Newbie in need of help

[Autumnly]

Hi y'all! I'm a first time beardie mom and feeling very insecure. We got our little guy four days ago from Petsmart. He (or she!) is 6 inches long, so I'm guessing 1-2 months old? He was very active and curious when we picked him out.

We set up the terrarium beforehand (40 gallon, reptile carpet, mesh top, UVB light and 100 W basking light, rocks and branches from our yard). I need to get a better thermometer, but I'm fairly certain the basking area is not hot enough, especially for such a young beardie. The analog thermometer that came with the kit sits within an inch of the basking spot
shows 92 degrees. I tried to use a probe thermometer I already have, but in order to get the probe in, I have to take the lights off to open the top, which I'm sure makes the temperature drop!

He's been much more lethargic since we brought him home, which is another reason I'm worried, but I don't know what's normal. How much activity should there be at this age?

He is eating about 7-8 small crickets per day. He hasn't touched the greens as far as I can tell (tiny pieces of cabbage and asparagus). We have bathed him twice, for just a few minutes. He's defecated twice, about he size of a pea each time.

In the long term, I think we need a better terrarium, with a front entrance instead of having to move the lights every time we want to open it, and better lighting. But we just spent about $300 on what we have, all told, and I need a short term solution. Any ideas on increasing the warmth? Would we do better to put a rock near the bulb instead of a branch since it will hold heat? How close can we put it to the bulb before it's not safe for the beardie?

Another random question: the crickets keep getting under the reptile carpet. This makes it hard for him to find them, and hard for me to know if he's eaten them all. Any solutions?

 

[Canicke]

welcome. we'll try to get you sorted out. can you post a photo of the tank? you can use a rock from your yard to help increase heat retention under the basking light. I would like to caution you against using materials from your yard - they can harbor bugs and bacteria which are not friendly to your new kid. soak the rocks in bleach solution. rinse. then rinse again. then rinse again. get rid of the bleach. bake the branches. 200 deg for half an hour at least. don't burn the house down. 7-8 crickets daily seems like not a lot. I think little guys generally eat more. don't worry so much about the greens - he probably wont start eating those for several months. offer them daily - he might just take a liking to em ! heat - a higher watt bulb. ya don't want to let your kid get too close - im thinkin 6 inches - so he doesn't get burned. lighting is not one of my fortes. crickets under carpet : feed your beardie in a separate container. beardies usually go through a "relocation" stress - you've taken him out of the home he's used to and put him in a new home. it will take him some time to get used to the new digs. do you have a "hide" for him? how about the environment around him? dogs? cats? loud music? lots of kids / activity? it's a learning process - we've all done it. sigh.

click on the links below this post for some super info for newbies put together by a couple of our members - GOOD STUFF!! hang in there ---

 

[Autumnly]

Thank you! I'll post a picture after I get home--I was hoping to be able to stop on my way home to pick up anything I might need to get him sorted out as soon as possible, and don't have a picture already taken. This is it, though: http://www.petsmart.com/reptile/sup...ngs-desert-kit-reptile-27754.html?cgid=500028. I'm now reading customer complaints about the basking light not being hot enough. I'm going to stop by the hardware store, based on what I've read, get a few digital thermometers and a halogen spotlight to see if I can get the temp better. I'm so afraid he'll get sick without the proper heat. I'll have to get up early tomorrow to allow the bulb plenty of time to heat up to make sure it's not too hot before I leave for work. My husband is out of town, I work full-time and have two young kids--can't wait for the weekend so I can figure this all out! I'll take out the "decorations" for now until I can follow your cleaning/drying recommendations.

We do have a cat, but so far he hasn't taken any interest in the beardie, and he can't get in the tank. The terrarium is in my older (9 yo) son's room, but we're gone all day during the week for work/school, so no noise or activity. I'm doing my best to keep the kids calm when they're in the room.

 

[Canicke]

one step at a time. it'll come

 

[Autumnly]

Here's the current set up. It's hard to tell from this angle, but there are two main basking branches. One of them goes within 6 inches of under the side of the light, the other one goes almost to the top of the enclosure, but not directly under the light. This is where we frequently find him.

I tried feeding him in another container, and it worked like a charm. He ate 11 crickets. I bought a 65 W halogen flood light bulb, but after 20 minutes, the new electronic thermometer I bought only showed the basking branch at 85°, and original heat lamp bulb is the same. Yikes. I'm going to use both bulbs, with supervision, for 30 minutes or so to help him digest all those crickets, and I'll have to try something else tomorrow.

 

[Eavlynn]

I'll never understand why these are marketed for desert reptiles. They come with a compact UVB bulb that can barely penetrate the holes of the screen. Compact UVB bulbs are typically avoided due to the risk of damage to your beardies eyes. The best UVB bulb to use, is a fluorescent tube style bulb, which is impossible to use with the desert reptile kit unless you start drilling holes in things for mounting. My reccomendation? Detach the current lid and get a screen top so that you can utilize all of your lid space for proper lighting.

Also, it's completely normal for little dragons to be peckish with their food when they are relocated. And it's normal for small babies to show no interest in greens. You can still offer them daily. Eventually your dragon will get curious.

Safe staple greens: collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, some endive. (No head lettuce and it's best to avoid kale).

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Hdrydr31]

Welcome to the forum and to beardies... Have no fear it will all get worked out, do please take a look at the links as we have put together a ton of info that will help you out You are at the right place to get help as we are all here for ya!
The 40 gal is a good size, all that needs to be worked on is the heat/basking/UVB the rest will fall into place with those and a little time. temps for babies are 100-107F basking and on the cool side can go down to the 70's as long as it doesn't go below 65F you won't need any CHE.

Hang in there your doing fine

 

[Autumnly]

Thanks, everyone, for all your help and support. I was truly afraid he might die during those first few days. I've gotten his basking spot up to the low 100s, he's eating and pooping and active again, and he seems to have grown as well, so I think we made it!!

 

[Hdrydr31]

Yea I'm glad things have gotten better and your cutie is acting well.. The next thing I would suggest getting him a few hides that he/she can go into to sleep or just time to themselves.

Keep putting a bowl of greens for all day and bugs 3 times a day
Consider putting some kind of background on 2-3 sides of the tank to help keeping them feel safe.