To and Fro - Dash's thread

I thought I'd go ahead and start up a thread for my new beardie, Dash. Dash was bred by Tom at TnD Dragons. He was hatched June 11, 2010 and is the son of Gemini and Dozer. He's a citrus pastel coloring.

Dash arrived today after the long overnight trip from Pennsylvania. He arrived and was left by the front door, unannounced, by UPS. Fortunately, Tom PM'd me here on the forum to say he had the delivery notification so I rushed out and brought him inside. He made the trip in good shape and has spent the afternoon exploring his viv.

He left me a nice poop already, which convinced me that having some natural driftwood in the viv was a bad idea as it's difficult to clean and sanitize. First lesson learned

Around 6:30 PM, he got his first bath here at home, which he seemed to tolerate but wasn't too excited about. I wasn't able to pick him up yet, as I'm too scared I'll hurt him, but he was happy to crawl onto my palm. After his bath, he chowed down on 10 crickets, which seemed to satisfy him, so I left it at that. I'm pretty sure he's eaten some greens, but I haven't caught him at it yet

Lights out will be at 9 PM and that will be his usual schedule - up at 7:00 AM and lights out at 9.

All in all, a great first day!

Here he is pretending to look at the back wall while preparing to nab the poor, unsuspecting cricket!

 

[beardie parents]

Wow, he's adorable! Ups does the same thing to us and we only get my MK order.

 

[Freeie]

Awww hes a cutie!

 

[Toyguy]

My first dilemma Do I trust him not to try and leap out if I take off the screen to get the poo outta there? I think not!

Another lesson learned - do not put the basking shelf high enough for him to reach the top of the cage! I may have to rethink the magnetic glass-mounted rock shelf. He has a rock cave to climb on, but it isn't very tall. Decisions, decisions

 

[Freeie]

They are super smart, if they can escape or have in the past they will from then on. If hes not in his forever home you could save it for that one. Its a pretty shelf.

 

[Toyguy]

Finally remembered to weigh and measure my little beastie today. He's 7.5" from snout to tail and weighing in at 16g.

He didn't seem too hungry today - he ate about 5 crickets and some of his salad, so I am not worried yet. He left me another nicely formed poop and took a 10 minute bath to soak and hydrate. It looks like he may be getting ready to shed as his colors are going a bit gray, especially on the tail.

Here's a link to a short video I took with the portable camera I usually have mounted on my motorcycle: http://vholdr.com/node/99573

 

[nair88]

haha, looks like he likes watching the news

 

[Toyguy]

He does seem fascinated by the reflection. I think I may get a bit more aquarium background for the sides of the enclosure. I'm a little concerned it may be too much motion and stress for him being able to see the TV reflection.

 

[Toyguy]

Dash seemed to have a good weekend. It's funny how quickly you get attached to them. I was quite proud of the little guy when I found him eating his salad after polishing off his phoenix worms.

Now today he's doing something new. I'd be happy to hear what people think of it. From what I have read, I am leaning towards not stressing about it yet because he doesn't do it constantly. Here's what he's up to:

He's taken to sitting in his basking spot with his mouth hanging open at times. Not all the time though, maybe about half. He's eaten well again today, and pooped normally, plus he's plenty active so that's why I am not too worried. Basking temp is 105 degrees on the Accurite and he's under a ReptiSUN 10 at that spot also at about 8" distance. His eyes are open almost all the time, so I don't suspect a UVB problem. His breathing doesn't seem labored and I can't hear any unusual noises from him.

He makes me laugh all the time, and I'm glad I don't have to worry about film costs anymore. I'd go broke on developing and printing. Here's a couple I grabbed over the weekend:

A little help, please?

He looks stuck here but he wasn't. I think he was just glad to be out of the water. LOL

This sleep number bed is amazing!

Dash can sleep anywhere. Saturday night he slept straight up on the glass, standing on top of his basking shelf on his hind legs. Last night found him molded to his new branch, which he really seems to love.

Dave

 

[nair88]

i'm certainly no expert, but i don't think there's anything to worry about. i'm sure he's just thermo-regulating.

it's nice to see another little guy who doesn't like taking baths too much. falkor is always doing his best to get out of the tub. i just can't get him to relax and enjoy it.

 

[Freeie]

i'm certainly no expert, but i don't think there's anything to worry about. i'm sure he's just thermo-regulating.

it's nice to see another little guy who doesn't like taking baths too much. falkor is always doing his best to get out of the tub. i just can't get him to relax and enjoy it.

I have one i got at 2 months old and hes almost 15 months now he still hates his bath i get a stink eye every time. Some really grow to love it and will play and swim.

 

[Toyguy]

Dash really hates the bath. In fact, I will have to get him a taller bathtub because I am concerned he's not going to get enough hydration since he leaps out so fast

Here's tonight's bedtime pose. He really looks tuckered out tonight! He stays awake a short while once he finds his spot, but I'll find him right here in the morning.

 

[Toyguy]

Here's a quick shot of the usual bathtub Stink Eye

 

[Toyguy]

Another first today, at least for me Dash started a good shed off his tail. I noticed him climbing up his basking branch looking a little tattered.

It came off after about 30 minutes, but I see more is appearing now.

I wanted a good pic of him for my Windows desktop. So far, this is the best I've gotten but I need a better camera now

 

[nair88]

that's cool. falkor still hasn't shed his tail yet. he's been gradually working his way down there though, so hopefully it'll be soon.