New Beardie mom! Help

[Tammy Canuti]

I'm from southern tier ny,by pa border. My new beardie Lou is 11 1/2 in . He loves crickets but I have to read one at a time. I also can not get his basking over 95 to 100.he's in a 20gallon long.petstore said he was 7 months

 

[Hdrydr31]

Welcome to the forum! And congratulations on Lou! We love pictures of our scaly friends and also pictures of your enclosure so we can help better..I don't know what your background is in dragons so here's basic's:

At first read: A 20L is going to be too small for him the min I would do is a 40g keeping in mind that they really need length more than height.. Once adult they can get up to 24" long with males they can be a bit bigger. Also dragons thermo regulate their bodies so having a basking spot 100-110F (adults can be a bit lower) A warm spot that's UVB 85-95F then you go to the cool side 65-75F with ideal about 70F as they will sleep on the cool side. From the UVB to the cool side should get UVB lighting. So they will go where they need to be to be comfortable. They need the heat to digest, they need the UVB to absorb the nutrients they take in as well as the vit's they need. Here is a good lighting link: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Health/Habitats-Care/Reptile-Lighting-Information/

There are lots of options on the insect part of his diet, Crickets, dubia roaches, superworms, butterworms, waxworms, silkworms, hornworms are all good, some are treats as they are high in fats... and lots of options for the veg/fruit/greens part which will be for most the main diet once adult..Here are some links:
http://greathousefarm.com/Greathouse-Reptile-Nutrition-List.pdf
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

What kind of substrate are you using? Here are some safe options: (some pet stores keep them on sand which can cause impaction issues) repti carpet, paper towels, contact paper, ceramic tile are safe. Any kind of soil, wood, mulch, bark especially cedar which is very toxic are not suitable for dragons due to ingestion, they can cause impaction, skin lesions, respiratory infections, eye irritations

So as soon as your able upgrading is best.
I hope this helps and there is just soo much to learn about these critters but this will give you a good start if your new to them

 

[Tammy Canuti]

He is on carpet and newspaper . I will be upgrading his tank. He is 11 1/2 inches. About how old . I was told he was 7 months

 

[Hdrydr31]

He is on carpet and newspaper . I will be upgrading his tank. He is 11 1/2 inches. About how old . I was told he was 7 months

• Length (Inches)Age (Months) approx**

• 3-4 in.0-1 months

• 5-9 in.2 months

• 8-11 in.3 months

• 9-12 in.4 months

• 11-16 in.5 months

• 11-18 in.6 months

• 13-20 in.8 months

• 16-22 in.12 months

Source: http://www.thebeardeddragon.org/bearded-dragon.php

 

[Tammy Canuti]

Thank you. He was in a small tank with another beardie so maybe he is just small

 

[Hdrydr31]

Thank you. He was in a small tank with another beardie so maybe he is just small

He may have a big growth phase if that's the case and now he's getting good food and some great TLC watch out

 

[Tammy Canuti]

I hope so. I am just trying to do everything right

 

[Hdrydr31]

I hope so. I am just trying to do everything right

Yea he looks young, kuddo's for giving him the life he deserves, soon he will be well on his way growing away!

 

[Tammy Canuti]

Thanks! He ate very well before lights out at 7 pm

 

[Hdrydr31]

Thanks! He ate very well before lights out at 7 pm

Just make sure you keep in mind that they need heat for digestion so their last meal of the day should be 1-2 hours prior to their lights out time.. So the food isn't sitting in their belly "rotting" for lack of better words..

 

[Tammy Canuti]

It was at 5 so he's good thanks

 

[PatsyB]

He could be a late bloomer. My boy has always been on the short side and he just turned 2 and he's gone through this huge growth spurt the past few weeks. I haven't measured him but he is def bigger.

A bigger tank is also better because you can get a better temperature gradient between the hot and cool side. Also make sure he has places to hide to get away from the light when he wants too.

 

[Tammy Canuti]

Thanks