Newbie dragon basics

[wayneg77]

Hi all I'm new to bearded dragons I've had a Chinese cave gecko a few ago but that's it, I've just aquired a 2 year old dragon with a 4 ft viv basking light etc and was wondering what the best light cycle would be how many hrs etc got timers so that's not a problem also any more tips for keeping dragons would be grateful

 

[Hdrydr31]

Welcome to the forum!! Happy to hear you have taken in a beardie!! You can click on the link below my signature line it will take you to a thread we are building..
Timers are the best thing to do so the lighting comes on regularly to mimic typically on for 10-14 hours then off and no lights of any kind at night..
We love pictures!!

 

[wayneg77]

 

[wayneg77]

Few pic of him and his setup

 

[wayneg77]

Does anyone know what type of beardie he his

 

[PatsyB]

He looks like a normal dragon with maybe some citrus. Are all his nails clear? If so then he is a hypo, meaning he is "lacking" in black pigment. What looks like black is actually more of a blue/lavender/grey.

I'm sure you've been told about sand or read about sand. I'm not totally against it and if you want to keep him on sand, children's washed play sand is the best. It's non toxic and it's not colored so his feet and body won't get stained. Make sure he stays well hydrated. They like to lick everything in their tank and you don't want him becoming impacted by sand. Other downfalls of sand are the bacteria that it harbors even after you clean the poop out, there is still going to be some that stays behind. Sand can also get into their eyes and cause eye problems and let's not forget all the sand you are going to have around your house and on you when you take him out for play time

 

[wayneg77]

I only got him last night and he came with the sand I'm gonna change it to reptile carpet I think mainly because reasons stated but also it gets into the runners and makes a racket when sliding the viv doors open and closed

 

[PatsyB]

I use repti-carpet and non stick shelf liner. The shelf liner is for my two that poop in their tank because it's easy to wipe up!

 

[Valiant]

I like the platforms. Going to show those to hubby to see if he can make some like that for me.

 

[Hdrydr31]

I only got him last night and he came with the sand I'm gonna change it to reptile carpet I think mainly because reasons stated but also it gets into the runners and makes a racket when sliding the viv doors open and closed

love the enclosure and glad you are going to change it out with repti carpet. The platforms are really nice and your dragon looks pretty happy.. welcome to the forum!!

 

[wayneg77]

He looks like a normal dragon with maybe some citrus. Are all his nails clear? If so then he is a hypo, meaning he is "lacking" in black pigment. What looks like black is actually more of a blue/lavender/grey.

I'm sure you've been told about sand or read about sand. I'm not totally against it and if you want to keep him on sand, children's washed play sand is the best. It's non toxic and it's not colored so his feet and body won't get stained. Make sure he stays well hydrated. They like to lick everything in their tank and you don't want him becoming impacted by sand. Other downfalls of sand are the bacteria that it harbors even after you clean the poop out, there is still going to be some that stays behind. Sand can also get into their eyes and cause eye problems and let's not forget all the sand you are going to have around your house and on you when you take him out for play time

No his nails arnt clear so he's a normal dragon lol gonna have a look online for some reptile carpet and shelf lining I've already got some shelf lining in looks a bit like sandpaper another question my beardie sleeps on the warm side all night long in a corner is this normal behaviour the temp of the warm side it 35 will attach a pic

 

[wayneg77]

This is a better pic with the flash on

 

[Hdrydr31]

Typically they like to sleep on the cool side and that can come down into the 70F as long as it's not below 65F all is good.. Lately mine will sleep for extended times in her warm hide..

 

[PatsyB]

Mine sleep wherever they are when the lights go out for the night LOL!

 

[wayneg77]

Does any know what reptoboost is and do you use it ? I've got some that came with my beardie it says add to drinking water but I've not seen my beardie drink from his bowl he just walks through it lol is it worth trying it or is it pointless

 

[PatsyB]

Does any know what reptoboost is and do you use it ? I've got some that came with my beardie it says add to drinking water but I've not seen my beardie drink from his bowl he just walks through it lol is it worth trying it or is it pointless

Reptiboost is a natural product that is really safe to use. I used it when I first brought Luci home from the pet store. I thought he had RI and I just wanted to bump up his immune system. It's supposed to help stimulate appetite and give some energy. I believe I just mixed it and put it in the syringe and he ate it out of the syringe. You could try dripping it on the tip of the nose to see if they will lick it off or maybe put it on a piece of greens.

 

[wayneg77]

Rex is so strange he's been sat with a hopper on his head for the last 20 mins lol he nearly fell asleep at one point

 

[Hdrydr31]

It's a dragon vs hopper stare down lol
I don't know much about hoppers but you may want to be careful that they don't nibble on him

Great picture

 

[wayneg77]

He decided to eat it eventually hoppers don't tend to nibble crickets are the critters that do that I never leave live food in overnight just in case

 

[Hdrydr31]

He decided to eat it eventually hoppers don't tend to nibble crickets are the critters that do that I never leave live food in overnight just in case

Whenever a dubia gets on my Izzy's head she closes her eyes and does a funny head twitch to get it to get off her