New Parents of a Beardie!

[CamoANDfriends]

Hi everyone,
We have just recently fell in love with a bearded dragon and purchased him. We have become a member of this website to hopefully help us fully understand how to take care of him/her properly. Are there any secrets or tricks we should be aware of? He is 6 inches long tip to tip. So we are guessing around six weeks. One question i do have is when we turn the daytime lights off and turn on the night light, what is the correct temperature for while he/she is sleeping. Also are there any tricks to figure out the sex? Is there a name for his color... sorry for so many questions! lol We have a lot to learn. Thanks in advance from Camo and friends!

 

[thebenior]

Welcome!

You just want night time temperatures above 65F.

As for day/night cycle trigger times, I'd set them at what's convenient for you with a few things in mind. 12-14 hours of light (more for babies, IIRC), and if there's a lot of light coming in through windows early in the morning, there's no sense not delaying the day lamps since the dragon will be waking up anyway. My place doesn't have much sun exposure and I have wood blinds that block out light pretty well, so I don't have that issue.

I also recommend setting the lights with a timer power strip for convenience and consistency. There's no need for a reptile specific timer, a regular timer power strip from a hardware store will work just as well. I have a Zilla dual analog timer power strip for my bearded dragon and a GE digital timer power strip that I got from Home Depot for a red eared slider. The Zilla timer cost 50% more, but is more intuitive to set. I think the GE digital timer keeps better time, however.

 

[CamoANDfriends]

Thank you very much for your reply! We ordered a digital thermo/humidity gauge and a digital timer yesterday.

 

[tgolden]

Welcome! Blood bank dragons has a good video on sexing dragons on you tube however, its hard to be for sure with little ones.

 

[CamoANDfriends]

Thanks for the tip Tgolden!

 

[Livey]

Hello and welcome you sure have a cutie there!

 

[CamoANDfriends]

Hi thank you! We have found out that he is a gamer as well

 

[dylanravenj]

Awhhh he is precious!

 

[CamoANDfriends]

Thank you. He is our first pet that isnt a great dane. lol we have three euro great danes now and camo!!

 

[dylanravenj]

I'd love to see some pics of the danes! They're one of my favorite dog breeds

 

[CamoANDfriends]

From left to right is Harliquin Female "Star", Black Male "Major", Harliquin Female "Storm" They are the prides of my life!!!

 

[dylanravenj]

They are gorgeous!!! I love that you left their ears uncropped

 

[CamoANDfriends]

i really have nothing against those that do. We just don't see the need in it. They are wonderful creatures and so smart! Whether the ears are up or down doesn't change a thing except how they look.