Hey *Waves*

[Isis]

I am new here, and new to owning a beardie. Even though I have done a lot of research many years ago, as I've always wanted one, but I am all new to this, but have kept snakes for years.
I got him on Sunday, complete with a viv, which is about 3-4 foot, sand and a twisted log, water bowl and food bowl, and lighting UV and heat light. His previous owner, didn't want him any more as they were getting "bored" and wanted to get rid of him, he then went to my step-mum's sister, but her friend had a panic attack, so he has come here. I am not sure what sex he is, by looking through my book and reading about their behaviour I am presuming he is a boy, so I have called him Charlie, just in case he happens to be a girl. I think he is about a year old, he's big, but not a baby or an adult, he must be at least 12-15 inches long. I don't know much about him, other then what I have already said, I don't know what he has been fed on, although I was told his previous owner gave him crickets at "treats"... But not sure what fruit or veg he has been given. But he didn't come with anything other then what I stated and some calcium power.

That is Charlie...

Well about me, my name is Jenny I am 30, I come from England. I also have two rabbits, a continental giant and a little lionhead. Not really much to say really...

 

[Claudiusx]

Welcome to the site Jenny!

Aw charlie is cute!!

I wouldn't put too much faith into getting your info from books. A lot of the books out on bearded dragons were written a long time ago. This would be the best place to get information from

-Brandon

 

[Isis]

I joined the forum, so I can learn more, then what a few pages from a book can teach me, learnt that through keeping rabbits. Just want to give the best life I can possibly for Charlie.

But there was something I would like to know, I know the bigger the viv the happier he'll probably. But what is the minimum size viv that would be ideal for a adult male bearded dragon. In "my book" it says 72inches is the minimum, but when I went to pet@home (UK) it says 3ft/36inch. Just seems a little too small if you ask me. I know I really shouldn't go by what a pet shop says, because they're nearly always wrong. But just would like your import on size?

 

[Claudiusx]

For an adult, the minimum would be a 3x2x2, but its recommended to house adults in a 4x2x2

-Brandon

 

[Isis]

Would he get stressed out if he was in anything bigger then 4ft?

 

[Claudiusx]

No, that is just a myth to be honest.

I don't know why people think they will get stressed out if their tank is big, hehe

-Brandon

 

[Isis]

Sorry, the only reptile I've ever owned is snakes, and I know they don't like to be in a viv that is too big.

 

[Isis]

I have so many questions... :study:

About lighting and heat:
At night, I've read that they need to be in darkness,and the temperature needs to be between 20-25c, but not to go below 17c, but all he has a UV light and heat light. Would it be a good idea to buy a heat mat?