Hi I am new to both having Beardies and to this forum. I am greatful for forums like this as the pet stores know nothing about the animals they sell. I have already learned alot by browsing the forum and I am looking forward to learning even more.
I have an exoctic Beardie (whatever that means) and it is about 8" long. Not sure how old that would be but it is really cute and although very scared, pretty friendly. He (don't really know the sex) lets me feed him crickets with tongs. I have him in a 29 right now but am searching Craigslist for a 40G breeder tank for his permanent home. I am using a Repti Glo 10 tube and a 75W Glo bulb for heat. I have been reading that the UV bulb needs to stretch along the basking area and the tank but I can't figure out how I am supposed to have the basking light and the tube in the same spot. If you have suggestions about that I would appreciate it. I have rocks (which I baked in the oven) stacked up to about 7 or 8" from the lights. The basking temp is 100. I wonder if that is ok?
As far as feeding, I have read/heard so many different opinions on the amout he is supposed to eat. I have been giving him about 6 dusted with calcium with the tongs in the morning before I go to work. Then when I get home I move to him to a 15G and put a few more in there. He eats all of them. I also gave him a wax worm today and he ate it. I have turnip greens and collard greens in a dish for him all the time.
As for water, I have also heard different opions. I do have a shallow dish in his enclosure. I also gave him a bath which he didn't seem to mind. Some people say to mist him (which I tried and he just closed his eyes) and others say not to mist. Please advise as to what you do so that I can make sure he doesn't dehydrate.
Lastly, should I be handling him now or let him get unstressed. He does flatten out or run away when I want to pick him up so I am pretty sure he is quite scared of me.
Thank you for your help.
I have an exoctic Beardie (whatever that means) and it is about 8" long. Not sure how old that would be but it is really cute and although very scared, pretty friendly. He (don't really know the sex) lets me feed him crickets with tongs. I have him in a 29 right now but am searching Craigslist for a 40G breeder tank for his permanent home. I am using a Repti Glo 10 tube and a 75W Glo bulb for heat. I have been reading that the UV bulb needs to stretch along the basking area and the tank but I can't figure out how I am supposed to have the basking light and the tube in the same spot. If you have suggestions about that I would appreciate it. I have rocks (which I baked in the oven) stacked up to about 7 or 8" from the lights. The basking temp is 100. I wonder if that is ok?
As far as feeding, I have read/heard so many different opinions on the amout he is supposed to eat. I have been giving him about 6 dusted with calcium with the tongs in the morning before I go to work. Then when I get home I move to him to a 15G and put a few more in there. He eats all of them. I also gave him a wax worm today and he ate it. I have turnip greens and collard greens in a dish for him all the time.
As for water, I have also heard different opions. I do have a shallow dish in his enclosure. I also gave him a bath which he didn't seem to mind. Some people say to mist him (which I tried and he just closed his eyes) and others say not to mist. Please advise as to what you do so that I can make sure he doesn't dehydrate.
Lastly, should I be handling him now or let him get unstressed. He does flatten out or run away when I want to pick him up so I am pretty sure he is quite scared of me.
Thank you for your help.