How soon should I start handling my baby beardie?

[nekonuggs]

Hi all! First time poster here! We just got our baby Reptar a week ago and we've been trying to make him comfortable in his new home. He is very inquisitive and curious, and after about 3 days we started petting him but I've been hestitant on trying to pick him up. Does anyone have any tips on beginning to pick up a dragon or building trust with a baby?

 

[KarrieRee]

Start w/ in the tank hand feeding - only hold for like 5 minutes at a time in the tank - he needs to be able to acclimate and get used to his surroundings - it may take him a while - get some BSFL from here http://www.symtonbsf.com
Make sure your using a long tube fixture like a Zoo Med or Sunblaster Nano or a Arcadia Pro T 5 for a UVB NO COILS --they are NO good - basking temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stick ons they are inaccurate -- he will stop eating all together if these things are incorrect
I would get a 24" fixture for a 40 + gallon tank

 

[nekonuggs]

Start w/ in the tank hand feeding - only hold for like 5 minutes at a time in the tank - he needs to be able to acclimate and get used to his surroundings - it may take him a while - get some BSFL from here http://www.symtonbsf.com
Make sure your using a long tube fixture like a Zoo Med or Sunblaster Nano or a Arcadia Pro T 5 for a UVB NO COILS --they are NO good - basking temps need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stick ons they are inaccurate -- he will stop eating all together if these things are incorrect
I would get a 24" fixture for a 40 + gallon tank

Thank you for all of this advice! Unfortunately, we bought all of the wrong supplies before I found my way here. So we have gotten a new UVB tube, just need to get the fixture when I get paid next and we're looking for a 40 gallon tank to replace the 20 that we were told to get. Despite a couple of things being wrong with his current set up, Reptar has been eating pretty regularly and I have only noticed sesame seed belly once in the week that we've had him. I have an cut of one of my partner's old flannels in his tank right now to get used to.

 

[KarrieRee]

24" fixture comes https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html w/ a 5.0 bulb use that till the 40 gallon is purchased then get a 22" Reptsiun 10.0 T 5 bulb --- the 5.0 MUST BE unobstructed place it width wise on the tank on one end the basking decor should be 6-8 inches directly under it -- what tube do you have now?

 

[nekonuggs]

24" fixture comes https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html w/ a 5.0 bulb use that till the 40 gallon is purchased then get a 22" Reptsiun 10.0 T 5 bulb --- the 5.0 MUST BE unobstructed place it width wise on the tank on one end the basking decor should be 6-8 inches directly under it -- what tube do you have now?

Sadly, we got this start kit tank that came with a coil https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/ha...rrarium-essentials-kit---20-gallon-54181.html I recently bought an 18" T8 bulb that I have been looking for a reliable but cost effective fixture for.

 

[KarrieRee]

www.pangeareptiles.com -- zoo med

 

[nekonuggs]

http://www.pangeareptiles.com -- zoo med

Thank you!