Getting a Dragon this weekend

[Little_Critter]

Hi guys!
I'm new here although I've been lurking for a couple weeks. This weekend I am getting a BD from someone I know. After reading this forum I've learned that this little guy has not been recieving proper care and i'm a bit worried i might be getting in over my head for a first time beardie owner. The person told me that he was obtained in Jan as a hatchling so this would make him approx. 9 months old. When I saw him beginning of Aug he was approx. 6-8 inches. He has been living in a 20L with no UVB light or heat light that I saw. I also don't think the diet has been correct although she does have him on paper towels so that's about the only thing right so far. However he does look alert and active and I didn't notice any shakes or other indicators of problems. She says he eats well and poop's well.
This is the setup I have set up for him:
a 75 gal aquarium (we obtained it for free)
Slate tile as a substrate
Slate rock basking area
A megaray 160sb UVB/Heat Lamp
Basking area gets about 110* (but not until after about 3hrs...is that ok or should i get another light on there?) Temp is measured with a digital probe thermometer from walmart
I plan on feeding roaches and pheonix worms, maybe silkworms along with salad (with all the good stuff-no lettuce and appropriate veggies)
I've got the rep-cal calcium w/out D3, rep-cal calcium with D3 and herptivite for dusting bugs.
I've also got a vet appointment already setup for monday (we've got a new kitten also so we're just going to make a day trip out of it )
Anything i'm forgetting?
I'm really excited about getting a BD. I didn't used to be into reptiles until they sent me to work at the reptile house this summer at the zoo and it was a blast!! So then of course I had to get something scaley at my house
and just a question:
We also have 2 cats, the new kitten and another fairly active young cat. So far they have both left the beardie set up alone i'm thinking that might change when the animal gets in there. There is a screen top on the enclosure secured with clips and heavy book so i'm no so worried about them getting into the tank and hurting the dragon but I am worried about them messing up the light or getting injured by the MVB. I don't think there is enough room for them to get underneath and I'd like to assume that cats are smart enough to stay away from hot things but does anyone have any tips for keeping the cats away?
Thanks much! I'm really excited and I'm sure i'll be posting more when I get the little guy

~Sara

 

[Chris]

Basking area gets about 110* (but not until after about 3hrs...is that ok or should i get another light on there?)

no, no extra light is necesssary, they generally say 100-110, so the temps would be within that range before 3 hours..

i think the megarays are supposed to be 12 inches away from the dragon fro optimum output.
someone might like to confirm that for me since i use the reptiglo flouros.

a few hours in teh sun a week is a great boost fro the UVB when the weather permits it,..!!



wow, you sound ready!

make the tank as safe as possible cos too many cats are interested and some have gotten in the tank to the lizard.
i've heard people use spray bottles when teh cat looks interested to spray it, but i guess that would only work fro stay home people.

i think they actual cat should be smart enough to not burn itself, its not something i've ever seen posted in my year or so here, so i dont think its would be much of a problem.

anyway,, congrats on your first scaley baby!
i bet within a year you'll have more! he doesnt sound to messed up fro a beginner, plus, you'll get a tonne of help on this site, we all want to help as much as possible,..!!


dont over do the supplements, tehyre only supplements, while hes still gorowing i'd do calcium 3-4 times a week (more if he is having probs from incorrect care) and the multi no more than 2x a week. vitamins are easy to overdose on, mine have been teh healthiest theyrve ever been since i user teh vitamins 1x a fortnight and cal 1x a week. (theyre fully grown though, which is y i recommend more 4 urs)

umm,,..anything youve frgotten?


hydration/baths/misting?
misting not to be done in tank, high humidity causes respriitory infections.
hydration is very improtant fro appetite and digestion, i bathe my girls daily, mist them often (like 10 times a day) and give them diluted juice via syringe every 3-4 days when tehy ask fro it. tehy drink 10-15mls. theyre not desert animals and need water, although they rarely drink from bowls.

well. sounds like hes gonna have a great home!
i hope u feel like a fabulous person for taking him on!! :lol: