Hi guys, Ken and Erika here (we are sharing this account) with our first post. Our breaded dragon's name is Meat Head (named after Clint Eastwoods bull dog from the dirty harry series) and he is about 5 months old and a bottomless pit. He eats over 3 dozen crickets a day.
Here he is after a few months in his 20 gallon aquarium. He soon got to the point where he couldn't really turn around in it, and I felt horrible for him. The pet store people never really prepair you for how quick these guys grow or either that they do it on purpose so you buy a 20 gallon and then come back later and buy a whole new set up.
This is his 155 gallon bachelor pad. He's only been in it for 5 mins and he is scoping it out!
Since these photos were taken he has really started a growth spurt in his new home. He has almost doubled in size and I have a ton of photos!
So I'm reading around this site and I am reading all kinds of interesting things. A lot of things I didn't even realize I was doing wrong. When I got the dragon I bought a book called "The Bearded Dragon Manual by Jerry Cole" and a bunch of other people. So far I see he should not have a constant water supply, and should not be misted everyday. I also read that calci-sand is bad? Very interesting! I hope to learn a lot more from you guys on how to keep my little guy as happy as can be. He has been a great pet this far! Curious little bugger!
Is that play sand he is on? If he is on calci sand, please take it out right away as he can become impacted with it. ****edited to add**** I see you know about calci sand - dont know how I missed that the first time I read your post LOL sorry! I also, you may have read that the digital thermometers with a probe are better than the stick on ones - the stick on ones are way off on accuracy. Walmart has a really good one for about 11 dollars. It's super important to know what the temps are inside the viv... the basking area, and the cool side. The basking area (read the thermometer after at least 45 minutes of the probe sitting RIGHT on the basking spot) should be between 100-110, and the cool side should be between 78-82.
Im so glad you joined us! There are lots of very friendly and knowledgeable people here, so you've come to the right place!!!
Cant wait to get to know you, and see more pics of Meat Head! LOL
Yes thats claci sand, I'm very upset to find out its not good for my little guy when the stuff is 20 bucks a bag! Its the first thing on my to do list when the little guy wakes up!
Thanks so much Sandi! You'd think those buggers at the petstore would know what they are talking about. I feel so bad for not researching him more before I bought him.
Hello and welcome to you and Meathead(cute name) :lol:
Don't feel bad about not knowing something. When you buy an animal at a petstore you assume they know what they are talking about. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.
I just wanted to add to Sandi's post about the digital thermometer at Walmart. That thermometer is called AcuRite, it is a digital therm. with a wire and probe end. They have them in the section that sells the home thermometers(not the pet section), they are $12.99. It will give you the coolside temp, basking spot temp and humidity readings at the same time. Great thermometer and very accurate!
Enjoy your new guy...they are incredible creatures!
LOL, everyone seems to love the name. It even made the vet laugh.
Out of curiosity I read a lot about people having tile in their beardie's enclosures. What is the best type to purchase and best places to get it? Seems like it would be easier to clean than the reptile carpet.
If anyone has any ideas please let us know, curious mommy and daddy here wanting to do what they can to make their beardie happy.
Oh, and the first bath was a blast. She loved it. lol
Out of curiosity I read a lot about people having tile in their beardie's enclosures. What is the best type to purchase and best places to get it? Seems like it would be easier to clean than the reptile carpet.
The last tile I bought was slate tile from Orchard's Hardware Supplies it was under $20.00 for ten 12x12 tiles.
I priced the same tiles at Home Depot and it was over $27.00 for 5 tiles.
I also have quarry tile in a couple of my viv's that is the small 6x6 tiles. They are like the non slip tile in a restaurants dish-room. I couldn't tell how much they cost as those were extras after hubby finished a job so his boss said I could have them.
Ceramic tiles work good too...just make sure they are porous tiles not to smooth.