Beginner BD owner

[Jburlynn]

Hi guys!

Im hoping to get all the best tips and tricks in keeping a happy and healthy bearded dragon!

I got my bearded dragon back in June and he was approx 3 weeks old at the time. Fast forward and he’s about 4 months now. He’s gotten quite big and I’ve updated is terrarium from a 20 gallon to a 40 gallon and when upgrade him again to 60 when he gets a little bigger.

i am an Inexperience bearded dragon owner. However, I have done everything I could to keep him happy.

my only concern with him at the moment is that he refuses to eat unless I hand feed him and he also refuses to eat any greens. I also sprinkle his food with calcium before serving him. So I need a little help as to what I should feed him and how much since he’s a little bit bigger than when I got him. His current diet is Dubai’s, hornworms and meal worms. I used to feed him crickets but somehow would always miss a cricket and too scared they’ll bite at him.

In his terrarium he has a basking lamp at 100W, a UVB light, and at night a 45W ceramic heater. So hopefully I did this part right, if not I would appreciate suggestions.

last concern about him, he doesn’t like me much. He’s very curious about me but runs away from when I try to pick him or wiggles away from me when he’s being held for too long. What could I do for him to like me more??

and lastly, he occasionally presses up against the glass like he wants to get out. I’ve heard this means they’re stressed. .. if I could get any advice to make him happier or even healthier I would appreciate all the feed back ! Thank you

also his name is mordecai or Morty for short !
(I don’t know the sex of my beardie but was told he was a male. I’m not too sure if the guy who sold him to me knew since he was only 3 weeks old)

 

[Jburlynn]

Sorry for all the grammatical errors haha I typed like I was texting.

 

[Jrodkw]

Hi guys!

Im hoping to get all the best tips and tricks in keeping a happy and healthy bearded dragon!

I got my bearded dragon back in June and he was approx 3 weeks old at the time. Fast forward and he’s about 4 months now. He’s gotten quite big and I’ve updated is terrarium from a 20 gallon to a 40 gallon and when upgrade him again to 60 when he gets a little bigger.

i am an Inexperience bearded dragon owner. However, I have done everything I could to keep him happy.

my only concern with him at the moment is that he refuses to eat unless I hand feed him and he also refuses to eat any greens. I also sprinkle his food with calcium before serving him. So I need a little help as to what I should feed him and how much since he’s a little bit bigger than when I got him. His current diet is Dubai’s, hornworms and meal worms. I used to feed him crickets but somehow would always miss a cricket and too scared they’ll bite at him.

In his terrarium he has a basking lamp at 100W, a UVB light, and at night a 45W ceramic heater. So hopefully I did this part right, if not I would appreciate suggestions.

last concern about him, he doesn’t like me much. He’s very curious about me but runs away from when I try to pick him or wiggles away from me when he’s being held for too long. What could I do for him to like me more??

and lastly, he occasionally presses up against the glass like he wants to get out. I’ve heard this means they’re stressed. .. if I could get any advice to make him happier or even healthier I would appreciate all the feed back ! Thank you

also his name is mordecai or Morty for short !
(I don’t know the sex of my beardie but was told he was a male. I’m not too sure if the guy who sold him to me knew since he was only 3 weeks old)

He's looking good. As far as hand feeding...try to limit it. Even if you have to take him out of his cage to feed him. That's what I did with mine. Tank looks good. If it doesn't get any colder than 65 degrees at night I wouldn't bother with the ceramic heater though.
Keep trying to handle him for short times here and there. Pressing up against the glass doesn't always mean stress. It could be he's either hungry, wants out to roam around. Mine is over a year old now and still does that once in a while.

 

[Jburlynn]

He's looking good. As far as hand feeding...try to limit it. Even if you have to take him out of his cage to feed him. That's what I did with mine. Tank looks good. If it doesn't get any colder than 65 degrees at night I wouldn't bother with the ceramic heater though.
Keep trying to handle him for short times here and there. Pressing up against the glass doesn't always mean stress. It could be he's either hungry, wants out to roam around. Mine is over a year old now and still does that once in a while.

 

[Jburlynn]

Dope! Thanks for the reply! And I’ll definitely try that! I take him out but not as often as I’d like to because I know he doesn’t like it. But I’ll start handling him more and taking him out of his terrarium to explore more!

as for feeding? How much should a 4/5 month old should be eating? And is it ok that he won’t eat greens?

 

[Sadie]

Hi guys!

Im hoping to get all the best tips and tricks in keeping a happy and healthy bearded dragon!

I got my bearded dragon back in June and he was approx 3 weeks old at the time. Fast forward and he’s about 4 months now. He’s gotten quite big and I’ve updated is terrarium from a 20 gallon to a 40 gallon and when upgrade him again to 60 when he gets a little bigger.

i am an Inexperience bearded dragon owner. However, I have done everything I could to keep him happy.

my only concern with him at the moment is that he refuses to eat unless I hand feed him and he also refuses to eat any greens. I also sprinkle his food with calcium before serving him. So I need a little help as to what I should feed him and how much since he’s a little bit bigger than when I got him. His current diet is Dubai’s, hornworms and meal worms. I used to feed him crickets but somehow would always miss a cricket and too scared they’ll bite at him.

In his terrarium he has a basking lamp at 100W, a UVB light, and at night a 45W ceramic heater. So hopefully I did this part right, if not I would appreciate suggestions.

last concern about him, he doesn’t like me much. He’s very curious about me but runs away from when I try to pick him or wiggles away from me when he’s being held for too long. What could I do for him to like me more??

and lastly, he occasionally presses up against the glass like he wants to get out. I’ve heard this means they’re stressed. .. if I could get any advice to make him happier or even healthier I would appreciate all the feed back ! Thank you

also his name is mordecai or Morty for short !
(I don’t know the sex of my beardie but was told he was a male. I’m not too sure if the guy who sold him to me knew since he was only 3 weeks old)

Please go over the lighting that is the most important thing in the tank and will effect the eating along w/ basking temps --- UVB brand and bulb? If your using a coil please get rid of it ASAP - you want a 24" fixture like a Zoo Med Sunblaster or Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ either a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or Arcadia 12% bulb --- these UVB' s have cetain distance and placement -- I would recommend you skip the 60 gallon tank and get either a 75 or 120 gallon w/ front doors --- they are the most recommended for tanks for a adult dragon -- please start dusting his insects not the food - hes going to eat those insects so you know hes getting the supplements he needs -- please NO more meal worms - get some BSFL www.symtonbsf.com large and use those as salads lures to the bowl DO NOT dust them but you first need to get the UVB replaced w/ what I posted that is priority as it will control the over all health and behavior of the dragon -- if you have any questions about anything please ask
www.pangeareptiles.com
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
I am not sure how old he is but if hes 5-6 months post a pic of the butt facing the camera on a flat surface like a kitchen table w/ tail in the air

 

[Jburlynn]

Please go over the lighting that is the most important thing in the tank and will effect the eating along w/ basking temps --- UVB brand and bulb? If your using a coil please get rid of it ASAP - you want a 24" fixture like a Zoo Med Sunblaster or Arcadia Pro T 5 w/ either a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or Arcadia 12% bulb --- these UVB' s have cetain distance and placement -- I would recommend you skip the 60 gallon tank and get either a 75 or 120 gallon w/ front doors --- they are the most recommended for tanks for a adult dragon -- please start dusting his insects not the food - hes going to eat those insects so you know hes getting the supplements he needs -- please NO more meal worms - get some BSFL www.symtonbsf.com large and use those as salads lures to the bowl DO NOT dust them but you first need to get the UVB replaced w/ what I posted that is priority as it will control the over all health and behavior of the dragon -- if you have any questions about anything please ask
www.pangeareptiles.com
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
I am not sure how old he is but if hes 5-6 months post a pic of the butt facing the camera on a flat surface like a kitchen table w/ tail in the air

Thank you for responding! I’m not too sure about his lighting. I did buy the UBV light from a reptile store and that’s the one they recommend and I bought it as suggested! Thank you for the link and tips I’ll definitely look into it !

 

[Skybug]

I wouldn’t trust pets shops recommendations they just want to sell u crap , i posted some pics of stuff we/i use , i have the zoomed fixture for uvb, but the arcadia is good to, i think his reflection might be stressing him, put up some backgrounds inside the enclosure, and wherever he sleeps put a cloth in there with ur scent on it, it’ll help him acclimate better to you and sometimes you jus gotta force handling, you DO NOT want him growing up thinking hes the boss, they’re smarter than people think, get him started in nail trimmings too, it’ll be easier to handle him if you deweapon him lol.

 

[Mac32109]

Sorry for all the grammatical errors haha I typed like I was texting.

its absolutely fine dude, I have messy typing and writing as well.

 

[Mac32109]

Hi guys!

Im hoping to get all the best tips and tricks in keeping a happy and healthy bearded dragon!

I got my bearded dragon back in June and he was approx 3 weeks old at the time. Fast forward and he’s about 4 months now. He’s gotten quite big and I’ve updated is terrarium from a 20 gallon to a 40 gallon and when upgrade him again to 60 when he gets a little bigger.

i am an Inexperience bearded dragon owner. However, I have done everything I could to keep him happy.

my only concern with him at the moment is that he refuses to eat unless I hand feed him and he also refuses to eat any greens. I also sprinkle his food with calcium before serving him. So I need a little help as to what I should feed him and how much since he’s a little bit bigger than when I got him. His current diet is Dubai’s, hornworms and meal worms. I used to feed him crickets but somehow would always miss a cricket and too scared they’ll bite at him.

In his terrarium he has a basking lamp at 100W, a UVB light, and at night a 45W ceramic heater. So hopefully I did this part right, if not I would appreciate suggestions.

last concern about him, he doesn’t like me much. He’s very curious about me but runs away from when I try to pick him or wiggles away from me when he’s being held for too long. What could I do for him to like me more??

and lastly, he occasionally presses up against the glass like he wants to get out. I’ve heard this means they’re stressed. .. if I could get any advice to make him happier or even healthier I would appreciate all the feed back ! Thank you

also his name is mordecai or Morty for short !
(I don’t know the sex of my beardie but was told he was a male. I’m not too sure if the guy who sold him to me knew since he was only 3 weeks old)

also in regards sexing a bearded dragon, you can try now by looking in between it back legs, that is where the privates are. if you see two bulges, that's a male, if you see one bulge, that's a female. best way to remember difference between male and female bearded dragons in regards to that area:most female animals(even humans as humans are scientifically considered animals) have just the one big organ, the male sexual organs vary per creature. typically reptiles have 2 bulges if male

 

[Jburlynn]

also in regards sexing a bearded dragon, you can try now by looking in between it back legs, that is where the privates are. if you see two bulges, that's a male, if you see one bulge, that's a female. best way to remember difference between male and female bearded dragons in regards to that area:most female animals(even humans as humans are scientifically considered animals) have just the one big organ, the male sexual organs vary per creature. typically reptiles have 2 bulges if male

Thank you for the update! I’ll definitely check tomorrow to see what sex my beardie is !!

 

[Jburlynn]

I wouldn’t trust pets shops recommendations they just want to sell u crap , i posted some pics of stuff we/i use , i have the zoomed fixture for uvb, but the arcadia is good to, i think his reflection might be stressing him, put up some backgrounds inside the enclosure, and wherever he sleeps put a cloth in there with ur scent on it, it’ll help him acclimate better to you and sometimes you jus gotta force handling, you DO NOT want him growing up thinking hes the boss, they’re smarter than people think, get him started in nail trimmings too, it’ll be easier to handle him if you deweapon him lol.

Thank you!! I’ll definitely be purchasing what you recommended and I didn’t even know beardies needed nail trims!

 

[Sadie]

Thank you!! I’ll definitely be purchasing what you recommended and I didn’t even know beardies needed nail trims!

You can google tail trimming on bearded dragons and also get a piece of textured slated ceramic tile one or two pieces in the tank will keep the nails down -- when you get the UVB please post back on here so I can help you get it placed correctly in the tank --- they have certain distance and placement for certain bulbs - I will need to know what you have gotten please

 

[Krystal0]

Lov the 1 n you no begginer

 

[Jprice21]

Thank you!! I’ll definitely be purchasing what you recommended and I didn’t even know beardies needed nail trims!

 

[Jprice21]

And hey I recommend using a reptile carpet for any size tank if you use sand especially for any bearded dragons under a year it could cause impaction which is basically constipation

 

[Jrodkw]

And hey I recommend using a reptile carpet for any size tank if you use sand especially for any bearded dragons under a year it could cause impaction which is basically constipation

+1 here. Reptile carpet is one of the best for bearded dragons. Fairly easy to clean, doesn't need to be replaced for a couple years as long as you keep up with maintenance.

 

[Bailey]

Hand feed him and just keep working with him. Go on his terms so you don't stress him out too bad!

I found food is the key to their hearts mainly lol

 

[Jrodkw]

Hand feed him and just keep working with him. Go on his terms so you don't stress him out too bad!

I found food is the key to their hearts mainly lol

Just like Dogs for the most part lol