Smok the Bearded Dragon (progression)

So I figured it would be a good idea to create a thread to track my new baby beardie's tales and progression into adulthood- much better than making new posts every couple of days.

So starting: he (not sure it's really a he yet) is about 5 1/2 inches long, so only a couple months old. I've been told he's a hypo citrus, though we will see if his colors change with time and sheds.

He currently lives in a 20gal squarish tank (until he gets bigger and I buy a new one). I use paper towel for substrate, though I plan on getting tiles here pretty soon. He eats mainly crickets - he is being very picky about veggies and turns his nose up when offered. He has a reptisun 10.0 light with a baskig light that keeps his large climbing stick at about 99-101 degrees at hottest. We've got him on a 12hr cycle currently, and I did he likes sleeping where he basks!

While I'm working on handling with the little guy I've noticed he does calm down ice picked up; he likes his chin and back stroked! He has fallen asleep on my heat once or twice, and likes to perch on my forearm when I'm at the computer . He also LOVED the bath; he tries to swim and splash in it.


This is not my first beardie rodeo, but it's the firs time I've worked with one so young. I'm more than open to suggestions and ideas! I will post more as time goes by

Thanks,
Ashley

 

[aepstein]

Here are some photos:

First bringing him home:

Some handling/bonding time:

Falling asleep on my hand:

 

[aepstein]

So while out getting last minute crickets (little bugger ate more than expected today), I found a nifty little hammock for Smok. I put it in his tank, though am not sure how safe it is for him? I placed it right next to his climbing stick, but am curious if he could potentially jump off and hurt himself?

Going to try it, but I'm not home during the day, as I teach kids. Thoughts and suggestions would be nice!

Also switched his bulbs because his temps weren't going much higher than 88...I was told that the bulbs we had (75w Night Glo) should get him to the temperatures he needs, but it's looking like a lot of people say to go higher than 90 for little ones....I replaced one of the night glos with a 50w infared basking bulb the same guy sold me....so hoping that will do.

-Ash

Update: The hottest temp in his tank is now at about 100/101. I don't want to shoot much higher than that just yet, as to avoid shocking the poors guy. He's been in a tank a little cooler than he should be. So hopefully this fixes any discomfort

 

[aepstein]

So after several pet shop visits in the last couple days, I think Smok just might be set now! I've had to sort through some misinformation, and talk to several people, so thank you everyone for your help! Luckily the people at the Petsmart near me ALL have reptiles, so they were super helpful too.

(sorry for the upside down) new lights for his tank! The UVB is meant for powering through mesh screens, and it seems to light his tank very well! The basking light is fewer watts as it's already fairly warm in the room he stays in (we have a reptile room), so should make for a decent basking area/light. The tank is only 12'' tall and 18''x18''. The only downside to the lighting is I will have to turn it on/off, but I'm pretty consistent with my schedule, and get up early on weekends.

New setup... is much brighter than it appears to be, actually. Didn't want to go crazy as I'll be upgrading his tank here pretty soon... (the pet store will be ordering tube lights/fixtures so it'll work out perfect).

Again! Thank you to everyone I've harassed in the last couple days.

 

[BlueDragon09]

Hey Ash,

Done well but I wanted to point out that coil/compact uvb hurts reptile eyes and other health issues.
We use tube bulbs called Reptisun 10.0 or Arcadia (depending where you live). Also neodymium bulbs hurt
their eyes too. But for basking you can use a regular household (no energy saving bulbs) bulb.

Other note: you can shoot for 105-110, it's really not that dangerous honest. With my first beardie I had wrong uvb and like you, used a neodymium and his eyes were hurt then used a colored bulb (don't use color bulbs either) and his eyes hurt more. Eventually when he got to old age he went blind in the eye that had problems. He lived happy though but I wanted to save you the trouble.

Edit: so you're gettin tubes and fixtures great! I just didnt want your dragon's eyes to be messed up. I understand about the shock of temps, you can gradually increase temps unless he is hiding from 105-110. I really wanted to help you before it gets too late.

Kami

 

[aepstein]

Hey Ash,

Done well but I wanted to point out that coil/compact uvb hurts reptile eyes and other health issues.
We use tube bulbs called Reptisun 10.0 or Arcadia (depending where you live). Also neodymium bulbs hurt
their eyes too. But for basking you can use a regular household (no energy saving bulbs) bulb.

Other note: you can shoot for 105-110, it's really not that dangerous honest. With my first beardie I had wrong uvb and like you, used a neodymium and his eyes were hurt then used a colored bulb (don't use color bulbs either) and his eyes hurt more. Eventually when he got to old age he went blind in the eye that had problems. He lived happy though but I wanted to save you the trouble.

Edit: so you're gettin tubes and fixtures great! I just didnt want your dragon's eyes to be messed up. I understand about the shock of temps, you can gradually increase temps unless he is hiding from 105-110. I really wanted to help you before it gets too late.

Kami

Yes- I'm waiting on the fixture for the reptisun tube. This was more of a temporary fix, so he is still getting his UVB. The His highest temp is about 109 at the tip of his climbing stick, and he seems to be comfortable! It wasn't setup properly beforehand to reach optimal temps.

I plan on buying a 40 gal tank soon (a local store has a sale coming up soon). Once I have a larger tank, I'll be able to fit my UVB tube INSIDE the tank, instead of hanging on the top. The only reason I have it set like this is due to the size of his current home. But thanks for the feedback~

 

[BlueDragon09]

Totally understandable!

You are doing a great job and cute dragon. I used a 10 gallon at one point. So I understand the whole saving tube light and fixture for the bigger cage. Just wanted to give you a heads up. Specially on that neodymium bulb. Personal experience with it.

Kami

 

[aepstein]

Totally understandable!

You are doing a great job and cute dragon. I used a 10 gallon at one point. So I understand the whole saving tube light and fixture for the bigger cage. Just wanted to give you a heads up. Specially on that neodymium bulb. Personal experience with it.

Kami

Thanks!

I definitely appreciate it, though! I'll keep an eye on him though; I've heard dual things from all sorts of people (some have no issues with these bulbs, and some due). But I'll be quick to change them if I notice any odd behavior.

 

[CooperDragon]

I just tested that coil bulb a few days ago. Here are the results for output/heights in case you're interested. For reference I like to provide a tankwide gradient of about 3-5 UVI in the basking spot down to .5-1.5 around it and then down to nothing in hides and shade.

 

[aepstein]

I just tested that coil bulb a few days ago. Here are the results for output/heights in case you're interested. For reference I like to provide a tankwide gradient of about 3-5 UVI in the basking spot down to .5-1.5 around it and then down to nothing in hides and shade.

So the portion of his tank he usually hangs out in is about 4in away from the UVB light. It does light the majority of the tank (minus the shadows beneath his climbing stick). He seems to have adjusted well: still pooping normally, and was SUPER energetic after lights out.

I took him out, gave him a bath, and he is currently sleeping in a washcloth

But, according to your pic, I should be okay, at least for a week or so (given he doesn't show any weird symptoms) with the current UVB? I'll check on him tomorrow when I get home from work. By then he will have had several hrs under that specific UVB bulb...

 

[CooperDragon]

I wouldn't go closer than 6'' above the basking spot, especially without a screen. You can see from the numbers how steep the intensity level gets as you get near it. These numbers aren't complete though, just an index. I'm not sure which parts of the UVB spectrum are being output and not without getting a different meter.

 

[aepstein]

I wouldn't go closer than 6'' above the basking spot, especially without a screen. You can see from the numbers how steep the intensity level gets as you get near it. These numbers aren't complete though, just an index. I'm not sure which parts of the UVB spectrum are being output and not without getting a different meter.

Good to know. 4'' was more of a guess, but thanks for the extra input. I do have a heavier mesh screen, though. Like I said I will just make sure to monitor him closely the next few days; If I see negative changes, I'll throw the extra money down and switch it, but if it'll do for a week or two I might just leave as is until we get the new tank.

I never realized how much money the little guy would cost me! I'm going to the pet store every other day for crickets, and he goes through them like nothing. Also playing with furniture and climbing equipment to keep him busy and active. I just can't wait till I get a bigger tank! I wanna put down tile (instead of paper towel) for him, but refuse to buy it until I have the tank he will stay in.

By the way, recommendations? Should I just do the 40 gal breeder? Or do you recommend the 55 gal? On a side note I do take him out for handling/exploring EVERY afternoon once I'm home...

 

[CooperDragon]

The screen testing I did was with the thicker screen top for a 20g long tank for what it's worth. The tiles are great, and I agree to wait until you have your permanent setup for them. I had Lowe's cut a few extra for me so I can swap them in and out easily for cleaning. The 40g breeder is OK size wise and you can get them for pretty cheap during the dollar/gallon sales. If you do that though, I'd definitely get a few lamp stands so you don't have to mess with the lights as much when you take the top off. I love my tank with the front opening doors. Most of the homemade tanks have them too. Easier for access and for cleaning. If you're good at building things, you may want to look into building one based on the crossfire enclosures. I'm not so I bought one of the big glass exo-terras.

 

[BlueDragon09]

My friend and I are building my boy a 40. He's in a 24 right now.

40 is good but people use as big as 75 but you don't have to do that.

Most use 40 anyway. You'll be ok with it. It's the bare minimum anyway...I think so. I'm not too sure on what the bare minimum is.

 

[aepstein]

I'm not big into building...I'm kinda leaning toward a 55 gal (the pet store near me frequently has the & per gallon deals..). That way he has room to move about and whatnot when I'm not home (and I have room to get proper lighting/play with setup, etc). Our reptile room (we also have 6 snakes) is kept at about 70+, so shouldn't be too much more to heat a 55 gal..

And because I'm upgrading soon (might just throw him in a bigger tank because he's so damned curious anyways, and loves to run), I haven't bought anything extra. I definitely want a lamp stand, though. And am looking into plants/toys and whatnot. But tile can be tedious, so I'm not going to bother until I know exactly how much I need. Though your ideas of having extra seem favorable, as far as cleaning.

Side note: eeven after I fixed his lighting he jumped and glassdanced when I turned his lamps off. I took him out, snuggled him and gave him a bath. This is him the past hour:

Melts my heart! <3