New beardie owner with concerns

[xp29]

Thank you for clarifying why no standing water! Kai doesnt poop in his water dish (yet) but the exotic specialist told me he doesnt keep a water dish in his tank and I had wondered why. It seemed so cruel...but now it makes perfect sense. Should I eyedropper Kai too instead of misting? Mist/eyedropper how often? I rinse his veggies and give him fresh greens daily. He is an adult...a year and 2 months.

Adults I offer water 1 to 2 times per week. I also feed hornworms, they are great for hydration. If he eats his vegs misting or rinsing them provides hydration also.
If Kia doesn't take to an eyedropper straight away you can use just a little fruit punch or fruit juice to flavor it. Try to find something without citrus.
Also if it run down the chin use a wet cloth to wipe it off. The sugars in the juice might could cause bacteria or fungus to start growing in the scales if not cleaned away.
Personally I don't mist. Adult dragons won't lick up enough water to stay hydrated that way. Also constant misting could cause mold in some materials. Another horrible myth is that soaking beardies hydrates them. That's just dead wrong, they have to have water orally to be hydrated. The only time they ever need a bath is if they are actually dirty. Even then I rinse mine under a faucet.
Oh my adult dragons usually will drink 1 to 2 droppers full at a time, babies about a half to 3/4 if a dropper.

 

[xp29]

Mooshu thanks you lol

I love that over the shoulder judgemental look beardies havecsuch personality

 

[AHBD]

Adults I offer water 1 to 2 times per week. I also feed hornworms, they are great for hydration. If he eats his vegs misting or rinsing them provides hydration also.
If Kia doesn't take to an eyedropper straight away you can use just a little fruit punch or fruit juice to flavor it. Try to find something without citrus.
Also if it run down the chin use a wet cloth to wipe it off. The sugars in the juice might could cause bacteria or fungus to start growing in the scales if not cleaned away.
Personally I don't mist. Adult dragons won't lick up enough water to stay hydrated that way. Also constant misting could cause mold in some materials. Another horrible myth is that soaking beardies hydrates them. That's just dead wrong, they have to have water orally to be hydrated. The only time they ever need a bath is if they are actually dirty. Even then I rinse mine under a faucet.
Oh my adult dragons usually will drink 1 to 2 droppers full at a time, babies about a half to 3/4 if a dropper.

There is a way to give them a drink from the spray bottle that hydrates them the same way an eyedropper or syringe does, you just have to lightly pull the trigger lever. You can see Youtube videos of this method with babies and adults. And sugar is really bad for them so plain water is generally the best. If a dragon is really dehydrated and not eating greens or drinking then just a few drops of real fruit juice mixed with water , not high fructose punch or anything. Misting is fine now + then as well, all my babies were misted when they were very small and would drink the droplets. But definitely not ebough to make the enclosure too damp.

 

[xp29]

There is a way to give them a drink from the spray bottle that hydrates them the same way an eyedropper or syringe does, you just have to lightly pull the trigger lever. You can see Youtube videos of this method with babies and adults. And sugar is really bad for them so plain water is generally the best. If a dragon is really dehydrated and not eating greens or drinking then just a few drops of real fruit juice mixed with water , not high fructose punch or anything. Misting is fine now + then as well, all my babies were misted when they were very small and would drink the droplets. But definitely not ebough to make the enclosure too damp.

I'm much to clumsy to use the spray bottle lol. I tried early on and failed miserably
I agree misting babies works just fine, but after they are larger it would be a slow process.
I was also in Fort Myers Florida when I got my first beardie. I had done tons of research but just like every newb I made tons of mistakes. I actually caused mold misting the habitat. (in my defense humidity there reaches 99% daily) between the mold and giving poor Puff (Christina insisted on the name) a shower every time I tried to give her water, I gave up on a spray bottle lol.

 

[Mushu1]

Mooshu licks a lot. The floor, rocks, etc. is that normal?

 

[KarrieRee]

Mooshu licks a lot. The floor, rocks, etc. is that normal?

Yes that is why we always recommend no loose substrates in the tank --

 

[xp29]

Yes that is why we always recommend no loose substrates in the tank --

Also why poops have to be cleaned asap. (To try to guard against Cocidia)

 

[Mushu1]

Now she’s gaping a lot lol

 

[Mushu1]

Also why poops have to be cleaned asap. (To try to guard against Cocidia)

She hasn’t pooped in two days

 

[xp29]

Now she’s gaping a lot lol

Gaping is a good thing and don't worry there'll be PLENTY of poop soon enough

 

[ChileanTaco]

Mooshu licks a lot. The floor, rocks, etc. is that normal?

Totally normal, especially when new in their environment, or when new things were added.
Also, when your dragon is older and you can touch and pet Mooshu, you can expect to see more licking behavior after you take your dragon out of the enclosure and back in.

 

[KarrieRee]

Now she’s gaping a lot lol

Boy does she have the stress marks going --- word of warning w/ the grass hammock they are notorious for causing nail and feet injuries -- if you want a hammock I would suggest a fleece or cloth one found on Etsy.com search bearded dragon

 

[Mushu1]

Boy does she have the stress marks going --- word of warning w/ the grass hammock they are notorious for causing nail and feet injuries -- if you want a hammock I would suggest a fleece or cloth one found on Etsy.com search bearded dragon

What stress marks? Is it the dark coloring under her? How do I lower her stress?

 

[xp29]

That is the stress marks yes.
They will go away as your beardie settles in. It's normal in the beginning.

 

[KarrieRee]

What stress marks? Is it the dark coloring under her? How do I lower her stress?

Her surface basking temps and uvb being on par will help get rid of those as it will help her acclimate faster to her tank and surroundings-