Tengu's great adventures

Hello all!

So, now my BD is 16 months old and she is at 42cm long and 355g. We believe she is fully grown and would like some advice on feeding.

Currently she gets fresh salad every day and 20 L size crickets once a day. Should we now start decreasing the amount of crickets? She LOVES them of course and salad is like a "Do I have to eat it?"

So any advice at the age she is at etc?

Thank you in advance

 

[tengu1]

LOL LOL :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

What an awesome answer!! You do make me laugh!

Yes she is a girl so that explains a lot!

yes the seasons here change like the next day! It is very harsh and it is winter and her tank is colder but at the safe temp. Do you think I should put a higher watt bulb in now? Currently it is 50w and basking area is at 42 degrees, but it is at 38 until it gathers heat. I have noticed she is hanging around the basking area more and definitely sleeping more. I think I will change it to a 75w now.

As far as forgiving goes....... I dont think she ever does! LOL I am currently eating some fruit and her beady eye is on the bowl I can tell you that. She LOVES fruit!! Isnt it funny how they love what they cannot have a lot of!

Quick question they say you can give apple once a week but no one ever says how much they can have. Is there a rough rule on that or?

I will try and remember the dragons are always in charge! LOL

OH one last thing. you said about me grabbing her without permission..... how do I know I have her permission?

Thank you

 

[sweetiepie9]

When you're grabbing her made sure you pick you up so her legs and arms are on your hand and her tail is also not spinning around. They hate that. Pick her up from her front, so she can back away if she doesn't want to be picked up, that's what I meant about getting permission.

Dragons are more complex than people thing.

I think 42 is too high unless she likes it that way, maybe 40. What are you using to measure temps?

I'm glad I'm funny, I try to be as at my age can't take life seriously. I'll be 60 years old next month, puts life into proportion. My dad is 88 and just had cataract surgery. So he'll not need glasses at all anymore, will have great eyesight. Will only need reading glasses that magnify the text so he can read it better. All this at 88! He'll be glad to drive again and he'll be back golfing within a couple of weeks. It's very mild where I live, near Vancouver, BC, Canada. Our winters are also very mild, rarely get snow, so it's funny when we do, people drive so terribly when it snows, even though it's just an inch or 2, it's ridiculous. So as much as possible I stay home when it snows. Never lasts more than a week or two. Different kind of climate to all of Canada here, everywhere else they have long winters.

When she gets over 2 years old, she'll probably be like my dragons and prefer 38C all the time, that's what my dragons like and they bask for often, too.

I'm glad I met you, you are a very interesting person and I love the way you take care of Tengu!

I have 3 sleeping dragons now, so Leo and Gabriel, who were the only 2 awake today, are getting an extra treat. They're snuggled on each of my shoulders and they're going to be allowed to sleep with me tonight. They love it when I do that!

 

[tengu1]

HI there

Sorry for my late reply. I was having issues with the site again. I will keep this short as a test before i reply properly!

 

[tengu1]

It worked!

So anyway, glad to hear about your dad! That's great news!

Tengu is a beast!!!! The grabbing thing is more of a I have to grab as she wont just climb on my hand unless being bribed! I usually have a towel so she can climb on as she associates the towel with outside sun and I think she feels safer on it.

Heat wise it is usually a steady 40 - 42 and she knows the areas. I have a hand held digital point thermometer as well as a digital one stuck on glass one and a normal stand up one half way along the tank and at the cool end I have a digital thermometer that is also a heat sensor so if it gets to its temp it cuts out, very useful for night time. At night it is at 20 degrees (lowest) and perfect night time temp I believe.

She had a bath yesterday and just sat there on the rock for around 10 minutes as a gently out water on her shedding areas, she seemed to enjoy it and then she did a monster number 2 and after that she started trying to get out.

I think she now realizes that a bath is good for her number two business and that's about it! LOL

I am still waiting for her to be more of a "love owner picking her up" type lizard. maybe she never will be but at least I know I am taking care of her the best I can. It is actually weigh in day so lets see whats going on there!

David

 

[sweetiepie9]

Hi David
Some dragons like to snuggle, some don't, they're all so different. Mine don't mind being picked up and being hugged, but not always. Though I've never been bearded when holding them, mostly just when I let them down and they still want to be held LOL

I'm glad she's relating bath to No2, mine all do that. Some wait for bath time, which is good. They all get baths tomorrow am before my friend is picking me up for shopping. I'm able to drive now (had ankle surgery 2 weeks ago), which is like getting my freedom back, but have to use crutches to get around once I'm where I'm going and that makes my shoulders ache. Oh well, all part of recovering. At home I have a knee walker which is like a scooter made to put my knee on.

Makes it easier to get around my apartment and take care of my beardies, get them to the kitchen sink for baths, etc. It's very heavy, though, so can't get it into my car by myself, that's why I also have crutches (my cousin lent them to me). The walker is being rented until I can walk on my own, probably 3 months. I'm also wearing a boot, cast like thing that can be taken off. Long recovery for this, but I at least have insurance through work so can still manage my finances.

I'll be waiting to hear what she weighs. My 13 month old, Castiel, is now up to 580g, I have to measure him again, he was 20" long about a month ago. Cierra and Nathaniel are the two that have been brumating for the last 2 mo, Cierra up and down, Nathaniel pretty well straight through. Cierra was up for a couple of days, she's back in her hide again. Nathaniel is still up, hoping he'll stay that way.
Cierra was on my bed checking out the computer & slept with me last night

Her brother Nathaniel likes his bright red pillow

Gabriel is also very sleepy, I got a picture of him on his cool side on his log (it's not very big, he looks like he's just in the air LOL)

Leo sleeps every day, with his head up, strangest thing I've ever seen. I won't let him fully brumate because he's been sick, he's going to the vet on Friday for a blood test. I'm hoping everything is good with him now.

 

[BlueDragon09]

Hi David,

I've been following your adventure with Tengu.
She's cute. Love her colors and also as Deb said take care of her. She's lucky to have you as her daddy.

Kami

 

[tengu1]

Hello!

Crutches are the worst!!! They hurt more than the actual injury! I really sprained my ankle once and I had to have crutches which I had to pay a deposit on!!! I guess the deposit is in case people throw them due to how much they suck!! Anyway, glad your ankle is on the mend!

Thank you for the pictures, very cute! They all look like they rule the roost!

Tengu is currently very active in her tank and I know that is before number 2 time. She always does it, she starts moving from place to place and then suddenly out of no where she will do it and at the same time keeping her eye on me! LOL I want to take her outside as its sunny today but I have to wait until she does her business.

So yesterdays weigh in was interesting. She had only gained 4g in a week but as I said she seemed off her food. Now she is eating normally again and all of her salad which is great and weighing in at 470g I think she will reach 500g in a week or two.

BLUEDRAGON09
Thank you for your kind words. She is a pretty dragon and she knows it :lol:

 

[sweetiepie9]

Yes, mine all rule the roost, I'm a good beardie slave :lol:

Yes, I hate crutches, too, but the leg walker I have is too heavy for me to get into my car and then hop to the front seat, so crutches it is, but just outside, not in my apartment. The knee walker is wonderful to get around my little space, I can handle the dragons, bugs, everything with this thing. Love it!

I'm glad Tengu's got more energy and is eating again. I'm sure it was the shed, they take longer and it's more difficult for them as adults (which she almost is, fully mature at 2 yrs old). I'm glad she didn't lose any weight, too. Good for her & you, too. Glad she's gotten out into the sun. Fall rains have started over here, haven't seen any sun for a few days now, not sure when it will be sunny again, but when it is, I have them all out for sunshine for an hour or so.

 

[tengu1]

Hello!

Funny you mentioned about puffing when it is time to come inside. Today I took her out and she was not happy about coming back inside! Such a funny girl!

In fact today she has been very active. I put the crickets under her lamp today to defrost and warm up for her and usually she doesn't notice because its not moving and today I caught her pinching them!! hahahahha I grabbed them out and her face was priceless! Then she stood at the front of the tank chest out as if to say "okay so???" Now she is basking looking like a very happy dragon

Also you said about permission.... isn't it funny that when food is involved permission is all to easy!!! :lol:

Speak soon and hope that ankle heals up fast!

 

[sweetiepie9]

I have 4 males, so see alot of beard puffing. As for permission, I get bobbed at sometimes if I don't move one or the other where they really want to be, outside. Even though the weather is cold and wet, they still dance in front of the balcony door, begging to go out.

I'm not surprised that Tengu didn't want to leave the sunshine, mine wouldn't either!

So you have her eating again, that's such good news. And pinching her food :lol: too funny!

The healing process for my ankle will be slow, but once it is done I'll have a strong ankle again. I don't mind being home, a bit boring at times, but I have my laptop to stay in touch with everyone, TV shows that I enjoy watching, plus movies when I get really bored. I also can drive now, so can get to the library and choose books to read. Plus there's my dragons during the day and my geckos at night. All keep me very busy, well as busy as I can be.

Talk to you soon, David, I love to hear about Tengu. I wanted to know where you live in Japan?

 

[tengu1]

OOH yes she loves eating! When she was a baby in the reptile shop she was separated from the others for pinching all the food! Actually I keep a diary of her weekly weight and first week of having her she was 87g! Now 470g so wow!

I did want to ask you something actually. Last night I attempted to see if she would sleep on me wrapped in fleece but she wasn't interested at all :shock: but she did for the first time lick my finger! I was really surprised as I believe they do that to know it is safe? Is that right?

I live in Tachikawa (Tokyo) and it is sunny so I am thinking I will take her out again, shes currently looking at me with a very beady eye so maybe she knows or expects....who knows!!

 

[BlueDragon09]

Your baby weighs more than mine at the moment. My boy and only reptile is 252g. Your 470 tops mine LOL. How's Japan? I always wanted to go visit. Mine licks my finger too, Im not entirely sure but I think that is how they "smell" their surroundings I was only told that. I just call it a kiss even though it means something else. Deb may know what it really means. You are a very interesting person, glad I decided to meet you, David.

Kami

 

[sweetiepie9]

They lick, so I've been told, to check their environment and yes, to feel safe. She's telling you that she knows you and feels safe with you. It's always good to be loved by a dragon, makes my heart swell.

She's a very healthy girl, when does she turn 2? It will be special treat time then

 

[tengu1]

BLUEDRAGON09

Japan is awesome. Sure it has its bad things like anywhere but it is so beautiful at certain times of the year. She is a big girl but not fat, happy with her weight gain I must admit Well yes the "kiss" was kinda special to me as it was first time

Deb
awwwwwwwwwwwwwww that's nice to know

She turns 2 around March - April I believe I need to check her papers. Today was awesome as a new pet/reptile shop opened and wow it was stunning. So clean and all reptiles were in actual reptile tanks not fish tanks and all tanks had the right stuff in them like not sand and hide holes with fake bush etc. I was really impressed and the beardies looked super healthy. They had two red ones which were stunning!!! very expensive but hey they are red! A few babies who were very cute and a HUGE and I mean HUGE Iguana!! The biggest I have ever seen, even scared me a little!! LOL I will definitely be getting the next tank for Tengu from there 105 cm long one by wild planet, really nice. Now I have seen the Red one I want it!!!!

 

[sweetiepie9]

It's hard to say no to a red dragon! And yes, a bigger tank for her for her lifetime, will be good.

I'm glad there's a new pet shop, do they sell life bugs of different types? It would be good to see if she would eat live bugs, good for her, too. Silkworms, butterworms, super worms, all good bugs for her to try.