a week if you give them enough crickets" -> Totally bad advice, as I know now.)
Long story short, we came home in december with no experience, only a small tank, lights and some crickets to start.
Nevertheless, I always wish the best for my pets, so I've spent the past 2 months reading about beardies, finding his likes/dislikes, planning his future viv, etc. I've also contacted one of the caretakers I know who workds in the nearby zoo for help.
By now,I've changed his viv from the small, ~40 L aquarium to a 250 L terrarium which suits him better and lets him grow. The next steps I'm going to take are to change the substrate from paper to slate, plan a 3D background that serves as a basking spot, and change the lights from compact to viv-long UVB.
I'm absolutely in love with the little critter, and he's gotten used to my presence as well, he's now trying to run away from me only at times when he wants to explore the room, and never seems afraid.
I understand that he's undersized, but he was around 4 months old when I got him, and only 14 cms, so he's doubled in size in the 2 months he's been with me, he has a great appetite. My only hope is he'll be healthy, even if he doesn't reach the full size potential of his species.
It's his second shedding in the nearly 2 months we've been together, so I'm hoping he'll catch up a bit in size.
In my village, there's no vet, but to my luck, I've managed to contact a vet nearby who's specialized in reptiles, I've got an appointment for next week, he's going to get a general checup.
Sorry for the many different topics touched, Felniir has given me so many so many happy/memorable moments in such a short time. :lol:
I'm also attaching a few pictures of him (beware, "high" quality pics to follow! ):
Just arrived home:
Getting used to each other:
First taste of dandelions:
First bath:
Bought a new viv:
He loves to just hang around:
We can even watch movies together now: