Hi there all, I am brand new in the bearded dragon keeping community.I can say that I love all animals and have committed myself to providing a healthy comfortable enviroment for my little Gex. I purchased a 36inch long,16 inch high,18 inch wide glass reptile cage for Gex I am using a full spectrum 25 watt flourescent light for lighting and 150n watt "lightless" heat emmiter for basking.
Like already stated, get rid of both these lights. The only time you need a lightless heat emitter is if in the fall/winter the night time temperatures drop below 60 degrees. Then he'll have heat without any light disturbing his sleep.
And for the flourescent tube you need one that emits UVA/UVB rays. Either a reptiglo 8.0, or the Reptisun 10.0 which is even better. ESU brand is crap, so if the pet store tries to sell you and ESU desert sun don't buy it.
I am using Zoo-Med Vita-Sand as substrate.
Get rid of this too
Sands from pet stores are not safe. They can cause impaction. Beardies constantly taste their surroundings, and when they lick the sand, if they ingest it, it can harden in their stomaches (yes, even if the bag says digestable, great for calcium, and wont clump in stomache) there HAVE been beardies who have died from reptile sands, so it's a definite fact that they are a health risk.
Switch to something that can't be swallowed like non-adhesive shelf liner or tiles.
I have had Gex. ( My 7 year old daughter named him) for 4 days now. I have been alternating baby gut -filled crickets one day and veggies the next. I have read that I should be feeding mostly crickets at this stage. Is this True?
Was he named after the video game character? I never played that series but I know there's a game about a Gecko named Gex....
Do not alternate! He needs crickets every day. How big is the beardie? I assume he's a baby since you just got him? Crickets should never be larger than the space between his eyes.
Also you should feed him 3 times a day... see how many crickets he'll eat in 15 minutes each feeding. You may find yourself going through anywhere between 30 and 100 crickets per day!!!
Also, do you know about dusting? 5 meals a week (1 meal, 5 days) needs to be dusted with Rep-Cal calcium w/D3. 2 meals a week (1 meal the other 2 days) should be dusted with RepCal Herptivite.
Also offer greens every day (no iceburg lettuce. Stuff like escarole, collards, mustards, etc.) He won't eat too much, but should still have the option to pick.
Any advice You can give me concerning my new family member will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a million
Do you have a thermometer yet to measure basking temps and cool side temps? You'll need a digital probe thermometer or a temp gun. No stick-on ones.... they dont work good and temperature is extremely important. Without the right temps they wont eat well or digest their food. Basking spot should be around 110*F and cool 1/2 between 75-85.
Hope this helps!
