Is it a good idea

[dalvarez42087]

I am wanting to get a beardie but I work from 4pm to about 2 am...would it be a good or bad idea to get one?..if I get one what would be a good time for lights on and lights off? And what feeding time would you recommend?

 

[dalvarez42087]

If I did like lights on at 6am feed at 730 am 1130am and 330 pm and lights off at 6-630 pm..would that be ok?

 

[CooperDragon]

That's similar to the schedule I have my guy on. I spend time with him in the mornings before I go to work. You can automate the lights using an outlet timer or a programmable dimming thermostat. Once they're past the juvenile stage you can cut back two just a couple of feedings per day then once per day so it is easier with an older dragon. They don't need nearly as much food.

 

[kingofnobbys]

I concur with Cooper , is definitely do-able , the beardie will learn your schedule and become very accustomed to the lighting / feeding schedule you will have (even a little young hatchling).

There is no reason why you can't have a pet beardie with your work hours so long as you are able provide proper heating, housing, UV and white light lighting, food and fed schedule and d/n schedule.

I know of several keepers who work have very early starts (having to leave to commute by train at 5am) , or who are working 12 hour days , and even rotating roster (Day, afternoon and dogwatch shifts) who all successfully raise , keep and even breed bearded dragons). They set up their lizards' feeding and lighting schedules to work around their work hours. Not all of them have children or partners or housemates who can take over if it's impossible to be home to feed the lizard/s.

I am retired so my schedule is more set up for my convenience and grown into a habit over several years. I still set up the d/n schedule for an early wakeup for the pet lizards (in my case beardies and bluetongue skinks and until recently there was an eastern water skink too). ie my lighting schedule is lights on 6am , off 9pm (15hr day ==> similar to summer daylight hours in tropical central Australia - I know this from personal experience as I lived and worked for while in Hedland WA and there were CBDs about and these were the daylight hours we experienced (Oct-Apr)) , and have 4x4 adventure toured in central Australia (in the cooler dry season - were still CBDs out and about in May and August (when we were exploring /touring/camping/siteseeing).

I suggest if you get a young hatchling at least two live insect feeds per day (three are better if manageable) and allowing it at least 2hrs to warm up and bask get hungry before feed No.1, and at least 2hrs to bask after it's last feed of the day and lights/heat off. Lights on a household light timer (plug in style can be electron 7 day programmable (I use one of these) or a mechanic 24hr hour timer.
A younger dragon is the way to go IMO , as it will adapt quicker to you and your schedule. But be warned , a pet dragon is not a cheap pet to set up for, feed properly, and care for , and a younger beardie will require a lot of work to properly care for and will take a bit of time each day - is well worth it though.

ROUTINE is EVERYTHING for a pet lizard.