Things I need for Bearded Dragon!?

Question

I am thinking about getting a bearded dragon, money will not be a problem really....

I have been doing some research online, but I also want tips from owners, because I want to be as informed as possible before I get it. Can I please have tips on lighting, heating, housing, feeding (live food, pellets, salads), hygeine, etc!

Thanks!

Answer 1

I have a 12 year old dragon and we feed him a mix of crickets, mealworms, fruit, romain lettuce veggies. The veggies and lettuce are good hydration for them but you should still mist him once every week or two. I also give mine a pinky mouse every couple of months as its a good shot of protein. We do a under tank heat mat and above heating with a branch that goes from one side of the tank to the top of the other side of the tank that way if he wants more heat he can climb up. We use sand for substrate.

Answer 2

Clean the tank once every 1 or 2 weeks. They will eat crickets or mealworms.It doesn't really matter. If you want your dragon to really like you then hand feed it a waxworm every day or 2. Watch the waxworms mouth though cause they can hurt. For a house just somethign to get under because they don't really hide a lot. Mopstly they bath in the heat lamp. hold them a lot at young age so they'll like people and you'll have more fun.

Answer 3

If you are going to get a young one, you could start with a 20 gallon long tank with a screen lid. Then you could go right to a 40 breeder size when he grows. You will need a heat lamp or ceramic heat bulb put to one side of the tank, I like to put a hide and branches under this lamp so that they can thermo regulate themselves. I would recommend putting a thermometer on both corners of the tank. You will also need a UV light. They do make a dessert UV bulb with gives a higher percentage. You can place that in the middle of the tank. The only other bulb I would recommend is a night heat bulb, depending on how cold your home gets. On the cool side of the tank you should put a very small water dish, to much water will make humidity, and they like it dry. I keep mine on the finest calcium sand you can get. but if it is a hatchling, you paper toweling. Otherwise you can decorate the tank to your liking. When they are young the need more insects then fruit and veggies, as they grow it will turn around and they will eat more produce. You should always sprinkle their food with a vitamin supplement. T-rex super food dragon dust is great for the veggies and bone aid on the bugs.

Hope that helps a bit.

Answer 4

Mealworms are not appropriate for a bearded dragon NEITHER is romain lettuce as it has almost no nutritional value. Calcium sand or ANY "reptile" sand is an absolute NO.

The ONLY acceptable sand is washed play sand you can purchase from home depot or lowe's.

Do NOT use compact or coil uvb bulbs as the uvb produced by those can actually harm your beardie. You need a Reptisun fluorescent tube preferably the 10.0

http://www.beardeddragon.org/

Please consider joining the forum where you will find breeders and educated beardie owners who can advise you on the proper care of a beardie and the hazards to avoid.