Newbie Questions

[Kaalin]

Hey!!! I'm Lorna - I posted an introduction a week or so back and I am hoping to get my first baby beardie once I come back from my holiday in September! I have my monies put away in my bank all sitting ready for the best of everything I have a few questions and I would be extremely grateful if someone had the time to answer them, thanks!

• I keep hearing about normal/translucent/hypo/het and other words of the likes... is there somewhere I can go that will give definitions for these? I have seen some and managed to figure out like leatherback etc. Feel free to explain others that are like these.
  
  I am also in complete awe of the lovely babies that the breeders have for sale on this forum, however as I am from the UK I feel like I'm just pressing my nose up at the window. Are there any UK equivalent breeders? Or are there any UK breeders using this forum that I haven't yet spied?
  
  Along the same lines as the previous questions, which are the most recommended websites for the UK, for feeders, equipment etc? I have browsed around the website and I have bookmarked those I've seen, I'm just wondering if there are others that I have missed.
  
  I have also read that if I get reptisun/arcadia that I only need a regular household bulb for heat and can just change the wattage until I get the right temperature... as normal bulbs are no longer allowed to be sold and all we have is those energy saving ones is this okay? Or will I need to order online or something to that effect?
  
  Regarding pet insurance, does anyone know of a good UK exotic pet insurance company? Is there any or will I just need to make a beardie emergency fund in an old bank account?

I think those are the only questions I can think of just now off the top of my head that I wanted to ask, I'm really sorry if you guys have already answered these before and even if I am pointed in the direction of a website or post I am more than happy to read the information from there instead of you all going over it again!

Thanks again in advance

Lorna

 

[ClydesGirl]

I can't help you with your UK questions, since I live in the US, but I wanted to say that there is no way a compact fluorescent would put out enough heat as a basking light. Fluorescents run much cooler than incandescent bulbs, which is partly why they are more energy efficient. If incandescents are no longer available for household lighting in the UK, I am sure they are still available for specialty purposes, like reptile basking lights, so you should be able to buy them at a pet store.

 

[Kaalin]

I can't help you with your UK questions, since I live in the US, but I wanted to say that there is no way a compact fluorescent would put out enough heat as a basking light. Fluorescents run much cooler than incandescent bulbs, which is partly why they are more energy efficient. If incandescents are no longer available for household lighting in the UK, I am sure they are still available for specialty purposes, like reptile basking lights, so you should be able to buy them at a pet store.

Thanks, I was worries I haven't seen an incandescent bulb for quite some time now! This at least reassures me

 

[Virus]

I am by no means an expert, though I'll try to help clarify a bit.

On the morphs you listed:

Normal - Just a regular beardie, usually some browns and tans in the color.
Hypo(melanistic) - Bright colors. The browns and most earthen colors are washed out, leaving the bright orange, yellows, etc...Also the nails will be clear without the dark line in it.
Translucent - A lack of white pigment I believe. It leaves the eyes black usually, and the skin is partially see through. This can leave the dragon with a pink or purple tint to it.
Het(-erozygous) - Het's are just beardies that have the genetic traits (leather/hypo/trans), but don't show them. However, if used for breeding, can pass the traits onto it's offspring, which can allow them to display these traits.

A hypotrans is popular because of the almost alien-like appearance of the pooper.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the UK side of the hobby, and so you'll have to wait for one who is to answer those.

On the bulbs, CG is correct that you need a bulb to produce a decent amount of heat. I'm not sure if MegaRay will ship over there, but if you can find a brand of MVB on your side of the pond...they provide UVB light as well as heat.

I don't have pet insurance, and I am not familiar with it. So as far as I am concerned, at least for my beardies...There's always money in the bank for a rainy day.

 

[Kaalin]

Thanks for all the info Virus

I'm sure there are some from the UK with oodles of information for me hehe

 

[Virus]

No problem, and I know there are plenty of people on the other side of the pond (well right now I'm on that side, but whatever) who lurk about all the time.

Just offer them a piece of candy or something.

 

[Kaalin]

I'm taking your advice Virus... I've just been to the big pink sweetie shop and I come bearing....

COOKIES!!!

I am happy to share my cookies with anyone that can shed some light on my questions hehe

 

[GemstoneDragons]

Sorry i have only just seen this, usually i read and learn as things can be quite different across the water but this 1 i can help on lol

You will need an Arcadia UV tube and a spotight basking bulb.

These may help you......

Genetics -

http://www.mbdragons.eu/en/genetica.html

Food -

http://www.thelivefoodwarehouse.co.uk/

http://www.livefoods.co.uk/index.php?cPath=94

http://www.butterworms.co.uk/

 

[Kaalin]

Your star, thanks lovely!