tigerlily":dbac2 said:
Thank you for your advice, Bianca and Ozzysmom. As I mentioned earlier, I'll stop by the petshop and pick up some crickets on my way home and I'll be sure to ask for the pinhead size. The other worms you mention -- are those usually hard to find in pet stores? I really don't think my roommates would put up with having roaches in the house -- will the crickets be enough by themselves or should I order some worms too?
I know there are some that offer a wide variety, but a lot of people just feed crickets and salad. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think feeding just crickets will hurt your beardie at all.
As for the roaches, I certainly understand. It would be so much cheaper, but I just can't keep tubs of roaches in my house...lol
I've never been able to find silkies or phoenix worms at any of my local stores. If you find a local reptile shop, you might be able to get them that way....otherwise you'll have to order them if you want to try them.
tigerlily":dbac2 said:
I'll probably get some reptile carpet since that would probably look the nicest.
That's what I use :wink: It's not as easy to clean as some of the other things you just wipe off, but it looks nice and I like its soft texture. I just put tiles up on Ozzy's basking platform so he can warm his belly up better. The instructions for the reptile carpet say to hand wash....I put mine in the machine and dry it (on medium) too. So far I've had it a couple months and it's still fine (though it has shrank about 1/4" or so).
tigerlily":dbac2 said:
Something I find frustrating is that I see a lot of conflicting advice on the internet for these guys, as I mentioned earlier.
Yes, you will find a lot of conflicting info. Though if you start reading lots of stuff, you'll notice most agree and there will be a few here or there that don't. In that case I stick with the majority. The biggest problem is that anyone can become an author on the web without any sort of education, experience, or endorsements. You have to look at the author's credentials before taking them too seriously.
Basically what I look for is someone that's raised several beardies successfully for several years. I figure if they were successful, their husbandry practices must be pretty good.
Just to let you know, I've only been a beardie owner since May. However, I am on here constantly....trying to learn as much about my critter as I possibly can. I am also close friends with a vet, who I can bounce questions off of........and my hubby has a lot of knowlege from his 30yrs of reptile experience before I met him. I still ask questions all the time and learn new things daily. (I never knew reptiles passed gas....I learned that yesterday...LOL)
I will never give advice unless I'm sure of my answers and have read a lot of information to back them, and can provide the sites for you to also read it. If I'm uncertain of something, I either leave it out of my post, or let you know I'm not sure about it.
tigerlily":dbac2 said:
I'll browse this site some more and see if there are some recommended books so I won't have to pester everyone with posts.
Don't ever feel like you're pestering anyone. We're all here to learn and help each other. I don't always write such long posts....and hope that the poster will look some stuff up because they don't always ask a lot of important questions.
You, however, are asking very good questions that are important to your beardie's health. As long as I'm not too tied up with the family, I'm more than happy to help out as much as possible.
tigerlily":dbac2 said:
And if I can figure out how, I'll post some pictures of my setup so maybe you can give me some feedback on it.
We all love pictures here!
First go to
http://www.photobucket.com and create an account. Then upload your pics into your photobucket account.
Once you have them loaded, underneath each one will be an html address. Then:
1. While typing the body of your post on this site, click the "Img" button above.
2. Copy the html address under your photo on the photobucket site into the body of your post on this forum (right after you click Img).
3. After pasting, then click the "Img" button above again.
4. When finished with entire post click "Submit".
tigerlily":dbac2 said:
I think the MVB light sounds like a better lighting option for me right now, since the tank is quite deep, but I'll look at other possible options for basking. .
MVB is supposed to be great. It's UVB intensity is much higher than that of a normal
UVB bulb, and really brings out the colors of your beardie. It also makes them more active from what I've read. The biggest drawback, and the reason I don't use one, is that they are pretty pricey. Since I haven't used them yet, I'm not sure which one is best. Though if you start a separate post....labeled "what is the best MVB to buy" you will get tons of help. Be sure to ask how long they last and if the company gives replacements for bulbs that don't last their stated hours. I know some brands have a tendency to burn out way too fast.
tigerlily":dbac2 said:
I saw a repti-net in one of the stores that you can attach with suction cups. Are those good for them, do they get their toenails caught in them?
I know a bunch of people here use them and haven't heard of any problems. I have no experience with them. I just thought it looked like something Ozzy would get his nails caught in, so I never got one. You might be able to find someone else that can answer this better.
tigerlily":dbac2 said:
I pride myself on taking excellent care of every animal I've ever owned, but this is my first reptile so I'm really nervous.
I'm sure you'll be a super beardie slave....err....mommie. Just the fact you're here shows you care a lot. Don't worry too much. Ozzy was my first reptile too. You'll learn quick. You'll also become so attached that you'll trade any one of your human children (bf, friends...if you don't have kids) for the health of your dragon....just kidding....I think :lol:
**Here's some light reading for you:
http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=31067 It was posted on here a couple weeks back and will give you a few chuckles. You'll laugh even more if you re-read it in a few weeks....because you'll realize every one of them is true...LOL