Bearded dragons

[Bantamlover23]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice about the care of bearded dragons. I friend of ours is out of town for several months until she gets trained for her new job and is leaving me a bearded dragon to care for. I have no experience with these animals. I am not sure how old it is but I think it is about a foot long. I will know more later. Any advice would appreciated.

 

[ConchRepublic]

Not much to it besides feeding and keeping it warm I think.

This might help you:

http://www.beardeddragoncare.net/

 

[Goat_Walker]

My sister has one.

Do you have a cage big enough for him? You also need to make sure that the water is changed regularly - especially if he kicks sand into it.

Ours in a little shorter than a foot and eats at least 12 crickets a day, loves lettuce as well. He will need the two lights ( Heat and UV ) a rock to bask on, and ... umm... Thats most of it. Ours likes to hang on our clothes and ride on shoulders. The Poo Though - EWWW It is one stinky mass of urine and fecal matter and the smell is HORRID!!

Any other questions just ask! And I can ask my sister lol

 

[Dar]

I used to breed Bearded dragons...

1) NEVER ever feed a dragon a cricket that is bigger then the space between its eyes. (this mainly applies to young dragons) Doing so may cause an obstruction in the intestine
2) temp: you want you temp in the hot end/basking spot, at about 100*F. you also want a cooler end of the tank at around 80*. If there is not a hot enough area the dragon will not break down the food properly and will go into a hibernation/Brumation state. this is ok for a limited amount of time about 2 months then they need to be warmed and FED
3) UV IS A MUST!!!! and the bulb must be changed every 6 months
4) dust the crickets with a calcium supplement

some dragons will eat greesn some wont... if this one will stay away from spinach as it will inhibit the calcium absorption. and stay away from lettuce, it has little to no nutritional value

that is just the tip of the ice burg but its a start if you need more let me know

 

[Goat_Walker]

Quote:
What treats can we give them then? I didnt know about the lettuce - my advice was based on watching my sister care for her dragon.

 

[Dar]

Quote:
What treats can we give them then? I didnt know about the lettuce - my advice was based on watching my sister care for her dragon.

Treats:
shredded carrot
silk worms
wax worms
butter worms
mine loved berries... all berries
melon

some dragons will not eat it if it does not move.. so its trial and error
I have one dragon that LOVED pinky mice.. it got to the point that he would see the round butter like container that he would charge at the glass (crickets always came in bags) he was the only one though i used these to "fatten" him up in prep for burmation. I used to allow my males to go into burmation to allow my females time to rest and recoop and so there was not a bigger dragon competing for the food cause my males were pigs. In the spring and when I had a gravid female i had to separate males and females for feeding

ETA: romaine lettuce on ~~OK.. but not the best treat.. Iceburg lettuce is a no no its all water... with that said if you are feeding lettuce is small amounts its ok to help with hydration but I prefer to rely more on misting the tank for hydration.

as you mist the dragon on the head you will notice channels along the head and mouth line.. these are there to collect water for drinking.. A $ store mistting water bottle is all you need for this, this will also help with the shedding by keeping the humidity up


OO and another ETA: never ever use a heat rock you know the type you plug in... dragons have NO heat receptors on their tummy and will sit on the rock till they blister... A heat lamp pointed at a rock is ok

 

[Bantamlover23]

This dragon is currently being fed fuzzies every 3 days and veggies and fruits. Since Christmas day this dragon was loose in the wild and was just found yesterday. What size cage does she need. Also what books do you recommend about the dragon care.

 

[reveriereptile]

Definitely use the recommended lamps and avoid using is heat rocks. Heat rocks can cause burns to the lizard. Figured I better warn you incase you go to a pet store and they suggest one which I've seen happen before. I don't own a bearded but I'd like to suggest that if anyone on here does to post some pictures of your tank set ups for Bantamlover. Also, Bantamlover, you might want to do a google image search on the tank set ups. There are reptile forums you might look up and join. A good site I have boughten cheap live crickets from is http://www.flukerfarms.com/ if they ship to your state. The only problem I had with ordering from them is the mail man would put them in the mail box during the winter and they would freeze to death even though the can said live crickets on it. Could probably have them sent to the post office and have them call you for pick up. Only costs $8.95 for a 100 live crickets (shipping included in price) and your choice of cricket size.

 

[Dar]

I will up load a few pics of my babies... as for my set up.. i have to go to another computer for those pics... I only have one dragon left... she is my last surviving female and she is an old girl

 

[Bantamlover23]

They are actually pretty cute. I am really starting to like this one I am petsitting. What types of fruits and vegetables are they allowed to have?