Soon-to-be mommy

[AppolineArtemisia]

Hello! I am getting a beardie this weekend, after a month of intense research to make sure my baby gets what he/she needs. I am going shopping this saturday to first get the habitat and all the required things, then I'm going back and getting the beardie. I would like to know if there are any good tips/tricks for keeping the beardies happy, and any warnings for a newcomer.



edit: I've already picked out the name. If it's a girl, then it's Lilo. If it's a boy, it's Naveen. (both from Disney movies)

 

[zillathakilla]

Get tile as a substrate,its so easy to clean and looks better than carpet , make sure you have a reptisun 10.0 uvb,get a good thermometer to get exact temps, using rocks as a basking area is a great idea because they hold the heat well,your beardie won't eat veggies right away probably so only buy a bit and test them out,try feeding them veggies then crix(or whatever staple your feeding) Do you know how to correctly pick up a beardie?Most people dont know how to and their beardies will wig out when being picked up and people think it means their beardie hates them,WRONG your just not doing it right , one of the biggest things is to keep your beardies away from tall ledges and ALWAYS watch them whne their out of the tank,the little guys are faster than you'd think,their sprinters. Hope this helps

 

[AppolineArtemisia]

Thank you very much! That was really helpful.

 

[zillathakilla]

No problem,i enjoy sharing my experience like the others on here did with me when i first got my beardie

 

[NCSUCarrie]

Ditto to Zilla
when you measure temps do so either with a Temp Gun or a digital thermometer w/ a probe (like an indoor/ outdoor thermometer) as all the other kinds aren't accurate enough. Don't buy the "reptile kits" lol they usually don't have what you need and most of the time have stuff that's not recommended. Buying online for equipment and insects will save you money !
Babies are pretty hyper and won't hesitate to wiggle and leap out of your hands to kamikaze to the floor So beware and handle with care - and probably close to the ground initially.
I'm not sure you are getting your baby from a breeder or a pestore, but try to get a baby that's at least 6 inches long and ideally over 8 inches - they tend to do much better!
Go ahead and have your tank set up and have the temps worked out (it can take a bit of finagling to get them correct) before you bring your beardie home.
Check out the nutritional chart for veggies, greens, insects, etc at
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html
That's a great site
And finally try to find a good reptile vet in your area, even if you have to drive a ways to get to them. Knowing where one is and having a relationship with them before hand is valuable if your baby ever gets sick. I would also recommend having a fecal screen done for intestinal parasites even if your dragon looks completely healthy. Parasites are very common in beardies.
Good luck ! And congrats on your first beardie - they are WONDERFUL pets

 

[AppolineArtemisia]

Thank you!
I picked up my tank earlier this evening, alone with the basking lamp, substrate (reptile carpet, as recommended by a friend), a basking/hiding place (will need to get a taller perch for basking), and a food and water dish. I also picked up some butternut squash, arugula, and collard greens (all fresh).

I went to petsmart, and they had one small dragon, which I'm estimating around 6 inches. The second I walked over, it peeked it's head up, looked around, and ran up it's branch! Such an active guy/girl, with all it's limbs intact. I was very suprised to see it at a petsmart. I have it on reserve, and I am getting it tomorrow!

Have a million more name ideas, too.

I will take pictures and post them tomorrow, with it's decided name.

 

[zillathakilla]

Thats impressive for petsmart,its probably only been there a couple of days but if its as perky and active as u say then i would scoop him up quickly!

 

[NCSUCarrie]

That's awesome that you'll be getting him tomorrow An active beardie is a wonderful thing !! Sounds like you are on the right track with things for sure! Reptile Carpet is a great option.
the other random piece of advice I have is especially while young and small, soak them in warm water once daily to help keep them hydrated and stimulate them to defecate (even if you do have a water bowl in the tank). You can use a tupperware container, your sink, bathtub, whatever. Put a washcloth or paper towels down to help them feel safer by having something to grip onto. Some beardies love baths immediately... others are nervous and jump around a lot.
can't wait to see pics tomorrow YAY

 

[flnatv]

Very glad you are doing your research
Both of my beardies LOVE their hammocks... they sleep in them at night.
I have repticarpet and tile in their cages. I vacuum it out a few times a week, wash the carpet once a week if it looks soiled and wipe down the tile once or twice a week depending on how messy they are that week... lol

I give mine soaks once a week, keep a small bowl of water in their cages (I have seen both drink from them, so I like it there eventhough some will tell you they don't use them and theirs don't drink from them.... I prefer to give them the option).... mist them with water once or twice a day (one HATES it still and the other comes to the water and sprawls out for the misting).

I got my first baby at petsmart... she was at the front of the cage scratching to get out. She would run back and forth while she was scratching and I just couldn't resist her ( we already had a plated lizard and a crested gecko given to us by a former student of mine with a bearded dragon as well.... I loved her beardie from the first time I saw her). Anyway, she still runs along her cage and scratches to get out... loves to torment the cats by waiting until they are in the room to do this... lol

Make sure you post pictures when you get them.... I am sure we would all LOVe to see him/her.

 

[zillathakilla]

theres no need to mist them at all,just a bath once a week or twice during shedding is fine