I bring you Solo

[GokaiBrown]

Hi everyone, I've been browsing this site for a while. Got my beardie Han about a month ago. I got one from a breeder at a reptile show before him but she must have had a parasite or something and didn't make it long :-(. Everything is going great with him though, well, for the most part. He freaks out every time I try to hold him which has been a little upsetting for me. I try to hold him as much as I can to get him used to me, but most of the time he freaks out so much that I stop because I don't want him to hurt himself. Any suggestions? I've tried leaving a shirt in his cage for a few days but he still freaks out every time. I have a Reptisun T5 hood with a Reptisun 5.0 UVB (I know they need a 10.0 but I was told that the 5.0 would be okay as long as it's on the outside and it came with the 5.0 for free. When I need to replace it I will get a 10.0 but I'm a little afraid that it will be too close to his hammock if I mount it inside. He poops normally as far as I can tell, there is a wet spot around it usually though so I don't know if that's normal).

Anyways, enough with all that, without further ado, Han and his enclosure.

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. What a cutie . You need to get a better uvb as that does not put off the proper amount of uvb. You can get the high out put reptisun 10.0 and keep that on top of the screen. The screen right now is blocking the uvb rays from the 5.0 as thos are not very srong uvb rays.

 

[GokaiBrown]

Hi. What a cutie . You need to get a better uvb as that does not put off the proper amount of uvb. You can get the high out put reptisun 10.0 and keep that on top of the screen. The screen right now is blocking the uvb rays from the 5.0 as thos are not very srong uvb rays.

Okay cool. I will get him a 10.0 then. Like I said, I was told that the 5.0 was more powerful and was okay to use through the screen. Glad I checked I have learned a lot in the little amount of time I've had him. Definitely never buying anything sold as a kit for any more of my creatures that's for sure. So much stuff I can't use and I could have saved more by buying it all separate and had higher quality stuff. Oh well, live and learn.

 

[destiny1998]

Yep. Those pet stores sure know how to put more money into their pockets. I had the same thing happen with those "kits".

 

[Taterbug]

If it is a T5 the 5.0 that you have is ok, but a 10.0 would be much better - setup you have now is comparable to the more common T8 10.0 bulbs. If you can swing it now, I'd go ahead and get the 10.0. Do not mount the 10.0 closer than 10-12" away with the screen, 12-14" without. You can build a stand for it out of PVC pipe if you need more height.

Solo is adorable and his home looks nice too! He's really little, so personally I'd suggest handling him for short periods (or just interacting with him in his cage to start) and if he doesn't like it let him be so he can get comfortable with you. It's scary being a baby lizard and you look very threatening still, I'm sure.

 

[GokaiBrown]

Quick update. I ordered the Reptisun 10.0 bulb from Petco just now. They had it on sale and it saved me about five bucks. It should be here Friday.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Next on the list is starting a dubia colony and getting him a bigger encloser. Also, bonus pic of him enjoying his breakfast this morning.