Hello everyone. I don't have a bearded dragon but am considering getting one very soon. I was sent here by someone on a sister forum 'tortoise forum' when I mentioned I was thinking of getting a beardie. I am allergic to almost everything with fur so reptiles seem perfect. I've had a tortoise for four years and now everything about their care but almost nothing about Beardies, so I've come to learn. Where do you suggest I get a bearded dragon? I live in Richmond, London. Thanks
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newbie!
- Thread starter yillt
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Welcome this is a great place to learn about caring for a dragon.
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Welcome to the forum!! Beardie's are great little creatures!! This is a great safe place to learn about them! Browse the topics here and you will learn alot!
Here's the basics: offering a variety of bugs is always a good thing to do. As babies and up to young juvies they should be eating 80% bugs for protein and 20% salads of greens/veggies/fruit..Once sub adults and up that will switch to 80% salads and 20% bugs. This may vary from dragon to dragon.. There are alot of good resources on diets if you would like to check out. the space between their eyes is what they can typically fit in their mouths..
Crickets, dubia roaches, superworms, butterworms, waxworms, silkworms, hornworms are all good, some are treats as they are high in fats...
http://greathousefarm.com/Greathouse-Reptile-Nutrition-List.pdf
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
making sure your basking, UVB lighting are all good, night time heat and no lights at night are all things to look at to make sure those are not bothering s/he.
Making sure your dragon is on safe substrate (some pet stores keep them on sand which can cause impaction issues) repti carpet, paper towels, contact paper, ceramic tile are safe. Any kind of soil, wood, mulch, bark especially cedar which is very toxic are not suitable for dragons due to ingestion, they can cause impaction, skin lesions, respiratory infections, eye irritations.
-Lighting is very important you need a basking area, a warm/hot area with UVB, then the cool side. They need heat to digest, they need UVB for vit's and to aide in absorption, strong bones.
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Health/Habitats-Care/Reptile-Lighting-Information/
Enclosure: the bigger the better but min size would be 40gal for 1 dragon. They can get up to 24" long so length is important.
Well that's a start for you.
Here's the basics: offering a variety of bugs is always a good thing to do. As babies and up to young juvies they should be eating 80% bugs for protein and 20% salads of greens/veggies/fruit..Once sub adults and up that will switch to 80% salads and 20% bugs. This may vary from dragon to dragon.. There are alot of good resources on diets if you would like to check out. the space between their eyes is what they can typically fit in their mouths..
Crickets, dubia roaches, superworms, butterworms, waxworms, silkworms, hornworms are all good, some are treats as they are high in fats...
http://greathousefarm.com/Greathouse-Reptile-Nutrition-List.pdf
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
making sure your basking, UVB lighting are all good, night time heat and no lights at night are all things to look at to make sure those are not bothering s/he.
Making sure your dragon is on safe substrate (some pet stores keep them on sand which can cause impaction issues) repti carpet, paper towels, contact paper, ceramic tile are safe. Any kind of soil, wood, mulch, bark especially cedar which is very toxic are not suitable for dragons due to ingestion, they can cause impaction, skin lesions, respiratory infections, eye irritations.
-Lighting is very important you need a basking area, a warm/hot area with UVB, then the cool side. They need heat to digest, they need UVB for vit's and to aide in absorption, strong bones.
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Health/Habitats-Care/Reptile-Lighting-Information/
Enclosure: the bigger the better but min size would be 40gal for 1 dragon. They can get up to 24" long so length is important.
Well that's a start for you.
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- 1,669
Yes, indeed – welcome! They're actually very rewarding little creatures – the tug at your heartstrings. I am a little unclear as to where you live – could you clarify that for me please? Might help us figure out where to recommend you go to get one. I typically dark matter recommend babies as a first – they require a lot of time. I would suggest six months or older. I would also recommend getting your tank set up before you bring him home – look through the site here there is lots of good suggestions and if you have a question what are good people.
joeyishisname1
Bearded Dragon Egg
- Messages
- 9
- Location
- USA
Welcome! I just joined today, as well. I bought my dragon from a private owner who could no longer take care of him. He is a little over a year old. I am here for the same reasons....to learn more about beardies and share the love and passion with others who own beardies. I think we are at a wonderful place for this. 
Search the forum, Hdrydr31 gave you the basics but there is a ton of info here at your fingertips. I recommend setting up your tank before you bring one home. Babies do take a lot of work and if you don't have a lot of time I wouldn't recommend a baby.
