A bearded dragon from Santa Claus: CandyCane passed away :(

[ComicBookMama]

So change of plans, we are now getting TWO beardeds instead of just one. I kept going back and forth, thinking my kids didn't need two, but they are twins so sometimes being treated as a single unit is frustrating, and I think them each having their own animal will be fun and a good experience for them. I sketched out the enclosure. It will be on wheels one enclosure on top of the other.

I've ordered everything for the enclosures, and the vitamins. Only things needed are the actual animals and the completed enclosures, and their live food. I've still got more research to do on how to keep dubias and crickets, etc.

How exciting! The kids will be over the moon. I agree with Karrie that dubias are a superior feeder, though I do still use crickets as a staple because it's quicker and easier to get them from my local petstore. I don't find them loud or smelly, but I keep them in smaller quantities than many people do - 100 or less at a time. Be prepared for how much your dragons are going to eat once they've settled in and gotten over that relocation stress! They are empty pits on legs!

If you DO wind up wanting to feed crickets, I'd suggest investing in a Full Throttle Feeders feeding cup - it really keeps most of the crickets from disappearing into hidey holes in the hab. Or better yet, feed the dragons in an empty storage tub so you can easily reclaim any uneaten feeders after the dragons have eaten their fill.

Keep us posted on how things go!

~Chris

[opaquelace]

I definitely plan on the storage tub feeding method. Good thing is with the Christmas break the kids and I can take our sweet time learning about the animals and how to feed them.

[ComicBookMama]

I definitely plan on the storage tub feeding method. Good thing is with the Christmas break the kids and I can take our sweet time learning about the animals and how to feed them.

You’ll LOVE feeding time! It’s so much fun to watch them chow down on their bugs, and how excited they get when they know food is coming!

[opaquelace]

I definitely plan on the storage tub feeding method. Good thing is with the Christmas break the kids and I can take our sweet time learning about the animals and how to feed them.

You’ll LOVE feeding time! It’s so much fun to watch them chow down on their bugs, and how excited they get when they know food is coming!

Lol I’m so excited honestly this Christmas is going to be great for me and the kids. They’ll be so excited. My daughter fell in love with a chameleon at the Petco a few weeks ago and both have been wanting a pet that’s theirs. We got three huge boxes in from Amazon today with a lot of their things. Cage accessories, lights, vitamins, etc. Best thing is my kids are at the campground for the weekend so I can hide all the stuff.

[opaquelace]

The enclosures are almost done being built and I couldn't be more excited! Background and tile to come after I get them, as well as painting exterior black to blend in with our home.

[ComicBookMama]

I’m so vicariously excited about this - I want to hear ALL THE DETAILS on Christmas morning! What an excellent gift from Santa!

[opaquelace]

I’m so vicariously excited about this - I want to hear ALL THE DETAILS on Christmas morning! What an excellent gift from Santa!

I’ll be taking video and I’ll post it here. The exterior of the cages will be painted black and I’ve got cork and stuff going along the back walls. I’ll actually probably put some vinyl tiles down on the inside for right now as well on the floor of the cages for easy clean up.

[ComicBookMama]

I’ll be taking video and I’ll post it here. The exterior of the cages will be painted black and I’ve got cork and stuff going along the back walls. I’ll actually probably put some vinyl tiles down on the inside for right now as well on the floor of the cages for easy clean up.

Good plan! Paper towels or newspaper for the floor will also aid in cleanup. They are prolific poopers, in terms of size... hard to believe one little lizard can produce such a pile of poo!

[opaquelace]

I’ll be taking video and I’ll post it here. The exterior of the cages will be painted black and I’ve got cork and stuff going along the back walls. I’ll actually probably put some vinyl tiles down on the inside for right now as well on the floor of the cages for easy clean up.

Good plan! Paper towels or newspaper for the floor will also aid in cleanup. They are prolific poopers, in terms of size... hard to believe one little lizard can produce such a pile of poo!

Lol I've read that. I'll probably put newspaper on top of the vinyl tiles for a while. A few more days and I'll be picking up the cages and working on them at my parents house. Painting the outside, finishing up the inside, etc.
Here's another progress picture.

[ComicBookMama]

Gorgeous habs! They're going to look stunning once you've painted them.

[opaquelace]

They're all finished (at least at the builder's house). I have to paint the exterior and finish up the inside and then we're ready for some dragons! They came out so beautiful. I was worried about having some bearded dragons in my den and how cages would look in there but I'm not worried anymore! I'll post pictures again when it's all finished, and again when I have the animals. And a video or two of my kids reactions lol. Thanks so much for all the help. It made the process a lot easier!

[Claudiusx]

The tanks turned out great!

-Brandon

[ComicBookMama]

I can’t wait to see them painted and decked out for dragons!

[opaquelace]

Wheels on and the outside painted. Tomorrow I'm putting in the cork background and some fun/funky vinyl tiles I found on Amazon on the bottoms and interior sides. The bulbs I'll actually put in Christmas Eve night and decorate the cages then too. It's getting so close!

[Claudiusx]

Awesome! I love this thread so much LOL.
It looks great! I can't wait to hear how excited your kids get

-Brandon