Hello! Soon-to-be Beardie mom here.

cpBD

Member
Beardie name(s)
Sully
Hi everyone!

I've been reading everything in this forum the past couple of weeks, as I get ready for my new baby (he'll be about 8 weeks when I pick him up in 10 days).

I really appreciate all the info here, and have a 48 x 24 x 24 Zen Habitats tank, Zoo Med Reptisun T5 10.0, 75W halogen basking light, and CHE for nighttime, as well as a Herpstat2 to maintain temps. Will be setting it all up this week to get it dialed in before his arrival.

I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions, and I'm so happy to have found such a helpful community, and appreciate how generous everyone is in sharing their knowledge.

I've never had a dragon before, but a friend has one who is completely charming and so full of personality. I'm very excited to add one to my family.
 

hdochow

Sub-Adult Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Sir Henry of Scales
welcome to the forums and the club of people absolutely possessed by small scaly critters! they really do run us, which is how it should be.

looking over your profile, things look pretty good. some things just take tweaking over time, like which basking bulb you need for correct temperatures, so it is good you are working on it before he comes home. one thing i would suggest is getting a couple digital probe thermometers. depending on what surface you are reading off of, they are much more accurate than the IR guns. i used my probes to find a constant temp on my basking spot and then measured it with the IR gun so i can do quick temp checks and know how far off the IR gun is. then i don't have to move the probe all the time.

have you figured out what insect you are going to use for a staple feeder yet? and what about salads? this is a great website as far as safe foods go. although kale is just fine as a staple where it says not so often. Nutrition Content

do not hesitate to ask questions if you need to. there are a ton of great people on here with loads of good information. can't wait to see pics of your baby once he is home.
 

Hazel_Basil10

Sub-Adult Member
Beardie name(s)
Hazel my female two year old beardie
One tip about feeding insects is that you wanna have it small enough that it goes in between their eyes especially crickets. if it is bigger then their eyes, then it can cause some issues:)
 

cpBD

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Sully
One tip about feeding insects is that you wanna have it small enough that it goes in between their eyes especially crickets. if it is bigger then their eyes, then it can cause some issues:)
Thank you! I’m going ultra-conservative and ordering extra-small (1/4”) Dubias to start, as well as the smallest BSFL. There are sooo many details, and I appreciate all of you experienced owners sharing your insights!
 

cpBD

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Sully
welcome to the forums and the club of people absolutely possessed by small scaly critters! they really do run us, which is how it should be.

looking over your profile, things look pretty good. some things just take tweaking over time, like which basking bulb you need for correct temperatures, so it is good you are working on it before he comes home. one thing i would suggest is getting a couple digital probe thermometers. depending on what surface you are reading off of, they are much more accurate than the IR guns. i used my probes to find a constant temp on my basking spot and then measured it with the IR gun so i can do quick temp checks and know how far off the IR gun is. then i don't have to move the probe all the time.

have you figured out what insect you are going to use for a staple feeder yet? and what about salads? this is a great website as far as safe foods go. although kale is just fine as a staple where it says not so often. Nutrition Content

do not hesitate to ask questions if you need to. there are a ton of great people on here with loads of good information. can't wait to see pics of your baby once he is home.
Thank you so much—I’m using a herpstat2 that has temp probes, but will also get digital probes to make sure the herpstat is staying accurate.

For feeding, I’m planning to start out w 1/4-inch Dubias, and small BSFL. For salads, thinking mustard greens, collards, kale, and dandelion greens. Also probably will test various beardie-safe veg to see what he likes, starting w butternut squash and sweet potatoes (cut into super-tiny, smaller than the space between his eyes).

For bonding/training, what baby-safe high-value foods do you like to use as a treat?
 

hdochow

Sub-Adult Member
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Sir Henry of Scales
Thank you so much—I’m using a herpstat2 that has temp probes, but will also get digital probes to make sure the herpstat is staying accurate.

For feeding, I’m planning to start out w 1/4-inch Dubias, and small BSFL. For salads, thinking mustard greens, collards, kale, and dandelion greens. Also probably will test various beardie-safe veg to see what he likes, starting w butternut squash and sweet potatoes (cut into super-tiny, smaller than the space between his eyes).

For bonding/training, what baby-safe high-value foods do you like to use as a treat?
i forgot the herpstats have probes. i don't use one myself. so if you want to use a digital probe as back up you'd only need 1 instead of 2.

for the food, that sounds like a good plan. both your insects can be bought from Quality Live Dubia for Your Pet | Dubia.com. i get my dubias there and they are great. never had a problem with an order.

there is an added bonus with the roaches, too. they can eat any leftover salad your dragon doesn't eat. at lights out we give what ever is left to them and then take what is left, if anything, out in the morning. that way the nutrients get into him either way. have you got your supplements yet? you're going to want calcium and vitamins.

we didn't really use food as a bonding thing. once he got past the relocation stress period we just got in the habit of reaching in and giving a little head or chin scratch every time we went by the enclosure. it got him used to our hands in small doses. now he's like "you're gonna touch me, ok fine". if you don't already know, when you reach in, make sure you approach from the side instead of from above. coming from above nature kicks in and they can get spooked thinking you are a predator.

for treats, sir henry is all about the raspberries!
 

Hazel_Basil10

Sub-Adult Member
Beardie name(s)
Hazel my female two year old beardie
What are the lights you are getting? No coils! And make sure that the long tube is a T5 or a T8 and it needs to be short enough to have a cool side so that way he can cool himself off
 

cpBD

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Sully
Thank you—definitely a critical piece, the lighting. I would have had no clue, but after reading so much great info here, I'm following Karrie's recommendations and getting a 22" Zoo Med Reptisun T5 10.0 (hanging it inside the tank), and for basking bulb I have a clear halogen 75W and also a 100W (not going to use both at the same time, just getting both so I have more flexibility to choose whichever works best to get the right basking temps at the proper distance. Also got a CHE for nighttime in case I need it to maintain the overnight temps. (It's not particularly cold where I live, but I do sometimes run the AC.)
 

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Clapton is acclimating okay I think. He's quick as lightning so I'm not sure how much I should bring him out of his house yet. He's not at all interested in his salad though. I wonder if I should change what I'm giving him. Least he's eating his crickets.

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