In january 2013 i rescued my first scaly pal, an american alligator, Prometheus who is about a 2 years old and 29 inches long snout to tip of tail now but was very badly taken care of and only 18 inches when i got him. The day after bringing him home i went to pick up everything needed to make him a nice little home, while at the Petco the wife wanted to see the Bearded Dragons and really wanted one. But being it was my main goal to get the gator set up and happy i told her it would have to wait.
About a month ago my sister in-law(brother's wife) had their child and made mention that she had a beardie and she hadnt been feed properly for about a month. Well the wife mentioned we had the means to take care of her and we took ownership of her. Sadly she hadnt had proper care in nearly two years. No UV bulb of any type only a red 75 watt heat bulb, No supplementation of calcium or vitamins, Being fed only lettuce, apples, and mealworms, and to top it off only living in a 10 gallon aquarium. So long story short she was not active or happy at all. Upon getting Lizzy, now her name, I immediately got her some crickets and some much healthier greens and did all the research i could do to help her and supplied all of her needs. Now she is doing much better, a lot more active, much more color and seems very happy in her temporary 30 gallon tank. Her custom 50 gallon tank will be done in a few weeks and then she will be set for life.
Finally today my sister in-law comes home with a baby beardie, 6 inches snout to tip of tail, she picked the little guy up from Petsmart because he was cute and wanted to give Lizzy a companion. So now i have the baby that I had to setup in the 10 gallon tank because I know Lizzy, 16 inches snout to tip of tail, would kill the poor little guy. He is shedding and overall looks healthy but i have seen all of the big chain store horror stories so i have my doubts.
Now as far as taking care of the little guy what will i need to do different? I have ready as many care sheets as I could but none seem to be as informative as i would like. I did pick him up some small crickets as my breeding batch havent turned out babies yet for him to eat. Can he have all the same greens and veggies as my normal beardie? What about heat range? I have read anywhere from 80 to 120 degrees on the hot end of the tank. I keep Lizzy at 100 give or take on the hot side during the day and she drops down to room temp at night which is roughly 70-80 degrees.
Any tips or anything is greatly appreciated.
About a month ago my sister in-law(brother's wife) had their child and made mention that she had a beardie and she hadnt been feed properly for about a month. Well the wife mentioned we had the means to take care of her and we took ownership of her. Sadly she hadnt had proper care in nearly two years. No UV bulb of any type only a red 75 watt heat bulb, No supplementation of calcium or vitamins, Being fed only lettuce, apples, and mealworms, and to top it off only living in a 10 gallon aquarium. So long story short she was not active or happy at all. Upon getting Lizzy, now her name, I immediately got her some crickets and some much healthier greens and did all the research i could do to help her and supplied all of her needs. Now she is doing much better, a lot more active, much more color and seems very happy in her temporary 30 gallon tank. Her custom 50 gallon tank will be done in a few weeks and then she will be set for life.
Finally today my sister in-law comes home with a baby beardie, 6 inches snout to tip of tail, she picked the little guy up from Petsmart because he was cute and wanted to give Lizzy a companion. So now i have the baby that I had to setup in the 10 gallon tank because I know Lizzy, 16 inches snout to tip of tail, would kill the poor little guy. He is shedding and overall looks healthy but i have seen all of the big chain store horror stories so i have my doubts.
Now as far as taking care of the little guy what will i need to do different? I have ready as many care sheets as I could but none seem to be as informative as i would like. I did pick him up some small crickets as my breeding batch havent turned out babies yet for him to eat. Can he have all the same greens and veggies as my normal beardie? What about heat range? I have read anywhere from 80 to 120 degrees on the hot end of the tank. I keep Lizzy at 100 give or take on the hot side during the day and she drops down to room temp at night which is roughly 70-80 degrees.
Any tips or anything is greatly appreciated.