I'm new, first dragon

[mdt248]

I just got my first dragon. It is very small but very active and what an appetite! My seven year old daughter loves it. We don't know what sex it is as it's too young. Any inside help on raising it would be great.
My name is Mike and I'm 49. My daughters name is Katrina. We have a 55 gallon tank with uvb lighting and switch to infrared at night. I also have 2 under tank heating pads otherwise the tank is bare. Any ideas on landscaping it to make it more comfortable?
Thanks

 

[zebedeepink]

Hi Mike and welcome You really don't need the infrared at night unless your household temps drop below 60. Also, heatmats (if you need to use them) need to be on the side of the tank as beardies can burn themselves on them. You could put a couple of nice logs or rocks in for your beardie to bask on and climb and a fake plant or 2

 

[tinysmum]

There is a really cool site where they show you how to make castles and mayan temples and then just plain climbing walls out of styrofoam. If you are handy or even a little creative it looks really neat. I havent had the big cage long enough to do it but cchristmas is coming and i'm sure the kids will get SOMETHING with styrofaom in it and I'll steal it to try the ideas the site is lizard-lanscapes.com its really neat especially the cricket sacrifice. LOL

 

[Grommet]

Welcome Mike and Katrina!!!! You've come to the right place for tank ideas..... it seems like there are quite a few beardie owners here who could have second jobs as vivarium interior designers And, fortunately for us, they post pics!! Keep us updated on what you all put together..... the options are endless. ENJOY!!!!!
Kailin

 

[mdt248]

Thanks to all. I went to the web site Lizard-Landscapes and was blown away. My daughter and I are going shopping and we are going to try a few ideas.
Thanks again!
Mike

 

[fresnowitte]

:wave: Hello Mike & Katrina~Welcome to BD.org!
And..............
Congratulations on the New Baby!
Look forward to seeing some pic's of your new little one. :wink:

Again Welcome Aboard Fellow Fresnonians. :lol:

PS
Here are a couple of links that I've found helpful.
First a link to some nutritional information;
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html
This link gives you some nutritional values to live feeders;
http://www.feedersinc.com/insect-comparison/

In our area of the United States this is a good place to order feeders from;
http://www.mulberryfarms.com/horn2.htm

 

[clamentfamily]

Our beardie really enjoys his hammock. We purchased one at a pet store, but there is a cool DIY to make one out of plastic canvas somewhere on the site... I'll see if I can find it and post the link. Welcome aboard!

found it... hope this works...
viewtopic.php?f=75&t=90491

 

[mdt248]

Thanks for the link's Barbara. Really great prices on feeders. Beats the heck out of Petsmart. Nice hammock Christine. Just shows what a person can do when they set their mind to it. We still have to name the little guy, we're about 90% sure its a he. As all of you have advised I have taken out the heating pads.
Thanks to all
Mike, Lisa, Katrina, Chel's and ???

 

[fresnowitte]

:wave: Mike & Lisa here's a link to one place that sells the infrared temp gun.
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/thermometers-thermostats-and-timers/
But many have found them for cheaper on ebay or just google infrared temp gun and many other options will come up. Some Radio Shacks carry them too. Cheaper than our local HVAC-r parts houses :wink: ... an our local pet stores don't even carry them. They push the dial or tape strip types which I have personally found to be up to 20* off in readings.

LLLreptiles also carries the CHE (ceramic heat emitters). They are cheaper than at our local pet stores. http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/heat-bulbs-night-heat-bulbs-ceramic-bulbs/