Hey there,
We had a new friend over last night and she said she has a bearded dragon that she got for her son a while back but she feels bad because he doesn’t get as much attention as he should.
I’ve always really been into lizards (but have never owned one) so I expressed some non-committing interest. I think there’s a potential she might give him and her setup to me if I was really into it. I'm just starting to research to see if this is something I actually want to do. The more research I do, the more tempted I get.
I don't know anything about this guy really. Don't know age, sex, what size enclosure, quality of lights, etc. I do know he gets insects (not sure about veg) and has a heat light and UVB but that's it. I didn't know the questions to ask when I found out she had it so didn't ask about veggies. I am fairly sure it is an adult (>1 year? what is an adult?) but I don't know how old. We are going to their house for a dinner on the 16th so I will learn a lot more then. (And if I'm interested I think I will make the decision then, so that gives me just under 2 weeks to research!)
I was looking at videos today and saw something about using bioactive substrate. This REALLY appeals to me, as I'm a freshwater aquarium nerd and always do them with live plants - I love the natural / "realistic" look, the enrichment for the fish, and the way the systems eventually are lower maintenance becasue they attain a kind of balance.
I've found great info on bioactive setups on this forum. My main question related to that is how do you transition a dragon into a bioactive substrate? Let's say the current dragon is in an appropriate sized enclosure (who knows) that I will keep.... how do you do that? Just prepare all the supplies, and then take them out for a few hours to transition?
I think I am pretty good on feeding. Sounds like I should get a dubia roach colony going. Little grossed out by roaches but these are supposedly not bad. (Convince me).
There is a local reptile store but I've never been - will go tomorrow - so will see what they have now for food and supplies.
My other question that I can't seem to find a great answer to is how long can you keep your dragon out of their enclosure? How do you know when they're cold? I will buy a temp probe thing if the owner doesn't have one... do you use that or can you tell by behavior? My ideal situation would be handling the lizard a lot when I am home but I don't want them to get too cold. Also, same questions when you bring them outside in the summer.
For winter, we keep the house at 62 at night. Sounds like I'll need a ceramic heater? At what point should I check the temperature to see if I need it or not? The enclosure might be warmer than the ambient temp, I've read.
That's all I have right this second but I'll have more questions, I promise. I am a researcher and like to do pets right. I currently have 2 dogs - a Doberman (who is a therapy dog) and a Frenchie/Chihuahua mix, and the fish, as mentioned.
Sounds like these guys are interactive, fairly hardy if treated right, and like to be held for the most part, so can be a good first reptile pet?
Also, what should I look for when I meet the guy? What questions should I ask? I feel like if I'm into owning one I should get this one as he's not getting the attention he needs. I am sure everything was done with good intentions but what if they got petsmart info and haven't been doing proper care? Will that bite me in the butt later with vet bills etc?
Thanks in advance for the help! (And thanks for reading my super long post.)
We had a new friend over last night and she said she has a bearded dragon that she got for her son a while back but she feels bad because he doesn’t get as much attention as he should.
I’ve always really been into lizards (but have never owned one) so I expressed some non-committing interest. I think there’s a potential she might give him and her setup to me if I was really into it. I'm just starting to research to see if this is something I actually want to do. The more research I do, the more tempted I get.
I don't know anything about this guy really. Don't know age, sex, what size enclosure, quality of lights, etc. I do know he gets insects (not sure about veg) and has a heat light and UVB but that's it. I didn't know the questions to ask when I found out she had it so didn't ask about veggies. I am fairly sure it is an adult (>1 year? what is an adult?) but I don't know how old. We are going to their house for a dinner on the 16th so I will learn a lot more then. (And if I'm interested I think I will make the decision then, so that gives me just under 2 weeks to research!)
I was looking at videos today and saw something about using bioactive substrate. This REALLY appeals to me, as I'm a freshwater aquarium nerd and always do them with live plants - I love the natural / "realistic" look, the enrichment for the fish, and the way the systems eventually are lower maintenance becasue they attain a kind of balance.
I've found great info on bioactive setups on this forum. My main question related to that is how do you transition a dragon into a bioactive substrate? Let's say the current dragon is in an appropriate sized enclosure (who knows) that I will keep.... how do you do that? Just prepare all the supplies, and then take them out for a few hours to transition?
I think I am pretty good on feeding. Sounds like I should get a dubia roach colony going. Little grossed out by roaches but these are supposedly not bad. (Convince me).
There is a local reptile store but I've never been - will go tomorrow - so will see what they have now for food and supplies.
My other question that I can't seem to find a great answer to is how long can you keep your dragon out of their enclosure? How do you know when they're cold? I will buy a temp probe thing if the owner doesn't have one... do you use that or can you tell by behavior? My ideal situation would be handling the lizard a lot when I am home but I don't want them to get too cold. Also, same questions when you bring them outside in the summer.
For winter, we keep the house at 62 at night. Sounds like I'll need a ceramic heater? At what point should I check the temperature to see if I need it or not? The enclosure might be warmer than the ambient temp, I've read.
That's all I have right this second but I'll have more questions, I promise. I am a researcher and like to do pets right. I currently have 2 dogs - a Doberman (who is a therapy dog) and a Frenchie/Chihuahua mix, and the fish, as mentioned.
Sounds like these guys are interactive, fairly hardy if treated right, and like to be held for the most part, so can be a good first reptile pet?
Also, what should I look for when I meet the guy? What questions should I ask? I feel like if I'm into owning one I should get this one as he's not getting the attention he needs. I am sure everything was done with good intentions but what if they got petsmart info and haven't been doing proper care? Will that bite me in the butt later with vet bills etc?
Thanks in advance for the help! (And thanks for reading my super long post.)