Worried about how big my beardie is

[Anthony050202]

Hi so I got a bearded dragon for my birthday last year at petco(found out it’s a bad idea to after) and as of may 2,2020 he is a little over a year old. He has been growing and is a lot bigger than when I got him but I know he still small for his age he is currently 11 inches(just measured him). I also have another bearded dragon that surpassed him within a couple months. I make sure to let him eat crickets everyday and greens everyday as well,bathe him twice a week, basking area stays around 105 and I also have a uvb light, and the colder side stays around 85. I feed him crickets everyday some days he has a bigger appetite and eats around 30-40 crickets and other days he’ll only about 10. He uses the bathroom atleast once a day most days about twice. He is also in a 20 gallon tank. I’m really sorry this post is all over the place just thinking of more info I can add. Just wondering if anyone has any idea why he’s not growing like my other when they used the same things while growing and what can I do for him.feel free to ask question if needed please.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

We can review your tank setup just so we can be sure everything is all setup correctly
for him.
What type of thermometer are you using to measure the temperatures, a digital probe or
temp gun?
A 20 gallon tank is a bit small for an adult though. I am assuming that your two dragons
are housed separately, correct?
If you can post some pictures of your tank setup & of your dragon, that would be helpful.
Perhaps you have a Rankins?

Tracie

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Health

 

[KarrieRee]

You need to get him into a bigger tank --- recommended tank size for a full size dragon is 75-120 gallon --- also I dont know what your using for a UVB but if its a coil that is another issue -- I would look at getting him into a bigger tank ASAP--- and I would recommend nothing smaller than a 40 gallon and thats even gonna be too small- also recommended UVB is a 24" fixture w/ a reflector - and a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or T 8 or Arcadia 12% bulb--- you do not want a fixture the same length of the tank -- they need to be able to get out of the UVB rays if they want w/ out having to hide from them
Karrie

 

[Anthony050202]

hello thanks for the replies I’m aware of the bigger tank for him I’ve been searching for a new one but I recently got laid off so I’m looking for an affordable one right now until I get a new job.The picture of the thermometers are the ones I use but the humidity one fell off so it’s no longer there but I also have a temperature gun that I also use. I was also reading that he could be rankin dragon but I couldn’t tell if he was or not. Also for the new uvb would it be a smarter choice to wait till I get the new tank and for now just let him be outside in the sun for a while because I use a coil one I wasn’t aware that they’re bad to use I read somewhere that they weren’t anymore. Again sorry it’s all over the place and thank you for the help let me know if there is something wrong that I can change. Also yes they’re separated and alittle off topic but I was wondering if anyone knows a clinic that I can take them to get checked up Around the South Gate area I can’t seem to find one.

 

[KarrieRee]

The UVB I would not wait on -- he needs this now whether your taking him outside or not - its good that you are but I would get that and a digital probe thermometer ASAP --- you need that for basking temps-- Petsmart $6 --- here are some websites for fixtures the tank he in now is fine since your getting him out hes fine there for now its the UVB and temp probe you want
www.pangeareptiles.com
www.petmountain.com
www.chewy.com
I would get a 24" fixture w/ reflector and a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 ---
and if you have a colored bulb in that tank get rid of it -- they are harmful to the eyes and can cause long term eye damage among other problems-------------- if you need extra heat in the tank if your tank is falling below 65 at nite get a CHE - they produce NO LIGHT only HEAT --
Karrie

 

[Anthony050202]

Ok I will be getting the light and thermometer hopefully today. And the red light you see I got it cause petco recommenced it obviously I know I can’t trust their judgment anymore but I never use it I accidentally turned it on and realized it after the picture. Also from the pictures I took would you be able to tell me if he is a rankin dragon or if he’s just small cause it’s odd that my other one grew a lot more than he did.

 

[KarrieRee]

I cant but some others on here would be able to tell you -- to me he looks like a regular dragon - I will ask some one to look
Karrie

 

[Anthony050202]

Ok awesome thank you

 

[AHBD]

I agree, he looks like a normal dragon but if you post a few pictures of him from above showing his back it will be evident by the pattern. At 20 gallon tank is fine at his size though, if he gets bigger you can get a larger tank. But post a few pics of him to show his back from above. Pet stores almost never would sell a Rankin's by mistake they are a specialty dragon.

 

[Anthony050202]

 

[AHBD]

Yes, he's a standard beardie. Some beardies just are runts but still healthy looking, as he is. Different growth rates can be found even within siblings from the same clutch, and even more so with different dragons. He'll probably grow bigger than he is though, they can grow in to their second year. He looks very healthy though so he should be fine + continue too grow.

 

[Anthony050202]

Ok cool thank you for confirmation thank you everyone for the help as well.

 

[AHBD]

You're welcome. Here are some pics to get to know what a Rankin's is like, they almost all have a bowtie pattern, they have a more rounded head and they have spikier body. Adults are 10- 11" max size.


https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.reddit.com%2Fr%2Freptiles%2Fcomments%2F9gk6b3%2Fmy_new_pair_of_rankins_dragons%2F&psig=AOvVaw1gUnd1boYqpJM64a3736a4&ust=1588792913279000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCKDa_fu4nekCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAu

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQNXPZVlsQZWWW1pXS_zxYD4b2RtNfxcMjKJTvRhJwoPgmyESG8&usqp=CAU

 

[Anthony050202]

Ok sorry going back to the uvb is this a good one to get I want your guys opinion before I order it