MelissaP":2zd25gda said:
Hello. I went to the per store to get my dog some stuff and ended up buying my son a fancy bearded dragon. The guy that was helping us was a new guy and didn't have much to offer. I feel like a new parent that doesn't have a clue as to what to do. I got the Zoo Med™ ReptiHabitat® Bearded Dragon 40 Gallon Terrarium Kit. I also got a few extra things for him/her to sit on. I don't know if these lamps that came with it are what I need or if I need something different? How many times a day should we feed it? What should we feed him as a baby? We have a heating pad under the tank, do we need this? Do we leave it on at all times? Can we hold him now or do we wait? My little guys are anxious. Can we hold him after he eats? What kind of thermostat do I need? I have one that came with it but unsure if its a good one. The tank I got is a 40 GAL one and it came with sand and it says its good for them but your site doesn't recommend it. Should we not use it at all? Do we leave the food in the cage if he doesn't eat the food right away? How do you determine how much and ho often to feed them? Can you have too much in the tank with him? When do you suggest we take him outside? I literally just have so any questions and feel like when you talk to the people at the pet store and look online you get so many conflicting answers. I just want to make sure he is happy and healthy.
Thanks in advance.
Ok first you are gonna want to eventually upgrade your tank to a bigger one- like a 75-120 gallon tank-- he will be able to stay in this one for a while so I would suggest you change out that sand to a textured non adhesive shelf liner from Home Depot or Lowes- its cheap easy to clean w/ vinegar / water mixed 50/50 in a spray bottle - the bugs cannot get underneath- sand causes impaction!
Next you need to get rid of the coil UVB I am guessing that came w/ the tank - they are no good and this is what you need for that Which
UVB light should I use?
The best
UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of
UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 10-11 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 8-10 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays--
this needs to be done ASAP--- Next you need a good bright white basking bulb - that may have come w/ the tank - temps for basking should be 105-110 for a baby---
Babies need to be fed 2 times per day crickets or dubia roaches I recommend roaches -- they way healthier here is some info on those
Dubias
• Wide range of sizes
• Long life span
• Excellent nutrition
• Easy to digest
• High in protein
Convenient for you
• Odorless and soundless
• Will not infest your home
• Can be stored out of sight
• Easy to care for
• Cannot jump, fly or climb
They can be kept in a 10 gallon tank and fed carrots squash apples strawberries etc NO greens they tend not to like greens ------- they can be ordered on line thru many suppliers - check out the feeding board on this site
Bugs need to be dusted w/ calcium D3 5 x per week and w/ vitamins 2 x per week -- a fresh salad of greens should be offered daily - he may or may not eat it as the bugs are his main diet now- but still offer here is a website for nutrition
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html--- Do not leave crickets in the tank they bite and can cause infection- dubias are ok they dont bite - he needs to eat as many bugs in 10-15 minutes ---
Please get rid of the heating pad --- if you need extra heat in the tank please get a Ceramic Heat Emitter - it goes in a dome hood and has no light -- they come in different wattage bulbs- you should only have white lights for the tank if you want extra lighting for the cool side of the tank put in a regular house hold bulb like 60 watt---
Basking temps should be taken w/ a Infrared heat gun bought from Walmart Lowes or Home Depot for around $10 --- you should have a digital probe thermometer on the cool side of the tank --
You can get him used to your hand and in the tank -- he is probably going to go thru relocation stress and may quit eating but just be patient and he will come around - take a piece of clothing or soft fleece and put in his hide - it will get him used to your smell--
I cannot stress enough the importance of the lighting --- it is crucial to their over all health behavior and digestion --------------- if you have more questions please ask ---- I know I just gave you a ton of info here but it is so crucial that your have it for your dragon to be healthy and stay that way-- I would suggest you not take him outside as of yet -- he is really small and you can loose him very quickly as they are very fast -- as for the pet store people DONT listen to them they have not a clue as to how to take care of a dragon unless they actually own one themselves and then I would still be leary! Bad advice from pet store people usually ends up w/a dead dragon!
Karrie