I recently took back a bearded dragon I gave to my sibling when I was in middle school. He was mine originally but I was a horrible caretaker and thought my sibling would give him the attention he needed. Now that I'm older (Turning 18 this year), I wanted to take on the responsibility of a pet again, since I had failed before and always felt guilty. The dragon I passed on to my sibling wasn't in the best care and they were more than happy to pass him back over to me, probably to save them the work.
To make sure he was easier to keep an eye on, I moved his cage out of my sibling's room and in to mine, but not before washing it very thoroughly because it REEKED. Now he's been in my room for a week and I only ever see him without stress marks when he's sleeping! I know this could be from the relocation but I really would like to make sure.
He's in a 40 gallon tank, which might be a bit small for a dragon of his age, but I can't get another one at the moment so it'll have to do for now. But believe me I will look for every opportunity to get him a better one. The tank has tile flooring and has been like that for awhile now, even under my sibling's care. He's got one of those half logs, a big winding branch, and a neat reptile hammock for his basking space (which he loves).
As for lighting, I have him under a Reptisun 10.0 for UVB. As or his light bulb, he was under a 50w for a significant amount of time due to someone buying the wrong bulb. I found a 75 to use and he was under that for most of the week. But It didn't seem to be producing enough heat. Luckily it went out yesterday and we went out and got a 100w instead. I don't think its too hot, its not too close to his basking spot. But if we come to a conclusion that it is then I always have the receipt.
He's fed dandelion greens as a staple, with occasional berries and carrots. He used to be fed butternut squash too but we thought it was the culprit for his stinky poops. Now that I think about it, it might've just been the poor heating, so I might re-introduce it into his diet. As for bugs, He usually has superworms (7-6 at a time), but occasionally gets crickets (12 at a time). Always dusted with calcium. I usually gutload the supers with carrots too.
He spends his time either basking or running around the cage, I try to take him out often and spend time with him so we get to know each other better.
As an overthinker, his stress marks are probably causing ME more stress! Joking, of course, but I want to find out what it is soon. Because if its something I can fix, then I'd love to take care of it right away. My beardies name is Felix, btw.
*EDIT*: Don't know what was going through my mind when I said turnip greens. He's fed DANDELION greens as a staple.
To make sure he was easier to keep an eye on, I moved his cage out of my sibling's room and in to mine, but not before washing it very thoroughly because it REEKED. Now he's been in my room for a week and I only ever see him without stress marks when he's sleeping! I know this could be from the relocation but I really would like to make sure.
He's in a 40 gallon tank, which might be a bit small for a dragon of his age, but I can't get another one at the moment so it'll have to do for now. But believe me I will look for every opportunity to get him a better one. The tank has tile flooring and has been like that for awhile now, even under my sibling's care. He's got one of those half logs, a big winding branch, and a neat reptile hammock for his basking space (which he loves).
As for lighting, I have him under a Reptisun 10.0 for UVB. As or his light bulb, he was under a 50w for a significant amount of time due to someone buying the wrong bulb. I found a 75 to use and he was under that for most of the week. But It didn't seem to be producing enough heat. Luckily it went out yesterday and we went out and got a 100w instead. I don't think its too hot, its not too close to his basking spot. But if we come to a conclusion that it is then I always have the receipt.
He's fed dandelion greens as a staple, with occasional berries and carrots. He used to be fed butternut squash too but we thought it was the culprit for his stinky poops. Now that I think about it, it might've just been the poor heating, so I might re-introduce it into his diet. As for bugs, He usually has superworms (7-6 at a time), but occasionally gets crickets (12 at a time). Always dusted with calcium. I usually gutload the supers with carrots too.
He spends his time either basking or running around the cage, I try to take him out often and spend time with him so we get to know each other better.
As an overthinker, his stress marks are probably causing ME more stress! Joking, of course, but I want to find out what it is soon. Because if its something I can fix, then I'd love to take care of it right away. My beardies name is Felix, btw.
*EDIT*: Don't know what was going through my mind when I said turnip greens. He's fed DANDELION greens as a staple.
