Considering getting a BD

[FreedomEagle50]

Hello everyone Mike (FreedomEagle50) here. I am considering getting a BD and I just had a couple of questions first so that I can make my decision. I've been reading a lot on these forums :study: to gather as much info as i can, and it has been very helpful and motivating.
Here are some of my questions and concerns.


1) I have two big cats, can possible keep them out of my room if needed, would they cause a problem with a baby BD?
2) I've read about BDs having stress spots, do these fade quickly when they aren't stressed/scared anymore?
3) I've read some people recommend holding them the first day, some say wait a few days. Your intake on this theory?
4) For the inclosure, best and safest thing for the floor? Some say calcium sand, some say a tile, some say a paper, some say rug?
5) How much do you think it will cost for a beginner to get started?
6) Approximately what is a monthly caring bill (minus electricity) for a single BD usually?
7) When they show their beard is that only a sign of being scared/tough?

I live in Southern California if that makes any difference.

Also here is my main concern on feeding them, and also the times I should have light on and off. I am going to write out the hours I am usually out of the house for work and academy to help me figure out a possible time frame to be able to best feed a BD

Monday- I'm usually home all day other than a few hours at the gym
Tuesday- Gone from about 330pm-1130pm/12am
Wednesday- 5pm-1130pm
Thursday 330pm-1130pm/12am
Friday- 4pm-8pm bed by 10pm ish
Saturday- 530am-6pm
Sunday- 530am-6pm-8pm
I am a big animal lover and would love to have something to come home to, to let me relax after my long academy days/nights. My cats don't do that but from everything I've read BD will. :mrgreen:

Any information, tips, tricks would be awesome. Like I've said before, I don't have one yet.


Here are some pictures of my current pets. I know members here love pictures so I might as well start my first post with some 8)

Apollo





His brother Rocky




when I said big cats, I wasn't kidding. They are both this big, not fat, just big. Here is Apollo next to my SIZE 15 SHOE!!




My old buddy (about 12-14 years old) Cosmo a Cockatail





Cosmo signing to Apollo




These are my uncles pets, but I just had to share it. Looks like a start of a UFC fight, funny part is the cats actually started wrestling.





thanks again to everyone, and hopefully everyone has a safe holiday season.

 

[Gail]

1) I have two big cats, can possible keep them out of my room if needed, would they cause a problem with a baby BD?
It can, cats have been know to bust through a screen lid and eat a baby dragon. You would have to teach the cats to completely ignore the dragon and make sure they can't get to the cage while you are gone. If you use a wooden cage with sliding doors, its not a issue.
2) I've read about BDs having stress spots, do these fade quickly when they aren't stressed/scared anymore?
Usually the go away when a dragon is comfortable but some show them all the time as natural coloring. Stress marks is a misleading name, there are lots of other causes.
3) I've read some people recommend holding them the first day, some say wait a few days. Your intake on this theory?
Give them time to settle in. Once they are eating well, then you can start holding them.
4) For the inclosure, best and safest thing for the floor? Some say calcium sand, some say a tile, some say a paper, some say rug?
Never, ever use calcium sand, its deadly to dragons. Stick with tile or shelfliner.
5) How much do you think it will cost for a beginner to get started?
Depends on the caging you go with. $300.00 is a good estimate but that doesn't include the dragon
6) Approximately what is a monthly caring bill (minus electricity) for a single BD usually?
$20-$80+, depends on the age of the dragon and the feeders you choose. Babies eat a lot and thats why you either want to order crickets in bulk or start a dubia colony
7) When they show their beard is that only a sign of being scared/tough?
Not necessarily, they can and do stretch them just because.

 

[FreedomEagle50]

No calcium, understood.

 

[kjinxx2]

I spent roughly $450 to start up from literally nothing. This included:

- 40G Breeder tank
- Light fixtures
- ReptiSun 10 bulb
- Tile
- Tank Decor
- Light timer
- Dubia roaches (35 females, 10 males, 200'ish mediums, 1000 smalls)
- Dubia breeding set up - egg carton, water crystals, bin, etc
- Acurite Digital Thermometer
- Feeding plates
- Calcium dust
- Vitamin dust
- Roach food

and lastly, the bearded dragon himself

I'm probably missing an item or two, but that will get you going and keep your prices down around $2 - $3 per week for feeding (if you get a dubia colony). Otherwise you'll have to buy feeders and that can be pretty pricey


Ken

 

[FreedomEagle50]

Where do u keep the dibias at? Inside ? Outside? Garage?

 

[AtlasStrike]

Dubias need a temperature of about 90F to breed. You can keep them anywhere as long as you can keep the temps steady. I wouldn't keep them outside though, any animal in its right mind would break open the tub for a feast, whether on the roaches themselves or the roach food.

My setup was probably about $150-200 sans dragon. I got the tank (a 55 gallon which will need to be upgraded eventually because of the dimensions) for $65 on Craig's list, but it will be hard to find a kitty proof enclosure used.

As for the lighting schedule, get a light timer. It's fabulous. For your schedule, I would say set it so the lights come on at 10:30am and go off at 2:30am, that way you have time to spend with your buddy. You will want to get feeders that are easily contained in a dish (like phoenix worms or dubia) and leave them along with salad in your beardies cage in the mornings when you leave. That way they can eat at their leisure while you are away. When you get home, you can even do a second feeding, as long as they have a few hours to bask before bed so the food doesn't sit in their bellies all night.

 

[kjinxx2]

Where do u keep the dibias at? Inside ? Outside? Garage?

I keep my dubias inside my closet, I'll post a picture later !

 

[FreedomEagle50]

Sweet thanks

 

[kjinxx2]

Hidden away nicely in my closet:

*Note the heating pad is on a shelf with room to ventilate, if you put it on the floor it will ruin your floor.

Closer look:

Inside the box:

*Note the egg crate across the top, this is incase any unsuspecting person opens the container, they don't see the brunt of the animals

Under the top egg crate:

Not too bad

 

[FreedomEagle50]

Dubias need a temperature of about 90F to breed. You can keep them anywhere as long as you can keep the temps steady. I wouldn't keep them outside though, any animal in its right mind would break open the tub for a feast, whether on the roaches themselves or the roach food.

My setup was probably about $150-200 sans dragon. I got the tank (a 55 gallon which will need to be upgraded eventually because of the dimensions) for $65 on Craig's list, but it will be hard to find a kitty proof enclosure used.

As for the lighting schedule, get a light timer. It's fabulous. For your schedule, I would say set it so the lights come on at 10:30am and go off at 2:30am, that way you have time to spend with your buddy. You will want to get feeders that are easily contained in a dish (like phoenix worms or dubia) and leave them along with salad in your beardies cage in the mornings when you leave. That way they can eat at their leisure while you are away. When you get home, you can even do a second feeding, as long as they have a few hours to bask before bed so the foood doesn't sit in their bellies all night.

Yeah I was thinking if getting a timer for sure if I get one..
Also how come u are getting a 55 I thought 40's are big enough.

 

[kjinxx2]

40 gallon breeder tanks are big enough, their dimensions are roughly 36" L X 18" W X 16" H. He already has the 55 gallon, but their dimensions are 48 1/4 x 12 3/4 x 21 and therefore are not wide enough for an adult bearded dragon.

 

[FreedomEagle50]

So you recommed going straight to a bigger thank, 55, so I won't have to buy two? Or does it take a few years to get there?

For the dubia, are those contsiners have any weird smell to it, that you can smell from a few feet away?

 

[kjinxx2]

I can't smell it at all. Not even the closet smells. The 55 will not be wide enough. You need a 40 gallon breeder.

 

[AtlasStrike]

Yeah, beardies need floor space. The 55 gallon I have now is four feet long, but it is only a foot wide. As an adult, Charlie will likely be too large to turn around comfortably in a tank that size. Right now he is about 14 inches, my partner and I are hoping he can stay in this tank comfortably until the weather warms up so we can build and cure his custom cage outside. The ideal cage size for an adult beardie is 4x2x2. If you build or order something with these dimensions initially, you will have a permanent and spacious home for your dragon.

 

[FreedomEagle50]

Ok cool. How long have you had yours