What are the best terrarium brands for beardies? an other ?s

[flickawolf]

As i stated in last post i did...im really new...

I'm now thinking of going with a Zilla terrarium. I was wondering, How good is this tank?

1. also, what type of light fixtures should I try to get? (exp: Domes or tube like)

2. what are some bulbs i can use (exp: would a normal house bulb *ones in normal lamps* work on tank)

3.what is the best thing to use in tank? (the substrate i think it's called) *pet store in town says to use walnut shell stuff or calcium sand or something like*

4. if i get my beardie from a breeder in town what should i look for? or should i just get one from the pet store?

:help: :help: :help: :help:

 

[icelore]

Hi there.

1) When it comes to tank or terrariums, brand makes no difference. Just going by cost alone, I recomend a 40g breeder tank. Periodically PetCo has $1 per gallon sales, and you can get one for $40! It's a good size for an adult bearded so that you don't end up buying multiple tanks.

2) As for lights, you're going to need 1 dome type fixture for a white basking bulb (household bulbs work just fine), and another fixture for your UV bulb. This is *extremely important*. There area few UV bulb options, but the most common is the ReptiSun 10.0 tube. It just looks like a long florescent light, and you can get a fixture for it for a couple of bu7cks at Walmart.

3) For substrate, it is generally accepted that a solid substrate is best - you can go really basic with paper towels or newspaper, or more fancy with linoleum, shelf liner, or slate tiles. Solid items are easier to clean, and much more healthy for your pet, as they cannot eat bits of it. Most of what pet stores tell you is flat out WRONG (both in terms of what to use as well as what breadie's need), so it's really smart of you to be looking around before hand.

There is a very nice guide someone published recently that list everything you need to have, as well as links and ideas where to get it. You should really read it, as it will clarify a lot for you! The Newbies Guide on What To Buy!

I hope that helps.

 

[flickawolf]

So a zilla 30X12X12 to a 36x18X18 **forget to exact measure* would be good?

And i figured they were wrong i read up on it, and i wanted to ask if they had like turfs for the tank to see what they'd say.

And also, what about heat lamp for night?
*the tanks going to be in a room thats lighted up most of day but goes dark at night *around 10 pm besides light of tv.

and also how would i section off the tank for baby beardie *plan on getting a juvie/baby whos big enough to eat baby crickets and old enough to start the handling (will start with just having hand in tank and let baby crawl on it without lifting it, untill it becomes used to me then start taking it out of tank)

 

[icelore]

36x18X18 is the minimum size (the 40g breeder size) and is perfect. The do sell reptile carpet as well that works. I forgot to mention that. XD

As long as your home isn't below60-65 at night, you don't need a heat source at night. If it is, DO NOT use a night "bulb", red, blue, green, it doesn't make a difference. It disturbs their sleep. You would need a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) that gives off heat and no light.

You don't need to section off a large tank for a young dragon. Even babies do fine in a large tank, they won't get lost or anything.


The link I posted will really give you a comprehensive idea of what you need as well as answer all your basic questions so you can make a checklist. I wish I had that option available when I was setting things up for my guy!

 

[flickawolf]

nother question. Would a beardie be okay around a toddler (toddler would be about 3-4 when beardie would be a year old if i get it when i plan on getting it)

*and i know about sanatizing hands before and after* and toddler would not hold the beardie, but mearly be around it and playing in same room as the tank would be it, and also possibley pet it aaaandd help feed it *putting food into tank*

 

[icelore]

As a teacher, I have to say that the question isn't weather the beardie would be ok around the toddler, but would the toddler be ok around the beardie. Some kids are intuitively gentle with animals, and some are a bit rougher (not out of malice, but just because). If the toddler is the type that picks up cats and squeezes them, pokes dogs in the eye, etc, then no. lol Some kids need to be taught to be gentle, it's not a bad mark on them. I had two 1st graders that nearly squeezed a rat to death, not because they were mean, just because they were worried of it falling out of their hands and hurting itself. See what I mean?

Honestly, I don't think interaction even with small animals is an issue, I would just make sure they are both on the floor so that there is no fear of falling or getting stepped on. The dragon definitely won't hurt your kid (assuming it's settled in and has a good temperament - though I've not seen a beardie yet that was foul), so the only recommendation is supervision as with all animals. I personaly think time with animals, especially from a young age and a variety of animals, teaching children empathy and caring, so I'd say go for it.

ANd ETA: Clearly I skimmed your question too quick - yes, minimal type of interaction like that (being in the room with the tank, helping feed, etc) should be absolutely no problem at all.

 

[flickawolf]

Shes very gentle, We have/had *not sure if it'll live much longer* little catterpillar *yellow underwing moth* and i'll tell her gentle and she's almost two so you know how some can be, but she gentley touched it once just enough to feel it and was happy. but shes gotta learn not to stick hands into tanks or try to open them.

I just wanted to be sure before getting one that the beardie would be able to hold up to a gentle toddler's love. and yes im going to get it tame enough where i can hold it out of the tank without any problems, before i let her near it. She has become interested in reptiles. (i've been raised around reptiles most my life) also um can a beardie hold up with a cat around the house?
Cat IS a hunter, and is young.

 

[icelore]

I just wanted to be sure before getting one that the beardie would be able to hold up to a gentle toddler's love. and yes im going to get it tame enough where i can hold it out of the tank without any problems, before i let her near it. She has become interested in reptiles. (i've been raised around reptiles most my life) also um can a beardie hold up with a cat around the house?
Cat IS a hunter, and is young.

As far as reptiles go, beardies are pretty damned solid and durable. They've surprised me. They can definitely withstand a gentle toddler.

As for a cat, that's a big red flag. Beardie's defenses are mostly geared toward predation by snakes and birds - against a ground mammal, it will have absolutely no chance. A cat would kill or severely damage it in a blink, and even if your cat is just a stalker and not a killer, you will end up with one very stressed out dragon, which could lead to behavioral issues, decreased appetite, and even illness. Just the cat sitting on top/in front of the cage to watch "dragon-tv" would most likely trigger the flight response in the dragon (they are prey animals too after all) and it will hide a lot.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a cat fan and foster kitties when time permits, but if a cat's got a hunter personality, plan on shutting the door to where the beardie is a lot.

 

[flickawolf]

shutting cat out of room would be hard since beardie will be in main room, but the kitty is mainly a mouse killer and is outside most the time except at night

 

[icelore]

Well, most you can do is try it. You'll see how the cat reacts to the dragon while it's in the tank. Don't underestimate the instincts of a cat though. They're untrustworthy! lol