First time beardie owner

[Beardedragonlove86]

Since the first time I've held a bearded dragon I knew I wanted one. A week from today I bring home my first bearded dragon I am so excited! So far I know the bearded will be a baby. I've been doing me research on here reading about lighting, diet, how to set up my tank, handling. I've heard different things about what to feed and what not to feed such yes to feeding them mealworms but then also hearing somewhere else not to. Kind of confusing. I also heard that you should wait a week until you handle you new beardie so that they can get use to there new place. Well I think that's all for now I can't wait to post pics when I bring home my new beardie.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

Welcome to the forums! Always good to see a beardie owner actually do some research first!
If you have a baby beardie, don't feed them mealworms. Whatever someone else told you, it can cause some serious issues in your baby beardie. Adults can eat them, but younger bearded dragons will have trouble digesting the, especially their outer shell. That outer shell can cause impaction in the beardie (basically a clog in the intestines), which can lead to some pretty bad things, including death. Just feed them better staples, such as phoenix worms, dubia roaches, crickets, and red runner roaches (gotta be careful with the red runners as they can become pests if they get loose).
For handling, it depends on the beardie. If your beardie is skittish, you should take your time with picking them up and waiting for them to get used to you. If your beardie just does not care if you pick him up, then go ahead and pick him up, but be careful with him getting away and hiding in a corner! Either way, you can always move your beardie before they are comfortable with you if you need to do something with them or their habitat. They won't be traumatized from you just picking them up.
If you have anymore questions, don't hesitate to ask!

 

[Beardedragonlove86]

Can I only feed just Phoenix worms to a baby beardie. Or can I feed them butter worm and wax worms too? Since I've heard that they are suppose to have a variety.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

Butter worms and wax worms are terrible feed for a baby bearded dragon. They are very much like junk food and should only be used as snacks. I would avoid using them as even that for now, though, as beardies can sometimes try to eat only just that if they can.
If you want other suggestions for feeders, you could go with crickets and dubia roaches. Just make sure that the feeders are no bigger than the space between your beardies eyes. I highly suggest dubia roaches, as they are so easy to maintain and so easy to catch for your beardie. The size you should get highly depends on the size of your lizard, and if you are getting a baby, it might be best to get the smallest size.

 

[Beardedragonlove86]

Thank you very much for all the information about what to feed and what not to feed my baby beardie.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

No problem! If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Beardedragonlove86]

Wow it's been a busy day transitioning my new baby beardie to it's new home but a smooth transition too. I haven't decided yet if I want a background for the tank so I just have newspaper on all three sides of the tank. I'm wanting to post a photo not exactly sure how.

 

[Beardedragonlove86]

This my beardie I got today. I've got names picked out already just have to figure out if it's a girl or boy.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

He/she looks great! Did you try cleaning off that branch before putting it in there? If you haven't I suggest you clean it.
There is a link on the right for sexing your bearded dragon, though it will be harder with your beardie's age.

 

[Beardedragonlove86]

Do you mean like cleaning off the frayed parts of the branch? And do I just rinse it off like rinsing the hide away?

 

[Rampagingraptor]

You should try making sure the frayed parts won't stick into your beardie in any way, just in case.
You should definitely try to clean it off, though. You can try to throw it in the oven. Put it in for 30 minutes at 300. You can also use a 10% bleach solution if you want to be sure.

 

[Beardedragonlove86]

Ok the oven it is for the climbing branch. I wish they would have told me that where I got my beardie and the stuff from. Thank you again

 

[Rampagingraptor]

No problem at all!

 

[Beardedragonlove86]

Another question I've read up on veggies good for beardies but my baby beardie didn't touch it's salad yesterday I know that could have a lot to do with transition. But if I still have difficulty getting my beardie to eat it's salad do you have any suggestions?

 

[Rampagingraptor]

How old your beardie is kinda matters. Seeing as yours is so young, I wouldn't worry too much about it yet. Still offer veggies, but he/she will still go for insects more than anything. Its once your beardie starts getting to be a year old you want to try to transition into more of a veggie diet.
Keep offering however many bugs he/she wants for a 15 minute period 2-3 times every day and you should be just fine.