The REAL Slim Shady! (Anniversry Edition!!)

Hey all! I just got my beardie, Slim, a few days ago. My dad called him Slim Shady as a joke and it stuck!

I thought I'd keep a diary-type thing here like many of you seem to do. Every day I get so excited about him, I want to keep some kind of log of his growth. I also want to eventually post a picture of the underside of his tail to get some help sexing him.

Day 1, 11/24/12: Taking him home in a Kritter Keeper. I wanted him to come around on his own, so I put the box he came in in the Keeper and let him come out gradually during the car ride.

He's so adorable, and a little rascal, too! Here are some other pics of him during our first week together:

Cuddling with mommy!

Like the poster child for cuteness.

Sleepy time!

"Check out my sexy curves!"

Loving his new hammock.

The first day he didn't eat much, being new to his environment and all. It took a few days, but by day two or three he was wolfing down crickets like it was his day job. He's still warming up to me, very very slowly, but today I saw lots of progress! I dipped a few mealworms in some baby food (I know mealworms aren't ideal, but the store is out of crickets and I'm waiting on a shipment still) and fed them to him, then actually got him to lick some off my finger! He loves Gerber's organic squash baby food... it's just organic squash and water.

He's still not entirely trusting of me... unless I have food in my hands, of course. But hopefully this thread evolves to include more good news about him coming around. :love5:

 

[Dreamwritten]

Ha, thanks!

 

[Momswims1]

My hubby gets tired of hearing me talk about my bear dies too but thankfully my 14 year old is just as addicted to them as I am. I never tire of cuddling with them or talking about them. I think most people on this site understand. Yours is really cute with the short nose and pretty pattern. Rub his nose for us.

 

[ryback]

Your welcome take care and same to slim shady lol

 

[Dreamwritten]

I always rub his nose but I had no idea he had a "short" one! Thanks guys!

Here are some more pictures because, apparently, now my mom is addicted to photographing him as well:

 

[jezwolf175]

He gave you guys such a stink eye in that last one. :lol: I love how he is riding on your hoodie.

 

[Dreamwritten]

Yeah, he gets so nice and comfy on me now :love5: I can't believe it was only a little over a month ago I was freaking out over him being so scared of me!

Slim has his first vet visit on Saturday and I can't wait! Nothing really seems to be wrong, but it'll be a weight off my shoulders getting that dark tail tip examined and getting a precautionary check up. I just want to get a check up and a fecal done, and then I won't go back unless something seems to be off. It's going to cost me a pretty penny though... the only reptile expert in the area runs $75 for base appointment and $40 for a fecal.
:bleick: :whip:

Since everyone posts pictures of their other pets, I figured I'd introduce you all to Bubba, my mom and stepdad's Red Eared Slider!

 

[ryback]

Cool slider was thinking of getting a turtle back in spring. What do they eat and does lighting be needed. Little sick of my dragons and my monitor well not her.

 

[Strawburriez]

You have such a handsome bebbeh. ;3; It looks like you're taking excellent care of the wee devil! His coloring is goooorgeouuuuus. Reading through your thread has made me want to take my boy Paarthurnax out to snuggle, but he would probably be pretty unhappy with me for that, since it's 2:38 AM and he's asleep. x3 Might get a little snippy in the morning. I've fed crickets and phoenix worms as well, though I've never used wax worms. I have, however, used some freeze-dried mealworms as a treat and when there's a delay on a shipment of other critters, and he LOVES them. Even when he has fresh, live food, he gobbles these up like nobody's business. I've heard mixed stories on mealies, so I don't use them much- but gawsh, does he love me when I do. ^ ^; I've never used baby food, but I think I might try it, just to get cute pics of his messy face. He's definitely a sloppy eater. x3

Can't wait to see more of this little guy! c:

 

[Dreamwritten]

Cool slider was thinking of getting a turtle back in spring. What do they eat and does lighting be needed. Little sick of my dragons and my monitor well not her.

To be completely honest, my family doesn't exactly follow the rule book when it comes to our turtle. It seems like this guy is really hardy, having lived 12 years already under his conditions. Not that he is in a bad home, we just sort of take care of him how we see fit, not how any books or forums might advise us!

I would change that, but it's not my animal and they insist that they're doing enough to care for him since he's lived this long thus far. As you can see, I try to do every little thing possible for Slim because I want him to be healthy and he's MY pet.

But, if you still want my advice, here are the answers to your question... at least, as far as my turtle goes

Our turtle eats green turtle pellets and dried krill. The krill can get a bit pricey. We also get him some feeder goldfish or minnows for a very very rare treat, which are cheap.

As far as lighting, I'm sure they need UVB, but ours really just has a heating lamp and a plain fluorescent bulb. We don't even keep them on all day--just at night when it gets dark until bedtime.

I'm sure this isn't the ideal setup, but he seems to be doing fine. They're definitely hardier animals than bearded dragons! I even give him the deceased crickets that Slim can't eat sometimes. :silent:

 

[Dreamwritten]

You have such a handsome bebbeh. ;3; It looks like you're taking excellent care of the wee devil! His coloring is goooorgeouuuuus. Reading through your thread has made me want to take my boy Paarthurnax out to snuggle, but he would probably be pretty unhappy with me for that, since it's 2:38 AM and he's asleep. x3 Might get a little snippy in the morning. I've fed crickets and phoenix worms as well, though I've never used wax worms. I have, however, used some freeze-dried mealworms as a treat and when there's a delay on a shipment of other critters, and he LOVES them. Even when he has fresh, live food, he gobbles these up like nobody's business. I've heard mixed stories on mealies, so I don't use them much- but gawsh, does he love me when I do. ^ ^; I've never used baby food, but I think I might try it, just to get cute pics of his messy face. He's definitely a sloppy eater. x3

Can't wait to see more of this little guy! c:

Aww, thank you! I'm trying my best with him.

Honestly, I hear a lot of bad things about mealworms too, but they saved me when I was waiting for my feeders and my little guy didn't seem affected. I'll only use them in emergencies though, I refuse to risk it otherwise.

As for waxworms, they're just fat content really, not much more. I gave Slim some as a filler while I waited for my first shipment of crickets and to fatten him up since he was a skinny boy... and boy, did it work! I can't believe how much he's grown in a month.

Baby food is a lifesaver. Slim likes to lick it off my finger, and eat it out of his bowl with some veggies while I'm at work. It's a good way to keep them hydrated, too, as the natural baby foods are just veggies and water!

Good luck with your little guy and definitely get some messy baby food pics! :lol:

 

[zandi202]

I found out Jace was a male by how agressive he was towards his reflection thinking it was another beardie on his turf.

 

[Dreamwritten]

You know, the funny thing is, Slim is a boy but he's really not aggressive. I've showed him his reflection in several mirrors and even put him by Bubba's tank, and despite Bubba looking like he was craving a little beardie snack, Slim was unfazed. He really didn't care. haha.

 

[zandi202]

My bearded dragon, Jace, I found out was a male due to his aggression levels. He has never been aggressive towards me, but towards his reflection in the cage. Then I managed to do a fast check underneath and sure enough he had the large pores shaped into a V. Hope that helps you or gives you an idea as to the gender.

 

[ryback]

Great thanks and doing something right lol at 11 years old.

 

[noelerhard]

Slim is one handsome beardie! And I just love his name! I hope you have great adventures together