New to the dragon world

[Gerald Smith]

Hi all! I just got a beardie yesterday. This is the first one I’ve ever owned and I’m just looking to connect with a community. So here’s my dragon. Has not been named yet.

 

[JumpinJellyfish]

Super cute! Be careful with food sizes - try to keep pieces (including bugs) no bigger than the space between his eyes. And welcome!

 

[Gerald Smith]

Thanks a lot! I’ll keep that in mind. Do you know if it is bad to disturb the after dark? I mean I have his lights on a 10hr timer (but I read that summer months it should be closer to 12-14hrs so I may bump it up) will it bother it too much to take it out of the cage and hang out with it? Or does it prefer to just go to sleep or something?

 

[JumpinJellyfish]

If you mean after the tank lights are out as opposed to after dark outside, I would think they'd prefer to sleep. But yes, change the lights on timing to at least 12 on (or 14 is good for spring/summer), and you'll have a better chance of hangout time during the dragon's "day". I have mine set to go on about 30 minutes before I leave for work, so I can place clean water and salad, and BSFL in the tank in the morning, and they're on for about 14 hrs (really 14.5 overall) so I can feed him crickets at least 2 hours (usually about 4 hrs) before lights out, or preferably roaches (when I can get them - I'm in Florida so many kinds like Dubia are not options, and discoids (which are legal) have been hard to get). That also gives me time to visit with him, weigh him, offer warm bath, etc.

 

[Smitty]

Thanks a lot! I’ll keep that in mind. Do you know if it is bad to disturb the after dark? I mean I have his lights on a 10hr timer (but I read that summer months it should be closer to 12-14hrs so I may bump it up) will it bother it too much to take it out of the cage and hang out with it? Or does it prefer to just go to sleep or something?

I have lights on timer as well, lights out now around 9:30 pm and back on at 8:00. once lights are out I usually don't bother with him, he usually falls asleep right after they go and and he sleeps pretty sound.

 

[Gerald Smith]

Thanks to both of you! I have adjusted the timer so that I’ll have time in the afternoon to interact with him before his bedtime! Thanks!

 

[Smitty]

no worries, I am all new to this as well.
Just sharing what seems to be working for me
Mine is already 3 years old but I only got him a short time ago, I rescued him from someone who didn't want him anymore

 

[Jacob melanistic]

welcome! remember to mist daily and email me if you have questions or problems!