New Scardie Beardie

[Zae]

Hello All!,

Wasn't sure where to post this but thought it might fall under Behavior, if not, please move this to the correct forum please!

So I just got my first bearded dragon. Her name is Faranth, about 5 months old.

This is our first day together. She is understandably nervous and scared!. She keeps hiding and poking her cute lil nose above the wood to look at me and what is going on. Her viv is a 40 gallon, front open/close doors, repti sun 10.0 uvb with the basking temp maxing out at 109 on top of the wood measured with a temp laser gun. I put in 2 small clean wash cloths that I slept with last night because I heard using something with your scent on it helps them get used to you. Is that correct?

I'm also wondering when would be a good time to try to start handling her? The breeder I got her from said she had a very nice demeanor and loved baths, in fact, she played in her baths.

When I do start handling her, how should I go about it? I don't want to scare her more than she already is!

Thanks everyone!

 

[KarrieRee]

She needs to acclimate to her tank and surroundings - I would only handle her in the tank for now - approach from the side not above - hand feed her as much as you can and give her time - BSFL are good worms to hand feed then use them as lures to her salad bowl - add them in front of her so it gets her attention DO NOT dust them --use as many as you want as they are a great staple feeder
www.symtonbsf.com the pic you posted did not show up
now last thing what is the 10.0 UVB a coil or a tube?

 

[Zae]

Right now I'm giving her gut loaded small dubias and superworms. She seems to be relaxing more as the day goes on. I'll go out and get some of the larvae later this weekend.

I'll try posting the picture of her again below:


The UVB is a tube and covers most of the enclosure from the inside, it does not sit on top of the mesh top. I also have a ceramic heat emitter to use during the winter if it gets too cold for her.

 

[KarrieRee]

She looks good -- the bulb for the 10.0 is a T 5 or a T 8 -- bulbs make a certain distance placement --

 

[Zae]

I believe the bulb is a T5.

She went from basking to zipping around her enclosure now lol

 

[KarrieRee]

Make sure I dont want to give you the wrong distance - for a T 5 inside the tank 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor ----- T 8 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor -- glad to hear shes energetic-- :lol:

 

[Zae]

I was wrong! I looked at the bulb, it says T8.

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok so the distance should be 6-8 inches from her decor piece and change the bulb out in 6 months from install I recommend 5

 

[Zae]

Ok thanks! I'll make a note on my calendar to change it. I got a few extra bulbs as well for things just in case.