emilyruth254":2m7jc087 said:
Hi, everyone! I have a few questions. I'm planning on getting a bearded dragon within the next year, but I wanted to do research first.
1. I am planning on building a 4ft x 2ft glass tank with a mesh top (for lighting/heat). Is this big enough for a bearded dragon? Also, would a glass tank or a melamine/wooden enclosure be better? I've heard that glass doesn't retain heat as well as wood.
<<<< don't have a mesh lid ( go for a solid timber lid , and ventilation in tank ends (high at the warm end , low at the cool end) and sliding glass front door.
advantages :
very good thermal efficiency (will be able to get away with lower wattage basking globe and lower wattage ceramic heat emitter (if you are in a cold climate and it gets chilly at night)
very easy to attach ceramic (high temperature) light fittings under the lid
very easy to attach linear T8 or T5ho reflector hood under the lid
secure from other animals
less likely to stress the dragon by having to pick it up from above - this will freak out a new less than tame dragon ---> you will look like a predator
stackable (can place other vivs ontop if need arises)
cons :
expensive to buy ready made if made from solid timber , BUT they are available as flatpack self assembly kits , and if made from cheaper timber by the vendor can be quite cost effective
2. I am trying to figure out if I should purchase an adult or a baby. I would very much like to rescue an adult, because I have heard that they are cheaper to maintain (feeding, etc.). However, I do worry about an adult becoming tame and missing his/her previous owner. Should I be too concerned with this?
Any replies would be helpful!
Depends on how prepared you are to put the time into rearing a hatchling or smaller juvenile ie
<< more than one feed of live insects per day
<< more frequent pooing (younger dragon's have a much higher metabolic rate than an adult will have.
They do bond very strongly to their keepers and people they have daily contact with , so an adult will likely take a while to come around.
A rescue will likely come with health issues that will increase costs due to neglect and even mistreatment , illnesses, MBD, malnutrition, dehydration, kidney and liver issues, festering sores and injuries have been seen here with rescues.
If you are lucky you'll find a dragon who has been loved and well cared for just needs to be rehomed because of change on the owners' circumstances. This is not aways the case unfortunately.
I've rescued and rehabilitated several lizards, they've have all become FABULOUS pets who were mega tame and extremely smoogy - I believe a lizard knows when you are trying to help it and they soon learn how to show their appreciation.