Newbie with a question

[MPG]

Hey everyone,I'm new to beardies and I was curious about feeding babies/juveniles. I understand you have to feed them 3 times a day plus make sure you add in veggies, plus make sure you give them calcium and vitamin supplements. I don't understand how they are considered a beginner reptile. I mean I have no problem doing it but if you go into any big box they push these guys like they are goldfish and say they require the same level of care taking, but that's pretty involved for a lot of people, from the 11 year old to the 30 year old who works full time and also has a toddler to take care of. Like I said earlier I have no problem with it but how do others feel about beardies being considered a beginner reptile. Or am I missing something when it comes to feeding the babies. It is as time consuming as I am making it to be? Thanks

 

[CrazyLeopardGeckoLady]

Welcome to the forum!
Your right about that whenever people talk about getting a reptile I have to remind them how much bugs and veggies they eat, since I got mine older I use patsyb's story on how her babies eat 60 or more bugs a day!
I think it might be because of how much personality they have but they are hard to take care of

 

[ObiThaGod]

I don't think they are hard to care for actually.....I may or my not be the best opinion to consider as this is my first beardie.

I do think the initial set up is a bit overwhelming..... Making sure u purchased everything, getting set up, making sure temps and things are correct, etc.

Once u get everything calibrated its pretty much nothing to do besides the occasional cleanings and baths and feedings.

I think the beginner thing goes out the window with the price tag.....after set up, the cost of feeders, decor etc it gets way more expensive than u would imagine, but I think its cool!

 

[MPG]

That's what I was thinking as well, but is what I mentioned before correct about feeding a baby beardie or am I over exaggerating the feeding schedule?

 

[ObiThaGod]

Sounds about right, I acquired my beardie at a few months old n he'll eat as many crickets or supers as u can fit in the tank with him then once he's finished those he'll munch his salad then sit n look for more so I wouldn't put it past a baby

 

[Canicke]

Yeah - babies are not so much for beginners. And - the tank set up can be a bit overwhelming. THe big box stores really havent a clue. Dont ask them for help - please come here. Once the beardies get to about 6 months, care gets easier.

 

[Paarthurnax]

agreed with above, as they get older they are easier. Or I am getting better at beardie husbandry. quite possibly the latter. Even the "kits" sold at box stores are wrong as compared to the experienced advice found here. The kits come with red and blue lights and one UVB. Green alfalfa pellet bedding and not much of a hide of anything to climb on.

 

[Hdrydr31]

Yep I would NOT say that Beardies are for beginners at least baby and juvies! They are for sure an investment that is going to live for 10-12 ish years! I do agree that once they are all set up and doing well they do become easier to take care of.. But I think that's because by that time you've established a routine and you've gotten used to your beardie.. lol young adults to adults are way easier and they've slowed down
It's sad that pet stores don't have experience (well some do...) to advise prospective owners on the needs...The kits that are available are not accurate on the needs of them..
When I knew that I was going to get one I got on the net and did a bunch of research so I had a better idea of what they need BEFORE getting her. I still had some tweaking to do but it wasn't anything major..

 

[ObiThaGod]

I just literally dropped 15 large supers in yoshi's tank and he'd probably eat more.....this is after he's picked at his salad all day (literally picked all of the carrots from the bottom of his dish)

 

[Hdrydr31]

I just literally dropped 15 large supers in yoshi's tank and he'd probably eat more.....this is after he's picked at his salad all day (literally picked all of the carrots from the bottom of his dish)

lol they sure can put away the food be careful on the carrots they are really high in Vit A too much can lead to toxicity that is very dangerous..

 

[MPG]

I will definitely becoming here for questions, if I were to tell you all the nonsense they say it would cause a riot lol. The setup and supplies I got taken care of already, I just have to get my beardie now. Would you recommend getting an older one or would I be missing out on the experience. Like with my dogs I rescued them as puppies and even tho it was a treacherous 1st year I would trade it for anything.

 

[Hdrydr31]

I will definitely becoming here for questions, if I were to tell you all the nonsense they say it would cause a riot lol. The setup and supplies I got taken care of already, I just have to get my beardie now. Would you recommend getting an older one or would I be missing out on the experience. Like with my dogs I rescued them as puppies and even tho it was a treacherous 1st year I would trade it for anything.

Well that depends if you are ready for the appetite of a baby that needs to be fed 3 times a day... Get a baby they are amazing to watch grow up.. If you see a adult that needs a home they are great too and they deserve a good home.

 

[ObiThaGod]

lol they sure can put away the food be careful on the carrots they are really high in Vit A too much can lead to toxicity that is very dangerous..

That's good to know because he seems to really like them and it didn't cross my mind to look into them......I went to Seattle for a week and a half n my friend gave him a bit this is the first I've given them to him since, almost a month later he's had about 3 baby carrots..... Should I back off for a while?

And I guess while I'm at it what about broccoli (just the heads, no stalks), bean sprouts, snap peas?

 

[Hdrydr31]

That's good to know because he seems to really like them and it didn't cross my mind to look into them......I went to Seattle for a week and a half n my friend gave him a bit this is the first I've given them to him since, almost a month later he's had about 3 baby carrots..... Should I back off for a while?

And I guess while I'm at it what about broccoli (just the heads, no stalks), bean sprouts, snap peas?

here are some links on good/bad foods and how often to feed...

http://greathousefarm.com/Greathouse-Reptile-Nutrition-List.pdf
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

 

[Paarthurnax]

I use the beautiful dragons site and really it.

 

[Hdrydr31]

I use the beautiful dragons site and really it.

Those 2 links are what most of us here go by..

 

[PatsyB]

Having more than one type of reptile/amphibian I can tell you exactly why they are considered beginner lizards. Beardies are hardy and not completely fragile and they love to interact with their people. I have a chameleon, he doesn't always like me, doesn't like to be touched would rather be left alone. He can wake up tomorrow and be sick and I will never know what happened. He can fall and die, they are very fragile. My beardie will jump off the couch and then run to the other side of the house like nothing happened! My frogs, are so sensitive you can't touch their skin unless your hands are wet and free of scents and lotions.

With that said even when your tank is completely set up, it takes TIME to care for them. I have 3 beardies, on a week day it's an hour in the morning to get them settled for me to go to work. It's a half hour at lunch to clean up poop and feed them before I feed myself. It's an hours at night to clean tanks and spend time with each of them. On the weekend it's even longer, tank cleanings, prepping the weeks salads, cleaning the bug tanks out. ETC. So many people wish they had my life because I don't have a house or kids but they don't realize that my little zoo takes a lot of time to maintain.

Would I change any of it... NO! I love them, I love taking care of them, I love that I had 2 of them since they were babies and got to see them grow up and their personalities develop. Babies do eat A LOT, but that tapers off around the 6 month mark and then they can start eating bigger foods and they will want less.

 

[Hdrydr31]

Well said PatsyB you are right the time is a big thing!! I'm glad to be home (I disabled with RA/OA/Fibro and a few others...) but it takes time for sure getting her bugs and salads ready, then her bath time (this is where she prefers to do her business and play) then we take care of the feeder roaches new fruit/water/food. Izzy usually is with me as she loves getting some extra roaches when I put them on the counter she runs after them...
But we also have 3 cats a dog and some fish...
Then there's the night time spending time with her, then putting her to bed, clean out the food bowls.....

 

[MPG]

I was just searching another forum and found a post about commercial food. Is it true that a good quality ond can be a good staple food and feed crickets/ roaches three times a day as well and feed veggies on the side? Do the commercial foods actually make up for the supplements you would dust the insects or veggies with? Its interesting tho, because there are little brochures that the big box store have and most of them say feed the hard food and give crickets as treats which I know is nutty. Just another reason big box stores are not the greatest.

 

[PatsyB]

I believe that the best foods are live and fresh. So live bugs and fresh veggies. Lot's of beardies won't eat something that isn't moving.