I want to get all my questions out before I buy

[kic90army]

Hi y'all. I've fallen in love with bearded dragons and spend way too much time at the pet store every week enjoying them. I'm finally ready to get my own so this is my plan.
I have found a beautiful red bearded dragon on atomiclizzardranch.com that I'm waiting to hear back about shes 5 1/2 inches and a few months old. I have someone giving me a 30 gallon tank this weekend. (I know she'll need to upgrade but this is where we're gonna start). I am going to get reptile carpet for the bottom of the cage and some stick on background to stick on the back of the cage. Obviously she'll need a basking branch, heat & lighting, food & water bowls, etc. So how does my plan sound so far?

I also have a few questions about feeding:
how many crickets a day should I offer a baby this size? (5 1/2 ") What size crickets? and how do I know when to get a large size cricket or up the amount I feed her as she grows?

thanks in advance y'all!

 

[Ron G]

Congrats on getting your new Bearded Dragon. Couple of things: I cover three sides of the cage with white paper towel and only let mine see out of one side. This makes him feel safer in his cage. I also do not put in a water bowl. He should get enough water from his food, misting and baths. You will get plenty of info on feeding crickets but just wanted to say not to leave them in the cage after feeding. This is especially true at night because they will bother and bite your Bearded Dragon while sleeping. You will find out that Bearded Dragons are really sound sleepers. Mine is almost a year old now and I still am constantly researching and going into forums like this to get information.

 

[ravenwolf]

hello welcome to the forum, Ron's given you some great advice there so I can't add much else.

I would say that I feed my dragons outwith the vivarium, but thats just what works for me and you will find your own way of doing things. It just means I know theres none hiding in the viv at night and i can see what they are eating

Enjoy your new addition and don't forget to share pics

 

[Germ]

A few good links to help get you started ...

Basic BD Care Sheet - A Place To Start

Bearded Dragon --- Exclusive Care Info Library

Beautiful Dragons Nutrition Chart

UVB Setup

Is Bearded Dragon Co-habitation a good plan?

How To Sex A Bearded Dragon

 

[Augie]

Welcome to the forums! Good for you for doing your research now, because dragons have very specific needs! Read up on those links and feel free to ask any questions you have.

 

[thorn]

Welcome! All I can think to add is this. Look at your dragon from directly above its head. You ca. Feed it any size feeders that can fit safely between its eyes. You need to feed babies several times a day. From what I'm told you kinda just let them eat for like 10 min and what ever is left over is to be taken out. So start out with like 20 small crickets and if he quickly eats all of them then put in 20 more. And please don't forget to dust her food with Vitamins and calcium with D3

 

[Psychoticchaos]

I always hand feed Alduin (all-do-in) and I offer him as much as he will take.

 

[Ron G]

I really like it when my Bearded Dragon trusts me to take food from my hand.

 

[Psychoticchaos]

I really like it when my Bearded Dragon trusts me to take food from my hand.

So do I, It seems to have helped us bond.
That may help you bond with your new girl as well kic90

 

[kic90army]

Thanks y'all! She'll be here Wednesday morning

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