New Owner, Many Questions!

[CaramelBeet]

Hey all, I'm picking up my very first beardie on Sunday, and I want to be super prepared! I've been doing lots of research, but I was wondering if anyone could help clarify some things for me?

Firstly the tank size; this guy is coming with an enclosure that's 1000*600*600 (millimeters). That's big enough for him now (he's quite small at the moment) but, I was wondering if this will be big enough when he's fully grown, I've read that they should be about 4ft for fully grown dragons, so this is about 20cm under, but wider than a normal tank I think... Will this be ok? I want him to be as comfortable as possible.
The enclose comes with a UV light and heat spotlight... Are these the only lights/heat I need?
Also, I've read that enclosures should be fairly basic with minimal decoration for young beardies. Is this correct? What will it actually need in it?

The owner has told me to pick up some small crickets. Will these be enough nutrition for him, or do I need to get some other insects too? The beardie is only 1 month old (I know, he's pretty young... Part of the reason I want to be super prepared), at the moment he's eating crickets, a little bit of salad and ‘Exo Terra’ Bearded Dragon juvenile soft pellets (?). Is this a suitable diet for now? Will it need to change/when? I'm going to pick up some Calcium/D3 powder and multivitamin powder when I go to the pet place for crickets. AM I correct in thinking that food is dusted with calcium every other day, and the multivitamin two days every week or so?

Another feeding question... From my understanding, you let them eat as many insects as they can in a 10-15 minute period, 2-3 times a day (for little ones), and then remove the other questions. Let me ask, how does one remove crickets from a tank? Do I have to chase them individually?? :lol: Especially the really small ones for a little dragon.
Another thing, with the feeding two times a day... I leave for school at about 8, and don't get home till 4:30ish. Will he be ok if there is a big gap in his feeding (I could possibly leave him with some salad or something? Would it be ok if he got fed, say, at 7:30, then again at 4:30, then again later in the evening?

Also, how long should his lights be on for? Should they match the actual sun?
Will it bother him if I get up before the sun? I can leave my light off (he's going to be in my room), but I might a little bit of noise. And in the evening, if I'm up after the sun (likely with shorter days), will I have to leave my light off after his lights are off? Or is there something else that people do (like somehow covering the tank without hurting ventilation)?

Are they bothered by noise? I sometimes play music in my room, not loudly, but still. I can stop if it might bother him.

How often should I bathe him? How precise does the water temperature need to be?

How often should I handle him? Read somewhere that young ones shouldn't be handled often. Is this true?

How do you measure humidity in a tank?

What should the fecal matter from a 1-month-old look like? How often should it be? How long should I wait in between before becoming concerned or taking a trip to the vet?

It's a bit of a journey between his owner's place and mine, about 2 hours. How do I transport him? How can I keep him warm enough/not stress him out? Some other places suggest holding them for the journey, but I can't say I want to hold a tiny dragon for a 2-hour car ride... I think I'd be stressed about him escaping or getting hurt!

Also, when he gets here, how can I help him adjust to the new place? It will be the same tank, but different surroundings.

Another thing (but not very important haha), do beardies show colour more as they start to grow? The parents are both red (or so I'm told) but the picture I was sent of the baby looks like normal earthy browns mixed with tans (not that I mind; he's gorgeous either way!!). The owner said they tend to colour as they get older; is this true?

Question dump over for now... Thanks everyone! If you guys have any other tips/ advice, I'd love to hear!

 

[kornel351]

Make sure the UV light is either a t5 or t8 bulb .You might need a Ceramic heat emitter if your room temperature goes below 65 degrees .Small crickets alone is not enough nutrition get black solider fly larvae and even small baby dubia roaches they all need to be gutloaded with food vitamins what u put in them is what u put in your beardie .A rule of thumb would be to dust calcium 3 days a week and multivitamins 2 days a week.Remove all crickets after 10 minutes.U don't have to feed your dragon in its tank which would make it easier for u to remove any uneaten crickets .The lights should be on for about 7-10 hours .Use a humidity gauge to measure humidity .Beardies lose color as they get older

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, the other insects mentioned by kornel will be a great addition to his diet but many babies are raised on crickets and grow to be very large + healthy. If he eats some greens, that's great. Most pellet food is not very nutritious but can be used in small amounts. That can give any loose crickets something to nibble on.

Lights should be on 14 hours a day, a bit more or less won't make much difference. I raised many clutches from the egg and they grew strong + healthy that way. Offer hydration by spraying the dragon lightly in the tank [ not soaking it ] they will drink the droplets. No baths are necessary unless he gets dirty, but if the previous owner soaked him + the baby enjoyed it then a few times a week will be fine in lukewarm water for 5-10 minutes. Then you must pat him dry quickly + put him back in the tank right away with the heat.

No late evening large feedings, they need at least 2 hours, 3 is better, to digest their food before lights go out.