Hello Beardie families. I'm new to this entire process and am looking for some comfort that I'm doing things right. I piggybacked on another thread of similar concerns not realizing that could cause confusion, etc. I'll take what advice I've learned from that conversations last night to avoid repeating myself. However a little back story so that you all know some details.
First of all I'll start off with a quick intro. My husband and I have two boys 11 (12 on the Jan 22nd) & almost 10 yr old along with 2 huskies. This is our first go at a lizard and quite frankly I had NO idea how involved and detailed this process is. My oldest since 5 has been begging for a snake or a lizard. It's been a hard NO. Not because I don't like reptiles, I love and respect them. They are beautiful! I wanted to be sure my son was old enough to be responsible enough to care take a living thing.
Given my oldest is turning 12 Jan 22nd my husband and I decided we would entertain the idea of a lizard. We do not have any Reptile store or vets in our area of TX. Pet-smart was where we purchased our Fancy Bearded Dragon Mushu. I haven't heard anything positive regarding Pet-smarts reptile care in my research after the purchase of Mushu. The employee suggested we get a 10 gal tank reptile desert kit. Which we did. I'll enclose a picture of the set below along with some pictures of Mushu. I have a heap load of questions of which I've tried to research on my own before starting this thread.
Ok, so down to business!! Here is what I have so far and believe I understand regarding our Fancy Mushu.
From the numerous Youtube videos, online website and threads the following seems to be across the board. I have received some inconsistency with some of the following. I know there is a lot of experience breeders and owners here and would appreciate your tips and dos/don'ts.
1. No live prey larger than the space between the eyes.
2. After the 10/15 minute feeding process allow 2 hours of basking for proper digestion.
3. Also after feeding remove any live prey from the viv.
4. Calcium powder 5x out of the week and a vitamin supplement the other 2 days
5. As a young beardie they need 80% protein and 20% greens, reverse % as an adult. 20/80
6. At least a bath once a week in luke warm water.
7. Spray bottle to lightly wet their body, but not to do this in their viv to avoid high humidity
8. Must have UVB light & it to be direct with 6 -12" from beardie w/no screen or glass interference.
9. UVA bulb for basking, young-ins need 12-14 hours of basking & a temp of 95-105 degrees
10. Cool side of viv should be around 80 degrees.
11. Night temperatures not to get below 65 degrees.
12. Small fleece squares or t-shirt etc is ok to leave in the viv for comfort & scent
I believe Mushu is a female, solely because she was enclosed with two other beardies at Petsmart. It's my understanding that males are not to be put together because they are territorial and will most likely kill one another. In a previous thread I stated she was about 4" long so I was concerned she was only about 3wks to a month old. However a helpful threader said she's more like 6" long and mostly likely closer to 1.5, 2 months old. I was happy to hear that she was older than I thought. Her appetite as of yesterday has improved. She is eating WAY more crickets than initially. We purchased her Saturday the 12th around 4pm. So she hasn't been with us for long. I feel as though she is warming up nicely to us however. Just last night for the first time started pacing her glass wall. I've read this is a possible sign of "I want out!" or "I'm hungry." We offered her some crickets and she ate 6. Prior to this she cuddled up on my lap with a fleece blanket for about an hour. She slept which I've read is a good sign, means she is comfortable and trusting.
I apologize for how lengthy this is, it wasn't my intention to write a book. My family has fallen in love with this little girl and I'm trying so hard to make sure we do right by her. PLEASE if anything I've written here seems off or if there is something more or better we can do I'd love the feedback. We will be upgrading her tank to a 40 gal in a couple months and will be purchasing tile for the base as well. Another tip a threader last night gave me. Thank you by the way for all your advice.
First of all I'll start off with a quick intro. My husband and I have two boys 11 (12 on the Jan 22nd) & almost 10 yr old along with 2 huskies. This is our first go at a lizard and quite frankly I had NO idea how involved and detailed this process is. My oldest since 5 has been begging for a snake or a lizard. It's been a hard NO. Not because I don't like reptiles, I love and respect them. They are beautiful! I wanted to be sure my son was old enough to be responsible enough to care take a living thing.
Given my oldest is turning 12 Jan 22nd my husband and I decided we would entertain the idea of a lizard. We do not have any Reptile store or vets in our area of TX. Pet-smart was where we purchased our Fancy Bearded Dragon Mushu. I haven't heard anything positive regarding Pet-smarts reptile care in my research after the purchase of Mushu. The employee suggested we get a 10 gal tank reptile desert kit. Which we did. I'll enclose a picture of the set below along with some pictures of Mushu. I have a heap load of questions of which I've tried to research on my own before starting this thread.
Ok, so down to business!! Here is what I have so far and believe I understand regarding our Fancy Mushu.
From the numerous Youtube videos, online website and threads the following seems to be across the board. I have received some inconsistency with some of the following. I know there is a lot of experience breeders and owners here and would appreciate your tips and dos/don'ts.
1. No live prey larger than the space between the eyes.
2. After the 10/15 minute feeding process allow 2 hours of basking for proper digestion.
3. Also after feeding remove any live prey from the viv.
4. Calcium powder 5x out of the week and a vitamin supplement the other 2 days
5. As a young beardie they need 80% protein and 20% greens, reverse % as an adult. 20/80
6. At least a bath once a week in luke warm water.
7. Spray bottle to lightly wet their body, but not to do this in their viv to avoid high humidity
8. Must have UVB light & it to be direct with 6 -12" from beardie w/no screen or glass interference.
9. UVA bulb for basking, young-ins need 12-14 hours of basking & a temp of 95-105 degrees
10. Cool side of viv should be around 80 degrees.
11. Night temperatures not to get below 65 degrees.
12. Small fleece squares or t-shirt etc is ok to leave in the viv for comfort & scent
I believe Mushu is a female, solely because she was enclosed with two other beardies at Petsmart. It's my understanding that males are not to be put together because they are territorial and will most likely kill one another. In a previous thread I stated she was about 4" long so I was concerned she was only about 3wks to a month old. However a helpful threader said she's more like 6" long and mostly likely closer to 1.5, 2 months old. I was happy to hear that she was older than I thought. Her appetite as of yesterday has improved. She is eating WAY more crickets than initially. We purchased her Saturday the 12th around 4pm. So she hasn't been with us for long. I feel as though she is warming up nicely to us however. Just last night for the first time started pacing her glass wall. I've read this is a possible sign of "I want out!" or "I'm hungry." We offered her some crickets and she ate 6. Prior to this she cuddled up on my lap with a fleece blanket for about an hour. She slept which I've read is a good sign, means she is comfortable and trusting.
I apologize for how lengthy this is, it wasn't my intention to write a book. My family has fallen in love with this little girl and I'm trying so hard to make sure we do right by her. PLEASE if anything I've written here seems off or if there is something more or better we can do I'd love the feedback. We will be upgrading her tank to a 40 gal in a couple months and will be purchasing tile for the base as well. Another tip a threader last night gave me. Thank you by the way for all your advice.