I am New Here, And Recently Rescued a Bearded Dragon.

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Isis

Member
Sorry if this is in the wrong place.
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.

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Pixall

Sub-Adult Member
Hey there! Welcome to BD.org. I would suggest you take him off the sand and switch to a non particulate substrate such as tiles or paper towels. It makes it cleaner for Charlie as well as assuring he doesn't lick it up. ;p Dragons lick *everything*, and the sand can cause impaction(essentially constipation). Other than that, welcome! If you have any questions let me know, I would be more than happy to point ya in the right direction. I just rescued my little one just over a week ago, and have already learned so much from the friendly people on here. :)

Edit: I LOVE the second picture of him, looks like something out of Jurassic Park. SO CUTE! :love5:
 

Isis

Member
Original Poster
Thank you. Is there anything else you can recommend for a substrate? I was look at this stuff that was basically ground up corn?
 

Pixall

Sub-Adult Member
Isis":21ucaew3 said:
Thank you. Is there anything else you can recommend for a substrate? I was look at this stuff that was basically ground up corn?

I would go with something he can't get in his mouth on accident, such as tile(which will help keep his nails trimmed) or paper towel or newspaper. I have mine on paper towel, but will be getting tile or non adhesive shelf liner when I next go out.
 

Beardednoob

BD.org Addict
Isis":19oiaqn5 said:
Thank you. Is there anything else you can recommend for a substrate? I was look at this stuff that was basically ground up corn?

Best to stay away from particular substrates especially something they may want to eat.
Natural stone tiles, reptile carpet, non adhesive shelf liner, paper towels an or newspaper are some good options.

Any idea on how old your dragon is?
 

Isis

Member
Original Poster
Going to take the sand out today, and put him on newspaper for the time being. I will use what I put my snake on, table protector. I think I have some at my boyfriends.

He doesn't seem to be eating much veg at all, but does eat crickets. Not sure how to entice him to eat more veg or fruit.
 

Isis

Member
Original Poster
I've ordered him some reptile carpet, and will get slate or tiles to go in there as well.
 

Pixall

Sub-Adult Member
Isis":1hg1pdsy said:
I've ordered him some reptile carpet, and will get slate or tiles to go in there as well.

:)

Isis":1hg1pdsy said:
He doesn't seem to be eating much veg at all, but does eat crickets. Not sure how to entice him to eat more veg or fruit.

This is fairly normal, just keep offering it. A few tricks I have picked up: wave it in his face, make it 'rain' salad, stick a waxworm or some other worm(not mealworm) in the salad dish so the salad moves, putting the salad near his basking spot, put diced strawberries on top of the salad, offer a LOT of variety, and try a babyfood (chicken, squash or mixed veg with no preservatives) salad dressing. :p

Also, just make sure he stays hydrated, as the salad offers a lot of moisture. Offer him as many crickets as he will eat in 10-15 mins 2 or 3 times a day and dust the crickets with calcium 5x a week and a multivitamin 2x a week for just one of the feedings (This is what I was told to do for a baby, so you may want to cut back a little, but I would ask Michael about that(beardednoob))

Make sure to give him a bath a few times a week(this will help keep him hydrated) warm water up to his shoulders with no soap or anything. :)
 

Isis

Member
Original Poster
Thank you for that, I THINK he is about a year old, I've tried him on a variety of veg and some fruit. I will give him a bath sometime over the next couple of days. He has fresh water in his viv (change every day) but haven't seen him drink from it yet.
I will get him some worms, and try and put them with the salad. He has eaten some grapes today, that I fed to him. But that seems all he has eaten. I've tried him on dandelion leaves (that I grow for my rabbits) he did eat them, but now doesn't seem to bother.
I've also tried him with peas, broccoli florets, broccoli leaves and parsley. But hasn't eaten any of it.

Is pepper okay for them to eat, as I bought some for him today, as I noticed a photo on here earlier with pepper (presuming it was pepper) in a food dish.

Thank you all for your help x
 

Pixall

Sub-Adult Member
I don't know about pepper. Like, peppercorns?

What you saw may have been bearded dragon pellets, too. ;)
 

Isis

Member
Original Poster
Pepper is red, but I did give him some curly kale and spring greens, and I think he has eaten some, and a good amount of crickets today.
 
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