New Beardie Mom

[Edna'sNa]

Hello Everyone,
I recently adopted a Orphaned Beardie who for what I can gather was neglected. By doing some research on Bearded Dragons I am putting together the best environment for "her" believe..... I am unsure though if she is perhaps in Brumation or just trying to bounce back from the neglect. I just got a awesome tank for her that she can grow up in. I need help tho lots of help. Please... How old do you think she is and is there any concerns visually you can see.
TIA, Na
the last 2 pics I just took.

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

Hello Everyone,
I recently adopted a Orphaned Beardie who for what I can gather was neglected. By doing some research on Bearded Dragons I am putting together the best environment for "her" believe..... I am unsure though if she is perhaps in Brumation or just trying to bounce back from the neglect. I just got a awesome tank for her that she can grow up in. I need help tho lots of help. Please... How old do you think she is and is there any concerns visually you can see.
TIA,View attachment 26190View attachment 26191 Na
View attachment 26195View attachment 26196View attachment 26197the last 2 pics I just took.

She is not in brumation she is to hound to breumate. And how big is that enclusre a baby should need a 40 gallon or 36x18x18. And when they get o 12-15 months they need at least a 75 gallons or 48x20x18. But I recommend 120 gallon or 4x2x2. from the pictures she looks about 3-4 months but I can give you an exact age if you tell me how long she is from heart to end of tail. And how much does she weight. Have you tried taking her to a vet. you most likely should to she what the vet thinks

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

She is not in brumation she is to hound to breumate. And how big is that enclusre a baby should need a 40 gallon or 36x18x18. And when they get o 12-15 months they need at least a 75 gallons or 48x20x18. But I recommend 120 gallon or 4x2x2. from the pictures she looks about 3-4 months but I can give you an exact age if you tell me how long she is from heart to end of tail. And how much does she weight. Have you tried taking her to a vet. you most likely should to she what the vet thinks

Also please get a uvb 10.0 strip uvb bulb and a basking bulb and figure. They ablsoutly need these things to survive if you don’t get heat she will be dead within 2 weeks

 

[Skybug]

Welcome to the forum, if you can give us more information about how you’re careing for your baby thatd be very helpful, to go over your setup, first id get your bulbs in order, #1 coil bulbs are BAD they can hurt ur babies eyes, he NEEDS a tube uvb covering 70% of his tank(this needs to unobstructed aswel) id remove the dirt aswell (when hes a juvenile you can reintroduce it but babys should be kept sterile and you dont want anything that could impact him) put down paper bags or newspapers, what bugs is he getting? And how ofetn are u dusting? and if ur doin outside time, id tigh a string around him, if a bird scares him he will be gone so quickly, if you can offer him one of your clean shirts (rub it on your clean body to get ur scent on it) in his tank it’ll help him acclimate sooner if you have any questions please ask no matter how silly it may seem, it’s important to get ur care right from the beginning especially with a baby.

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

Welcome to the forum, if you can give us more information about how you’re careing for your baby thatd be very helpful, to go over your setup, first id get your bulbs in order, #1 coil bulbs are BAD they can hurt ur babies eyes, he NEEDS a tube uvb covering 70% of his tank(this needs to unobstructed aswel) id remove the dirt aswell (when hes a juvenile you can reintroduce it but babys should be kept sterile and you dont want anything that could impact him) put down paper bags or newspapers, what bugs is he getting? And how ofetn are u dusting? and if ur doin outside time, id tigh a string around him, if a bird scares him he will be gone so quickly, if you can offer him one of your clean shirts (rub it on your clean body to get ur scent on it) in his tank it’ll help him acclimate sooner if you have any questions please ask no matter how silly it may seem, it’s important to get ur care right from the beginning especially with a baby.

Yes please take this great advice.

 

[Dexter_Dragon]

Awww so awesome that you rescued. Definitely need the lights as soon as you can get them (UVB non coil - see Frank's dad's post and a basking light) as suggested. When I first got my guy I had a bulb that was too hot and discovered (with help from peeps here) that adjusting that one little thing made a world of difference. You might want to get a digital probe thermometer to make sure your basking temps are just right for her.

My guys basking temps sit between 102-105℉ depending on how cool my house is. The UV and basking lights are a necessity (temps are important) and will make her a happier beardie. There should be a cool side to her tank so she can cool down if she needs to, as well. I think once you get her lights set up you'll start to see a difference.

The substrate needs to be adjusted as Skybug suggested. Even something as simple as paper towels will do until you figure out which permanent substrate you want to use. Looks like the terra firma from what I can tell. I've never heard of anyone using this substrate for a beardie. Looks like it would retain moisture and raise her humidity too high. Don't know for sure as I've never seen it, but it looks like substrate for a frog or something that needs a more moist substrate.?.?

 

[Sadie]

The most important things in the tank are a UVB that is a long tube fixture like a Zoo Med sunblaster or Arcadia fixture w/ a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or Arcadia 12% desert bulb--- a bright white basking bulb that keeps temps 95 - 110 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- it is hard to tell age the neglect will stunt the growth- how long did the person have them and what was approximate age when they got them? Please get rid of the loose substrate- you can get some textured NON adhesive shelf liner-- cut to size of the tank clean w/ vinegar and water 50 50 solution

 

[Edna'sNa]

Thanks everyone for your input and advice. I'm going to attach some of the things that I've been using and the things I've purchased recently to get her set up like I said she was kind of just left at my house I didn't even think she was a bearded dragon to begin with. She is still in the tank that she was left in with a couple added things that I spruced up. I just purchased her a 60 gallon quarter cylinder tank I also purchased a leash wrapped a lounger I already have rep to calcium for my leopard geckos. I purchased a mercury vapor bulb that is 110 to 120 volt 150 w she came with an infrared spot bulb 50 watt and from the research I did I know that that wasn't going to shake it. I also got her the 10.0UVB 13 w compact bulb from Reptisun, until I could afford to get her bigger tank set up.
I have the cabinet liners to put down as her substrate for now I have a couple different hides. I got the new tank yesterday. I have been feeding her dubia beetles, mealworms, and crickets. It looks like she measures about 10 in Long, I know for a fact that the current owner had her in September of 2020. I already love her and look forward to making her a happy beardie, I just have no clue what I'm doing other than my two leopard geckos who I also took in and they are wonderful. Please see attached pictures TIA

 

[Edna'sNa]

CORRECTION!!!! Not her Current owner, her previous owner was what I meant.

 

[Sadie]

CORRECTION!!!! Not her Current owner, her previous owner was what I meant.

Please no colored bulbs and the Reptisun 13 watt is NO GOOD-- please get rid of- it is inadequate- your tank is good for gallon size but the shape no so good-- they really need floor space- and please get a digital probe thermometer - the mvb is what brand? They need to be certain distance and unobstructed!

 

[Skybug]

If you intend to use this tank try to give it two layers so you can utilize its verticallty , you can order what’s called “cork bark” you can use these to create ledges, bridges, hides, basking spots, its a light weight material and doesn’t mold, it comes in tubes half shell and sheets, definitely listen to sadie in regards to your lighting she knows whats up.

 

[BeardieLover<3]

If you intend to use this tank try to give it two layers so you can utilize its verticallty , you can order what’s called “cork bark” you can use these to create ledges, bridges, hides, basking spots, its a light weight material and doesn’t mold, it comes in tubes half shell and sheets, definitely listen to sadie in regards to your lighting she knows whats up.

Can i make a whole different floor with the bark? That she could crawl up to and the underneath would be the cold side. But an entire floor of cold instead

 

[BeardieLover<3]

Like this to make a floor?Amazon.com : Cork Bark Reptile Climbing Mat Habitat Decor Terrarium Decoration Background for Spider Lizard Chamelon Turtle : Pet Supplies

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

Thanks everyone for your input and advice. I'm going to attach some of the things that I've been using and the things I've purchased recently to get her set up like I said she was kind of just left at my house I didn't even think she was a bearded dragon to begin with. She is still in the tank that she was left in with a couple added things that I spruced up. I just purchased her a 60 gallon quarter cylinder tank I also purchased a leash wrapped a lounger I already have rep to calcium for my leopard geckos. I purchased a mercury vapor bulb that is 110 to 120 volt 150 w she came with an infrared spot bulb 50 watt and from the research I did I know that that wasn't going to shake it. I also got her the 10.0UVB 13 w compact bulb from Reptisun, until I could afford to get her bigger tank set up.
I have the cabinet liners to put down as her substrate for now I have a couple different hides. I got the new tank yesterday. I have been feeding her dubia beetles, mealworms, and crickets. It looks like she measures about 10 in Long, I know for a fact that the current owner had her in September of 2020. I already love her and look forward to making her a happy beardie, I just have no clue what I'm doing other than my two leopard geckos who I also took in and they are wonderful. Please see attached pictures TIAView attachment 26201View attachment 26202View attachment 26203View attachment 26205View attachment 26206View attachment 26207

I’d think temputure guns works through galss thanks for listening but still the ciol uvb or compared bulb is no good you need a strip uvb bulb

 

[Sadie]

I’d think temputure guns works through galss thanks for listening but still the ciol uvb or compared bulb is no good you need a strip uvb bulb

No IR guns do not work thru the glass -- distance should be taken approx 2-4 inches from the decor they use inside the tank --

 

[Edna'sNa]

Love all your guy's info but the I feel like Sad Sadie has their finger so far in my face with what I'm doing wrong it'll be a hard no for me... Thank you Sadie for your productive advice Funstoppo. I will take my business elsewhere Bad News Bear Thanks again.
The Beardie and I have a Condo to Build!

 

[Edna'sNa]

No IR guns do not work thru the glass -- distance should be taken approx 2-4 inches from the decor they use inside the tank --

Not only is she a Beardie Veteran but she knows a lot about IR technology... Quit raining on people's parade!

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

Not only is she a Beardie Veteran but she knows a lot about IR technology... Quit raining on people's parade!

Ima beards veteran and that also what I said

 

[Skybug]

Like this to make a floor?Amazon.com : Cork Bark Reptile Climbing Mat Habitat Decor Terrarium Decoration Background for Spider Lizard Chamelon Turtle : Pet Supplies

Exactly like that I used two of those kinds of pieces as more of a wall in my beardies tank trying to hide the glass , order larger than what you think you need, they’re super easy to cut with a razorblade (be careful) they’re sturdy enough for an adult bearded dragon so you should be able to make all kinds of things what you need if poop gets on em just add water and a toothbrush and it should come off super easy.

 

[Frank the baby beardry]

Also if she is ten inches then she is about

Exactly like that I used two of those kinds of pieces as more of a wall in my beardies tank trying to hide the glass , order larger than what you think you need, they’re super easy to cut with a razorblade (be careful) they’re sturdy enough for an adult bearded dragon so you should be able to make all kinds of things what you need if poop gets on em just add water and a toothbrush and it should come off super easy.

great advice. I think Im going to do this tile to