Future Dragon Owner

[bkelley]

Had a green iguana a few years back that was awesome and I've been looking for another scaly friend ever since I had to put my Iggy down. I was considering getting a uromastyx, but I'm looking for a more interactive companion and I think a beardie would be perfect. Actually thinking about getting a pair if I can afford it. I am planning on building a custom 5' x 2.5' x 2.5' enclosure for it/them that will have wooden walls and base with a sliding glass front and mesh lid. I have been talking with Collette from Atomic Lizard Ranch and Barry from Blood Bank Dragons and will most likely be ordering from one of them. Looking for a west coast breeder so it won't have to be shipped so far. First I need to get the enclosure built and dragon ready. I am going to be spending a lot of time on here researching topics and reading caresheets.

Oh, and my name is Bryce and I live in Las Vegas, NV. Glad to find such an informative BD website and community.

 

[Rukii]

Hi Bryce! Congrats on deciding to own a bearded dragon! You'll have so much fun with them. This site will be your beardie bible
Let me just add a few comments:
Don't house your beardies together. Even if they were from the same clutch, or seem like best friends, it will only lead to food and dominance issues, and one could end up missing a tail, limb, or even end up dead. As friendly as they seem, don't do it. Trust me.
And I'm sure someone has told you or you have read, but they need a UV tube, and everyone on this site would recommend the Reptisun 10.0 Tube, not the compact! You can read up anywhere here on temps and setup for the tanks.
We demand pics once your tank is set up, and especially once you have your beardie home! :mrgreen:

 

[bkelley]

Yeah, I was worried about keeping a pair together but the breeder said they'd do fine. I'm still not sure I want two, anyways. We'll see what happens. I am aware of the UV tube situation and will look for the Reptisun 10.0 when I go to purchase one. I will actually have the cage near a large window so the beardie will be able to check out the natural sun in the mornings.

Also, I was wondering if starting a 6" beardie in a different vivarium and then moving it to a larger one later on is okay. I was thinking about keeping it in a 30 gallon tank I have for the first couple of weeks. That way I could get one here soon and would be able to take my time building the enclosure. Or is moving them from one vivarium to another a bad idea? Debating on whether or not I want to just make a 4' x2' x2' glass tank or build a nice wooden enclosure with a sliding glass front.

 

[Rukii]

The 30gal will be fine for a while. 6 inches is still pretty small, so it will be alright to use for a month or two, depending on how fast he grows. As long as you're not moving them multiple times, they should be fine. You don't want to overload them with relocation stress. Moving them once to a bigger tank will be just fine. I wish I had the $$ or patience for building tanks myself lol :roll:

 

[bkelley]

Yeah, the one I think I'm going to get is actually 7.5" but he'll only be in the small tank for a couple of weeks. I'm gonna start him off on paper towels but how long do I have to wait before putting him on some real substrate? And what is the best substrate for them? I was thinking about washed playsand or pool filter sand.

And here is the little guy I think I going to go with.

 

[Rukii]

Wow, he's beautiful! Lucky you :wink: I wouldn't use sand at all in my opinion, especially as a juvenile. if they lick up some sand with their food, it could build up and cause impaction. I use repti-carpet for my juveniles, and I use ceramic tiles for my adults. they are so easy to clean, and you don't have any risks of sickness or impaction. Plus, it looks a lot nicer than paper towels and newspaper.

 

[Rukii]

Wow, he's beautiful! Lucky you :wink: I wouldn't use sand at all in my opinion, especially as a juvenile. if they lick up some sand with their food, it could build up and cause impaction. I use repti-carpet for my juveniles, and I use ceramic tiles for my adults. they are so easy to clean, and you don't have any risks of sickness or impaction. Plus, it looks a lot nicer than paper towels and newspaper.


***Oops, double-post

 

[bkelley]

Well, I tracked down a temporary cage and I just placed the order for him. Gonna be going over to the pet store to check out some lamps and stuff here in a minute. I can't wait to get him. I think I'm gonna name him Thor or Alan.

 

[Rukii]

Can't wait to see pics once you bring him home

 

[bkelley]

He just arrived and is healthy and very alert. I almost had to strangle the FedEx guy, though. I saw through the window as I went to open the door that he was flipping the box over quickly to check the label despite the larger lettering all over the package saying 'THIS SIDE UP, LIVE HARMLESS REPTILE INSIDE". He's already chowed down on a bunch of crickets and is currently basking in his new home. I can't believe how alert he is. He loves watching my hands when I am above the cage and stares at me when I walk up. He's also in love with his reflection haha. I've decided I'm going to name him Bane.

Here are a few pictures. And before I get yelled at, I called the breeder (Blood Bank Dragons) and Barry said that they have all their juveniles on sand and that it's fine for him. So that's why I have him on washed play sand. He just said to watch and make sure no skins gets trapped in his eyes and irritates them. If it does, they will rubs their heads in the sand and can cause damage. Said is doesn't happen very often, but to just check for watering eyes and to keep the sand clean.

 

[nair88]

cute little guy!

 

[bkelley]

I still can't believe how alert he was right from the start. He's even waving already. It's funny because the only place in his cage he hasn't really checked out is the hide.

 

[Toyguy]

Hahaha - yep, my new boy hasn't even noticed he has a hide He has his morning bath, chows down some crickets and then perches on his basking spot most of the day. I say most cause every time I look that's where he is, but his salad has been disappearing somehow!

Great looking beardie there! Quite the handsome fellow...

Dave

 

[bkelley]

Yeah, Bane spends most of his time basking as well. Then he'll make the occasional lap around and climb on his log or try and jump onto the cacti in the fake terrarium background.

 

[mrbeardie]

very nice pick up! i was looking at the blood bank dragons site and man there are some beautiful dragons on there i just want all of them haha. anyways seeing as how you live in las vegas i heard there is a really awesome reptile store that i was recommend to go see and i live in AZ, so it must be awesome. anyways the name of the place is exotic pets. there site is exoticpetslv.com. if you go check it let me know how it is. i will be coming up to vegas in august and would love to check it out so if its worth it let me know that would be awesome!