Hello!
Just an introduction. I live in South Carolina. This is my very first beardie. Only other reptile I have had was an extremely sick gecko after someone who couldn’t care for it relinquished ownership to me, but unfortunately after I took her to a reptile vet and a couple days of intensive care she passed away.
This guy was given to me by a client at the Vet clinic I have worked at for 25+ years as a vet tech. The owner was moving and couldn’t take him with her. So I volunteered to give him a home. I’m slowly trying to learn more and change his environment to suit his needs better. The previous owner did the best she could but a lot was not right. His diet was pellets and dried crickets dusted with calcium. I’ve introduced mixed salads and mustard greens so far along with super worms and dubi roaches. He is eating all of it well but only with hand feeding. He won’t come off his basking spot which I think is because the temp is not appropriate yet. Im struggling to get it hot enough. I have two separate bulbs over him 100w and 75w both Reptisun basking bulbs. They sit directly on the screen top and is about 8”ish from him. I’ve been keeping part of the tank covered with a towel to try to keep as much heat in as I can. I also have a UVB light ordered and coming. Having said that he will occasionally sit with his mouth slightly cracked which I’ve read means they have reached a good temp and it’s their way of maintaining it.
I want to upgrade his vivarium at some point. He is in a 40gal, I would like to see him in 48x24x24 soon.
So far Aries is able to be handled but you can tell he’s very unsure. I am going slow and not picking him up much. I simply hang out with him stroke his back and hand feed. Anytime I open his door I have something to give him. Blueberries are his absolute favorite after the worms and dubis. Im open to any and all suggestions but be patient and kind this is only the beginning of a long journey for me learning how to care for him properly. Thank you!
Just an introduction. I live in South Carolina. This is my very first beardie. Only other reptile I have had was an extremely sick gecko after someone who couldn’t care for it relinquished ownership to me, but unfortunately after I took her to a reptile vet and a couple days of intensive care she passed away.
This guy was given to me by a client at the Vet clinic I have worked at for 25+ years as a vet tech. The owner was moving and couldn’t take him with her. So I volunteered to give him a home. I’m slowly trying to learn more and change his environment to suit his needs better. The previous owner did the best she could but a lot was not right. His diet was pellets and dried crickets dusted with calcium. I’ve introduced mixed salads and mustard greens so far along with super worms and dubi roaches. He is eating all of it well but only with hand feeding. He won’t come off his basking spot which I think is because the temp is not appropriate yet. Im struggling to get it hot enough. I have two separate bulbs over him 100w and 75w both Reptisun basking bulbs. They sit directly on the screen top and is about 8”ish from him. I’ve been keeping part of the tank covered with a towel to try to keep as much heat in as I can. I also have a UVB light ordered and coming. Having said that he will occasionally sit with his mouth slightly cracked which I’ve read means they have reached a good temp and it’s their way of maintaining it.
I want to upgrade his vivarium at some point. He is in a 40gal, I would like to see him in 48x24x24 soon.
So far Aries is able to be handled but you can tell he’s very unsure. I am going slow and not picking him up much. I simply hang out with him stroke his back and hand feed. Anytime I open his door I have something to give him. Blueberries are his absolute favorite after the worms and dubis. Im open to any and all suggestions but be patient and kind this is only the beginning of a long journey for me learning how to care for him properly. Thank you!