Hi! I am so excited to join the bearded dragon community. I just adopted a 3 year old bearded dragon 3 days ago and I am IN LOVE! He wasn't living in an abusive situation before, but definitely was experiencing a lot of neglect and wasn't handled often or given a lot of attention. I was wondering if I could get some advice from some experienced beardie owners for how to give him the best life possible!
I have a heated rock, a basking rock with a hide underneath, a hammock, and a tree branch for him to climb on inside of the tank. I have 2 thermometers that measure opposite sides of the tank, a basking light, and the ReptiSun 10.0 UVB light. I also have calcium powder to dust his food, greens and vegetables for his tank, and super worms for him right now. I also have these orange pellets his previous owners fed him a lot, but im not sure how great they are for him. I've given him one bath and I have been feeding him live food in a separate container and planning on doing it 2/3 times a week. I am using the Zoo Med Repti Chips as a substrate because it was recommended by my vet(not the bark or sand, I know how dangerous those are - but I want him to still be able to dig and experience his natural habitats.) Is there anything else I need for the tank? He's had diarrhea for the past 3 days and I'm unsure if its because he's sick, the temperatures off, or he's just stressed in his new habitat :shock: :? He also keeps glass surfing, even though I have backgrounds on the 3 sides.
He seems alright when I hold him, sometimes he doesn't like to be held and just wants to climb around and explore. If I can, I take him out when he's glass surfing and he climbs around my house and explores. He does keep trying to climb the walls of my house though, which I'm kind of unsure about why. Is that normal? Or is he trying to escape? When he is tired he will let me hold him and not try and escape or climb on me. I really want to build a bonding relationship with him but im worried since he is already 3 it won't be possible. I just want to give this little boy the best life possible. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated on how to help him adjust to his new home and build a strong relationship with me. Thanks!!
I have a heated rock, a basking rock with a hide underneath, a hammock, and a tree branch for him to climb on inside of the tank. I have 2 thermometers that measure opposite sides of the tank, a basking light, and the ReptiSun 10.0 UVB light. I also have calcium powder to dust his food, greens and vegetables for his tank, and super worms for him right now. I also have these orange pellets his previous owners fed him a lot, but im not sure how great they are for him. I've given him one bath and I have been feeding him live food in a separate container and planning on doing it 2/3 times a week. I am using the Zoo Med Repti Chips as a substrate because it was recommended by my vet(not the bark or sand, I know how dangerous those are - but I want him to still be able to dig and experience his natural habitats.) Is there anything else I need for the tank? He's had diarrhea for the past 3 days and I'm unsure if its because he's sick, the temperatures off, or he's just stressed in his new habitat :shock: :? He also keeps glass surfing, even though I have backgrounds on the 3 sides.
He seems alright when I hold him, sometimes he doesn't like to be held and just wants to climb around and explore. If I can, I take him out when he's glass surfing and he climbs around my house and explores. He does keep trying to climb the walls of my house though, which I'm kind of unsure about why. Is that normal? Or is he trying to escape? When he is tired he will let me hold him and not try and escape or climb on me. I really want to build a bonding relationship with him but im worried since he is already 3 it won't be possible. I just want to give this little boy the best life possible. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated on how to help him adjust to his new home and build a strong relationship with me. Thanks!!