Newbie!!!!

[andresm]

Hey all!! My name's Andres and I've recently become a beardie owner (3days ago) His/her name is Rex he's about 6in STL. We're still not sure of the sex.
But I've got a couple of questions. Hopefully someone can help me. I would greatly appreciate it!

Rex seems in great health, he's pretty active loves basking obviously, loves his crickets-it's actually really cute to see him go crazy when I grab the cricket tank- but

1. I've got him in a 10gallon tank, and it's hard to keep the temperature gradient! The warm side where he basks is great about 100F, but the cool side barely gets lower than 90F. Should I get a new tank?? Is it just the lighting?? I currently have a 2.0 Repti-glo UVB light along with a regular incandescent for heating

2. He doesn't eat much veggies. Is that normal?? And if it is, how can I get him to start eating his veggies.

3. I'm not handling him much. I figure I should give him about a week to get acclimated. I only barley pet his head once in a while and just move his habitat around to put in fresh water, check temps, and change his salad, which he doesn't touch so i switch it to be fresh.

ANY SUGGESTIONS?? sorry for the lengthy intro but I need help. thank you in advance!!!

 

[Wavedancer]

I'm sure someone else will come on and answer 99% of your questions but I wanted to let you know as fast as possible that he's in too small a tank. A ten gallon is too small for the heat. That's why the cool side is too hot. You need to either upgrade to a 20 gallon for now or a 40 breeder tank or larger(which he could live in permanently) either way you need to get him out of the 10 gallon soon before you literally bake him. I just wanted to let you know for your babies sake.

 

[AMHaak]

Yes you do need to get him a bigger size tank. This way you can get the other side of the tank cooler. It is normal for baby beardies not to eat as much veggies. Just keep giving them to him. They usually tend to each more veggies as they get older. You could try to put some worms or crickets in is salad to try to trick him into eating veggies.

 

[AMHaak]

Sorry I forgot about you last question. You are doing the right thing by not handling him for a while because he is new. Just keep doing what you are doing. Talk to him frequently, and keep petting him on the head. You could even pick him up while he is still inside the tank. This way he will get use to your hand.

 

[sara24354]

Try to go ahead and get a bigger tank 40 gal breeder at least or you will be buying another tank soon. The lighting you have has been known to cause problems,not eating,not growing right eye rpoblems etc...You need to get a reptiSUN 10 and you can get regular household bulbs for heat. The UVB needs to be a long tube flourecent bulb and play around with wattages of bulbs to get desired temps.Keep trying to feed veggies,mustard greens,collard greens,and turnip greens are the best go to http://www.beautifuldragons.com and there will be a list of things you can feed every day,once in a while and also what to avoid giving your dragon.

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Health

 

[andresm]

Thanks to all of you!!

I got alot of clarity, especially on the uvb bulb. I was really wondering about that. I thought it wasn't good enough! I guess I'll be getting a new tank then.