Been reading but still have NewB questions!

[crazyseany]

We are looking at getting our first dragon! Not in a hurry and want to make sure we provide sufficient housing conditions. I think I am getting a 40 breeder for its home. (I can get a 10 or 20 for temp housing while he is small if its best to do so.)

Lighting. Will probably be using a clamp light for heat with a normal bulb. Can get a desk flouescent light for the UV tube. Is it best to mount this inside at the top of the tank?

Will probably start with crickets. May switch to B. Dubias (sp).... What happens if they get out? Will they infest the house? Also will the bug the BD if left in the cage?

Is it best to get a boy or a girl or does it matter?

What is the mininum length I should consider getting? My son wants a baby one.

I plan on buying one from the pittsburgh show or maybe one of the all ohio reptile shows in Cleveland.... w

What should I look for when buying from a show?
What should "scare" me away from a booth?

I will keep reading and researching and will come back to ask more questions.

Thanks
Sean

 

[Gail]

A 40 gallon breeder will be great, some people say that a baby shouldn't be in a big cage but I've raised all my babies in a 75 gallon with no problem.

If you can mount the UVB inside the cage, then do that. No only does the dragon get more UV that way but its one less light for you to move off the lid when getting into the cage.

Dubia will not infest your house, I occasionally have a adult get out and I usually find it dead in the bathroom. They need water, without it they die fairly quickly.

Gender doesn't really matter, just get a healthy dragon that you like. Personally I prefere males just because I don't want to deal with eggs, even a unmated female can lay eggs.

Don't get anything smaller then 6 inches, that includes that tail. A bit bigger would be better for a child if your son is planning on handling it, little babies can be hard to hold on to.

Look for a bright eyed, alert, friendly baby. There will probably all run from you which is normal but you don't want one that tried to bit or hisses.
You want nice happy colors, not a dark unhappy one. You shouldn't be able to see hip bones, sunken in eyes or constantly shut eyes. The one laying in the corner alone should also be avoided and only choose one that is warm and active.
If a vendor has skinny, unhealthy looking animals and comes up with excuses like "they are just cold" or "I'm selling these for a friend", then look else where. A good vendor will have the babies set up in a display with the proper heat and food. I also won't buy from vendors who put a dragon in individual deli cups in a display case, thats ok for a snake but not a baby dragon.

Ask basic care questions, if a vendor doesn't know the basics, then find one who does.