MadEpiphany
Member
Hello,
I am a first-time bearded dragon owner (uh, I guess slave is the correct lingo for reasons becoming quickly apparent). While I have wanted a bearded dragon since I was 14 (10 years ago) and done extensive research, I thought it would be a good idea to join a community that can help sort out some of my lingering questions about my odd little lizard. This community really seems like a great place full of knowledgeable breeders and owners, and I am pleased to be joining!
Now, let me introduce Sirrush, my brandy new hatchling! My B.D. seems to be 3-4 weeks old based on growth charts I've seen, although I have to admit he came from petsmart, so his origins are somewhat obscured. He is apx. 6.5 inches long. I have had him for a week, and he seems to be a healthy, inquisitive, hungry little guy. He has done some minor shedding, and eats between 6 and 10 crickets a day as well as small pieces of kale and banana, which he seems to enjoy. I haven't seen any worrying behavior as to illness, although, since he is my first, it is hard to know what is normal. He does a lot of sunning himself in his spot lamp, sometimes hanging out there for 2-3 hrs at a time. That's normal, right? at other times he climbs, does aggressive dances at the cricket-keeper which he can see, explores his area, and will climb my arm if picked up.
I also own a pit-bull/mastiff who is very good-natured, extremely non-aggressive, but kind of hyper. Does anyone else have a dog and a b.d.? If so, how did you introduce them to each other, and at what age? For now, Brutus (the pit-bull) is allowed to watch Sirrush, but not to be in the same room if Sirrush is out of the enclosure as I don't want Sirrush to feel threatened. When Sirrush is older, I would love it if he and Brutus could be friends. Is that a pipe dream?
I also read elsewhere on this forum that b.d.s can change their belly color when they feel stressed, or to absorb more heat. Is this true? If so (first off it is awesome), what other color changes should I be looking for? I'm having kind of a hard time reading Sirrush's emotions. He seems happy enough, but I just want to make sure I'm not torturing the guy.
One more question. I bought the little dude a bunch of accessories, including a hammock, a cave, and a soap-stone rock that stays nicely warm even when we switch to night-time lights. Even so, he only sleeps sitting on the top of his fake cactus, which looks terribly uncomfortable. I mean, it really is a strange contorted position. Is this normal? I'm worried maybe an errant cricket left-over from some feeding terrorizes him up there or something. Should I worry?
Please let me know if you need more info.
I am a first-time bearded dragon owner (uh, I guess slave is the correct lingo for reasons becoming quickly apparent). While I have wanted a bearded dragon since I was 14 (10 years ago) and done extensive research, I thought it would be a good idea to join a community that can help sort out some of my lingering questions about my odd little lizard. This community really seems like a great place full of knowledgeable breeders and owners, and I am pleased to be joining!
Now, let me introduce Sirrush, my brandy new hatchling! My B.D. seems to be 3-4 weeks old based on growth charts I've seen, although I have to admit he came from petsmart, so his origins are somewhat obscured. He is apx. 6.5 inches long. I have had him for a week, and he seems to be a healthy, inquisitive, hungry little guy. He has done some minor shedding, and eats between 6 and 10 crickets a day as well as small pieces of kale and banana, which he seems to enjoy. I haven't seen any worrying behavior as to illness, although, since he is my first, it is hard to know what is normal. He does a lot of sunning himself in his spot lamp, sometimes hanging out there for 2-3 hrs at a time. That's normal, right? at other times he climbs, does aggressive dances at the cricket-keeper which he can see, explores his area, and will climb my arm if picked up.
I also own a pit-bull/mastiff who is very good-natured, extremely non-aggressive, but kind of hyper. Does anyone else have a dog and a b.d.? If so, how did you introduce them to each other, and at what age? For now, Brutus (the pit-bull) is allowed to watch Sirrush, but not to be in the same room if Sirrush is out of the enclosure as I don't want Sirrush to feel threatened. When Sirrush is older, I would love it if he and Brutus could be friends. Is that a pipe dream?
I also read elsewhere on this forum that b.d.s can change their belly color when they feel stressed, or to absorb more heat. Is this true? If so (first off it is awesome), what other color changes should I be looking for? I'm having kind of a hard time reading Sirrush's emotions. He seems happy enough, but I just want to make sure I'm not torturing the guy.
One more question. I bought the little dude a bunch of accessories, including a hammock, a cave, and a soap-stone rock that stays nicely warm even when we switch to night-time lights. Even so, he only sleeps sitting on the top of his fake cactus, which looks terribly uncomfortable. I mean, it really is a strange contorted position. Is this normal? I'm worried maybe an errant cricket left-over from some feeding terrorizes him up there or something. Should I worry?
Please let me know if you need more info.
