Newbie here, got my first baby and concerns

[Tassadar]

Hi all! This is my first post and I had a few concerns.

First off, I just got my baby a few days ago and she has eaten very little live food and no greens, and has gone to the bathroom twice (supposed to be a good sign).

She must be less than a month old as she is only 5 1/2 inches, isn't she supposed to eat A LOT?

Also lighting, I have the basking heat lamp and the brighter light. She only hangs out on one side of the cage, but ventures off sometimes, but stays under the heat lamp all day and hangs out. She gets moved to a seperate enclosure to eat and always wants back into the bigger tank ( I do this because the crickets are SO small and will literally never get eaten by her and will do damage to her if left in there for too long), when I try to move her or when ANY motion comes around she gets realllllll aggressive and has even bit me a few times.


Is this all normal behavior? She got shipped so it could be relocation stress but the breeder said it could take a while for her to get used to me and the fact that she has gone to the bathroom and has eaten at all is a great sign.

Concerned newbie, help is wonderful. Also are there any tricks to get her used to me? I work 10 hour days and have someone attempt to feed her during the day while I am gone. I just want her to love me like I already love her.

Thanks everyone!


Edit: Also, lighting has been a concern, I know the tank is hot and the basking spot temp. is correct but should I have both light fixed INSIDE the tank or ontop of the wire? It's a 40gallon tank, I will try to upload pictures when I get off work. I have seen these setups two different ways.

 

[htidavid]

The fact that she is eating anything at all is good. You gotta give a little bit of time for them to settle in and try not to handle her as much until you notice the stress marks have gone away [ the black lines on her belly ]. Be slow with her. Maybe even try to hand feed some crickets from your hand. You can also place a tshirt you wore all day in her tank that night so she can get used to your scent.

What kind of lighting do you have exactly for UVB?

 

[Tassadar]

Exo Terra Repti Glo 10.0. ---26W


Should I switch that out for another? Petsmart suggested that one and a 100w Zoo Med UV light, and I swap one out for the red night heat one.

 

[zandi202]

ReptiSun 10.0 UVB is one of the best. Also, try hanging the UVB in te cage because if the UVB is on the screen, about 50% of the UVB actuallygoes through

 

[Tassadar]

Hmm okay, I will try this when I get home and probably go buy the reptisun/take some things back tonight.

 

[Tassadar]

How many lights SHOULD a 40 gallon have? If you could make a complete list of specific types that are what I need to pick up please do. The setup I have now has the two I described.

 

[ohmybandit]

Congrats on your new baby! Make sure you're using the tubes and not the coils/compacts for the UVB lights. Also, how are you checking your temps?

You only need 2 lights. UVB to be about 1/3 to half the tank length. And a heat light. I use a 100w Exoterra intense light and it keeps my tank at perfect temps.

 

[Tassadar]

Digital therms. from Home Depot, three sets of 2 for each part of the tank (left side, middle, right side).


As of right now it's just the heat "basking lamp" and I think the other one is a coil, can you be more specific? Hard to think someone working for petsmart would give me the wrong kind.

Should I replace the coil one with the repti sun lamp one?

 

[ohmybandit]

That's the type of UVB you should use. The little ones in the dome light fixtures are bad and can hurt their eyes. You can buy a light fixture at Walmart for $10 and 3m command hooks. I bought the black light light fixture and switched out the bulbs. You can see the white command hooks in the picture.

Petsmart convinced me to buy the starter kit so I know they give bad advice. Within 2 weeks I returned everything and switched to all proper lights. UVB has to be changed every 6 months. That's awesome that you have 3 digital therms lol

 

[Tassadar]

Is there a specific name for that UVB or just a UVB something something lol. Trying to be as specific as I can be. I will still need the heat lamp correct? and the one I have is 100w, but as someone said, is that providing enough heat through the top of the lid? It's meshwiring I think.

 

[ohmybandit]

The reptisun 10.0 or the Arcadia 12% which is a little harder to get a hold of but petmountain.com has the reptisun for cheaper than petsmart. The UVB should be mounted inside but the heat lamp can stay on top of the screen

 

[ohmybandit]

As long as you have the proper temps (100-115ish area) the heat can stay on top. I've never had an issue with the temps and I need the screen top cover or bandit would definitely escape lol

 

[Tassadar]

Sounds good! Thanks! Now if only petsmart would refund me instead of store credit >

Is the 100w heat one I have not good enough? The temps seem to be correct, very close to 100degrees. She REALLY likes to get up under that heat lamp though. lol.

 

[Tassadar]

Also what watt is that UVB tube?

 

[ohmybandit]

For small dragons it should be a little close to 105-110 I believe. And to be honest I have no idea on the wattage I just bought them without really paying attention
lol
If you throw a big enough stink at petsmart, they HAVE to return it. I've been able to return the used 20g tank food for full price if you tell them you want to buy other things they'll return it.