bubblesthebeardie
Member
Ok. So my 10yr old daughter wanted a bearded dragon for Christmas. (Just FYI, I know I will be caring for bubbles for the long haul! And I am perfectly happy with that!) After what I thought was extensive research, I wanted to make sure we are doing everything right. My daughter received the 40 gallon set up tank from Santa(zoo med). The day after Christmas we got Bubbles from Petsmart, a fancy bearded dragon. When we got her they said she was 2 months old, not sure if accurate as she is 6 inches long at this time and was 4 inches when we got her. (I also am referring to her as a girl but unsure!)
Question/concern #1-So as of 2 days ago she started limping and dragging her left arm. She continues to limp but is bearing more weight on it. Still scurrying around. No visible swelling or pain when touched, that I can tell. Any suggestions? Should we continue to keep an eye on her as she seems to be getting better? Possible sprain although not sure how she would have injured herself.
So after reading a few discussions, I wanted to add most all info requested prior.
Feeding- She gets crickets 730am, 1200pm, 330pm, 530pm and 800pm. No veggies yet as I was told not until shes older. Eats roughly 3-8 each time. Most all are as small as the space between her eyes but occasionally a bit bigger as I have a hard time keeping track of the crickets growth. I have been gut loading them with moist zoo med juvenile bearded dragon pellets and nectarines.They are also dusted with zoo med calcium with d3, but i skipped the dusting x 1 week as the crickets were dying real fast. I buy crickets just about twice a week 50 each time as they are hard to keep alive and disgustingly gross! Dirty little buggers! I currently am feeding her in a separate tub where I house the crickets.
Question 2- Should I get a separate container for un-dusted crickets? Calcium should only be 5x weekly correct? Is it normal for her to sit like she does in front of the egg crate to eat? (I have pic but unsure how to upload)
Water- She doesn't drink from bowl, so we are dropping water droplets on her head after each meal until she stops licking it off. Also warm baths every other day. Is this adequate?
Heating/lighting-We have the double dome set up with zoo med 150watt heat bulb as the 100watt wasn't warming enough. Zoo med 10.0 UVB bulb. On from 615am to 930pm. We let her heat up an hour or so prior to first feeding and keep warm about an hour or so after last meal. This set up has 2 areas she sits, lower is about 12 inches away from lights (temp 95-96F) and upper is about 8 inches away (98-99F). She picks were she goes on her own. The set up is in front of a window with thermal blinds and black out curtains to keep it warmer as it averages 35-45F at night with heater set to 68F.
She also has a 8watt heat pad attached on the underside of the tank.The tank floor has reptile carpet. She has a hollow 1/2 log that is also on top of the heating pad that keeps night time temperature at about 90F, so she is warm. After 30 minutes of lights out, I place her under the log and she spreads out on her belly and stays all night til morning. Cool side with water bowl is about 70-75F. ( I have pic but unsure of how to upload)
Question #3- Does this heating system/routine good for her?
I am so open to any suggestions/recommendations as I love this little beardie from day one and want to make sure she is healthy and happy!
Question/concern #1-So as of 2 days ago she started limping and dragging her left arm. She continues to limp but is bearing more weight on it. Still scurrying around. No visible swelling or pain when touched, that I can tell. Any suggestions? Should we continue to keep an eye on her as she seems to be getting better? Possible sprain although not sure how she would have injured herself.
So after reading a few discussions, I wanted to add most all info requested prior.
Feeding- She gets crickets 730am, 1200pm, 330pm, 530pm and 800pm. No veggies yet as I was told not until shes older. Eats roughly 3-8 each time. Most all are as small as the space between her eyes but occasionally a bit bigger as I have a hard time keeping track of the crickets growth. I have been gut loading them with moist zoo med juvenile bearded dragon pellets and nectarines.They are also dusted with zoo med calcium with d3, but i skipped the dusting x 1 week as the crickets were dying real fast. I buy crickets just about twice a week 50 each time as they are hard to keep alive and disgustingly gross! Dirty little buggers! I currently am feeding her in a separate tub where I house the crickets.
Question 2- Should I get a separate container for un-dusted crickets? Calcium should only be 5x weekly correct? Is it normal for her to sit like she does in front of the egg crate to eat? (I have pic but unsure how to upload)
Water- She doesn't drink from bowl, so we are dropping water droplets on her head after each meal until she stops licking it off. Also warm baths every other day. Is this adequate?
Heating/lighting-We have the double dome set up with zoo med 150watt heat bulb as the 100watt wasn't warming enough. Zoo med 10.0 UVB bulb. On from 615am to 930pm. We let her heat up an hour or so prior to first feeding and keep warm about an hour or so after last meal. This set up has 2 areas she sits, lower is about 12 inches away from lights (temp 95-96F) and upper is about 8 inches away (98-99F). She picks were she goes on her own. The set up is in front of a window with thermal blinds and black out curtains to keep it warmer as it averages 35-45F at night with heater set to 68F.
She also has a 8watt heat pad attached on the underside of the tank.The tank floor has reptile carpet. She has a hollow 1/2 log that is also on top of the heating pad that keeps night time temperature at about 90F, so she is warm. After 30 minutes of lights out, I place her under the log and she spreads out on her belly and stays all night til morning. Cool side with water bowl is about 70-75F. ( I have pic but unsure of how to upload)
Question #3- Does this heating system/routine good for her?
I am so open to any suggestions/recommendations as I love this little beardie from day one and want to make sure she is healthy and happy!