New bearded dragon owner

[SunnyDragon]

Hello,
So I’m getting my first dragon Friday. He’s 3 years old. His name is sunny. I just wanted to know the best way to get him introduced to his new surroundings and how long I should wait until handling him or bothering him. Is there gonna be a timeframe where he won’t eat because he is in a new environment. in general to getting a bearded dragon home. I am coming from the chameleon world lol and they are night and day and how to handle care, etc. literally going from the tropics to the desert. He is coming with a huge tank and all the accessories. They have had him from a baby till now. I’m adopting him. Here’s a pic of his tank and him.
I’m hoping this forum is as welcoming and just all around amazing as the chameleon one is. They were really great over there and someday I will get back in the chameleons.

 

[Sadie]

Hello,
So I’m getting my first dragon Friday. He’s 3 years old. His name is sunny. I just wanted to know the best way to get him introduced to his new surroundings and how long I should wait until handling him or bothering him. Is there gonna be a timeframe where he won’t eat because he is in a new environment. in general to getting a bearded dragon home. I am coming from the chameleon world lol and they are night and day and how to handle care, etc. literally going from the tropics to the desert. He is coming with a huge tank and all the accessories. They have had him from a baby till now. I’m adopting him. Here’s a pic of his tank and him.
I’m hoping this forum is as welcoming and just all around amazing as the chameleon one is. They were really great over there and someday I will get back in the chameleons.

Welcome to the forum- first I would get some digital probe thermometers I see stick ons only - Zoo Med makes them and they are the most accurate-you want surface basking temps 95-100-ambient temp on the hot side around 100 and cool side 80ish during the day -- night time temps should be 65-75 ambient- next UVB -- I cant see any of the lighting - what is he coming w/ and how old is the UVB -- these things I am posting about are crucial for his health -- the people your getting him from look like they have taken care of him pretty good but we want to make sure everything is on par -- next I would replace the reptile carpet w/ some textured NON adhesive shelf liner or I was going to suggest a black mat from Zen Habitats but I am not sure they make a bigger mat than the 4x2x2 mats they sale now -- his tank looks really big-- as far as him eating he will probably go thru relocation stress and get stress marks from the move -- so the eating may slow down but he should not quit eating all together if he does there is something else going on -- did they say he brumates? I would let him adjust to his tank and new surroundings before getting him out -- give him time to adjust maybe a week or 2 - his eating will tell you if hes adjusted -- please ask if you need more info -- I will help you out as much as I can --

 

[SunnyDragon]

Welcome to the forum- first I would get some digital probe thermometers I see stick ons only - Zoo Med makes them and they are the most accurate-you want surface basking temps 95-100-ambient temp on the hot side around 100 and cool side 80ish during the day -- night time temps should be 65-75 ambient- next UVB -- I cant see any of the lighting - what is he coming w/ and how old is the UVB -- these things I am posting about are crucial for his health -- the people your getting him from look like they have taken care of him pretty good but we want to make sure everything is on par -- next I would replace the reptile carpet w/ some textured NON adhesive shelf liner or I was going to suggest a black mat from Zen Habitats but I am not sure they make a bigger mat than the 4x2x2 mats they sale now -- his tank looks really big-- as far as him eating he will probably go thru relocation stress and get stress marks from the move -- so the eating may slow down but he should not quit eating all together if he does there is something else going on -- did they say he brumates? I would let him adjust to his tank and new surroundings before getting him out -- give him time to adjust maybe a week or 2 - his eating will tell you if hes adjusted -- please ask if you need more info -- I will help you out as much as I can --

I have a digital probe therm from my chameleon set up. The bulbs were recently changed. They have everyhting he needs. He’s been with them for 3 years. He’s very big happy boy. I know the owners they are my besties parents lol they don’t have time for him and feel bad he doesn’t get out like he use too. They knew my chameleon I rescued passed due to health issues he had before I got him and thought me and my kids would a great fit since he’s use to be hadled by their grand babies. So I’m confident with his set up. But I will change the mats out I personally hate the green stuff.
They didn’t do sand cause he can eat it by accident or something so I was curious what could go on there instead. I do have extra heat lamps and uvb bulbs from my chameleon as well.
I wanted to put some plants in there. Heard herbs can go in there when I looked up the plant safe for him.
Now what are stress marks?
Also bowl of water or mist? Heard a bowl can cause humidity to rise and cause upper respiratory infection.
Also seen people bathe them? What’s that about?

 

[Sadie]

I have a digital probe therm from my chameleon set up. The bulbs were recently changed. They have everyhting he needs. He’s been with them for 3 years. He’s very big happy boy. I know the owners they are my besties parents lol they don’t have time for him and feel bad he doesn’t get out like he use too. They knew my chameleon I rescued passed due to health issues he had before I got him and thought me and my kids would a great fit since he’s use to be hadled by their grand babies. So I’m confident with his set up. But I will change the mats out I personally hate the green stuff.
They didn’t do sand cause he can eat it by accident or something so I was curious what could go on there instead. I do have extra heat lamps and uvb bulbs from my chameleon as well.
I wanted to put some plants in there. Heard herbs can go in there when I looked up the plant safe for him.
Now what are stress marks?
Also bowl of water or mist? Heard a bowl can cause humidity to rise and cause upper respiratory infection.
Also seen people bathe them? What’s that about?

The UVB is what brand and bulb and where it it placed for the tank? Screens block 30% of UVB rays so you want proper placement and distance for that bulb-- and they do expire --- yes sand can cause impaction so its not recommended that it is used - cut the shelf liner to the size of the tank and clean w/ vinegar/ water 50-50-- stress marks are lines running down the belly babies have them really bad at first but they disappear after the dragon has adjusted to his tank -- unless the dragon is actually drinking from the bowl its not recommended they be put in the tank - and yes too low of humidity can cause RI --you want humidity levels of 40-50% optimal - nothing under 20 or over 70% - digital probe hygrometers are best placed on the back center wall of the tank -- Exo Terra sells them -- dragons dont need bathing unless that is the only way to get them to drink water or if they have pooped themselves -- I use a salad plate - place the dragon on the plate feet first and spray the head so the water drips down the nose on to the plate and the water movement catches the eye and they will start drinking off the plate - prevents them from aspirating - if you have any more questions please ask

 

[Sadie]

At the bottom of this website there are plants listed that are safe -- the kale on the nutrition list is a good staple so ignore what its telling you it has found to be a good staple feeder
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html