Researching a bit

[DeeS]

We are seniors and new to reptiles, but my husband got crested gecko a couple of months ago. She's really cute, but isn't much fun because she's only active at night. We haven't been able to handle her at all because we're afraid she'll drop her tail if we stress her too much. And know that we have her vivarium up and going strong, she's even harder to spot during the day.

I'm researching bearded dragons because they seem to be handleable. We can provide for their housing and heating needs but is there a way to buy an adult that has been raised on a complete prepared diet rather than live insects? I'm pretty sure if we got one that's used to getting live insects and tried to feed it a prepared diet, it wouldn't do well, and that's the last thing we want to do to a beautiful animal like that.

Thanks for any input,
Dee

 

[DeeS]

Just to add: we are seniors, but our daughter will take our reptiles when the time comes that we can no longer care for them.

 

[Hdrydr31]

Welcome to the forum!! I think that it's great that your looking into beardies. There may be some that have been raised that way but even adults need to take in around 20% live bug proteins and 80% greens/veggies/fruit. Being the type of reptile that they are they get their moisture intake from the bugs and salads with some drinking from a water source. There are some protein powder supplements that can be added to salads but really live foods are best.
Hopefully others will chime in with more information.

 

[PatsyB]

I LOVE that you are thinking about beardies I started getting into amphibians and reptiles when I was around 37. Never thought about them as pets before then. Before we got our bearded dragon we got leopard geckos. We thought they would be simple to take care of and they don't grow real big so they would be perfect. We were completely wrong! They were pretty cute and cool looking but they were so boring! Because of the whole nocturnal thing, they were awake when we were asleep so we didn't interact with them much. I don't mind that the frogs are nocturnal because they are more of a look but don't touch pet and they wake up around 6pm so we still get some interaction.

As far as beardies go, you can look around at rescues or shelters that might have an adult bearded dragon for adoption. Craigslist is another popular place but you have to be careful and make sure you are getting what is advertised. Even an adult dragon still needs to have some bugs. Live food and fresh veggies are the best food over processed pellets or freeze-dried bugs.

 

[DeeS]

Welcome to the forum!! I think that it's great that your looking into beardies. There may be some that have been raised that way but even adults need to take in around 20% live bug proteins and 80% greens/veggies/fruit. Being the type of reptile that they are they get their moisture intake from the bugs and salads with some drinking from a water source. There are some protein powder supplements that can be added to salads but really live foods are best.
Hopefully others will chime in with more information.

It's not the fresh greens I'm worried about, that's not a problem. It's feeding live bugs that's the issue. Hopefully, there's an alternative.

 

[Hdrydr31]

I don't know anyone that has a dragon that only eats greens/veggies/fruit only...I do know you can buy bugs in a can (I bought one out of desperation once it was nasty and she didn't want anything to do with it). Some of the pre made bites could possibly be enough to maintain a full adult that's done growing...But the really do need the protein they get from well live bugs..so I'm not sure how good it would be for the dragon to not have bug protein.
Not saying they can't just saying it's not ideal and only for 1 that's done growing.

 

[PatsyB]

I agree with Hdrydr31. I've never heard of one raised on just greens and veggies. Even adults still need live bugs every now and then.

 

[Canicke]

welcome. perhaps if you could share WHY you want to avoid live insects we may be of more assistance -- ???

 

[DeeS]

welcome. perhaps if you could share WHY you want to avoid live insects we may be of more assistance -- ???

My apologies-I missed this reply to my post.

I'm concerned about roaches getting loose in my house and Dubia roaches do seem to be the best live food for them. We keep the house about 77* F which seems like it's warm enough for the roaches to thrive if they get loose.

Also, the more I read about beardies and how confiding and friendly they are and the attention they seem to crave, the more concerned I become that we wouldn't be good beardie parents.

Another concern-carpeting throughout the house and I've read that that can be harmful to a beardie.

Jury is still out, I guess. There are several on our local Craig's list at any one time being rehomed, which also gives me pause because why are they available?

 

[Canicke]

where do you live? I've live in Tucson Az (well, the area, anyway) - I've had dubias escape, but they do not live. has to be hot AND humid. and really - they didn't escape so much as I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have. they don't climb so are great in plastic tubs. "Thriving" would be unlikely. Almost all living creatures (well, the pet type) like and need attention. Carpeting - can be a problem, but not necessarily - they can get their nails caught in the loops, but I just file the nails and don't have a problem. I got all my beardies (3 so far) off of Craigslist. The first one was being re-homed cuz the child wasn't caring for it. The second because the kids were growing up and teenagers have other interests. the third one cuz the family had too many. other reasons include: moving and cant take animals, moving out of country, finances (they really aren't terribly expensive, but all animals do require some care - the initial outlay may be daunting) people lose jobs or have emergencies come up, too. many reasons. It is good that you are considering these things. If you are concerned about an animal needing time with you - I would wonder why you want one? Not a judgement - just curious. If you want a low maintenance reptile - geckos are good. I think they're also pretty boring, but then, I love my beardies.

 

[DeeS]

Thank you for your very thoughtful post. We have a crested gecko and it is boring. We rarely see her and she definitely is not interested in being handled even if we are up when she's awake. Obviously, I didn't do enough research before we got her, so need to be extra cautious before committing to another pet.

I'm not concerned about a beardie needing attention, just worried about how MUCH attention. Some of the information indicates that they want to interract most of the day, run around the house loose, etc. My husband, who would be the main person the beardie would be interracting with, is retired, but has commitments several days a week. The last thing we want to do is not provide whatever human interaction he or she needs to have a happy, contented life.

 

[Canicke]

some want more. some want less. my boy can be super active - up and down, running back and forth, then he stops and he's done for the day (like a little kid) my girl likes to be out of her tank, but she's basically lazy. she'll soak up the sun on the windowsill for a bit, then jump (well, fall) off onto the chair then onto the floor then she'll either find a place to poop or take a nap. which is where she will be the rest of the day. I would LOVE to give my kids more time, but I work full time plus so just do the best I can. I spoil them and they spoil me

 

[Hdrydr31]

You really don't need to worry about them breading if you have an escapee as yes they don't live long outside of their 75-85 degree tub and 40+ humidity. I live in WI and I have my roach colony in the basement and any that may have gotten loose I find dead. so I wouldn't stress about that, and Dubia roaches are soo good for them.

I have 2 dragons now and my 1 year old female is in our living room she is very content on just basking on her log watching what is going on, I'm at home and as I can I take her out of her tank and go outside or just let her chill on my lap/chest she is super laid back and fine if I can't/don't spend much time with her.
My little male Simon is 5+ months and he is in 1 of our bedrooms and he is kinda wild but then again babies can be espec males I think he's going to have a more lets do stuff personality... so it's very much dragon specific,

Not all craigslist dragons are being given up for bad reasons, maybe they have to move? maybe they have to downsize? maybe it was for their kid and now the parents are having to do the work and don't want to but want them to have a new home, can't hurt to talk to them to see why...

We have carpet in 1 of the rooms that I will let them run around in as it's old carpet and well I don't care if it gets messed on, and they are fine..I also have 2 zippered tent deals that I can put them in while outside so they can get some natural Vit D and be out of their enclosure...

 

[DeeS]

Hubby and I got to interact with both a baby and an adult bearded dragon yesterday at Ack's Exotic Pets in Cicero, NY. I think what we're going to do is start breeding Dubia roaches and see how that goes. If it goes well, we are definitely going to get a beardie.

Obviously, if we can't manage to breed his or her food supply, we wouldn't be doing justice to our potential new pet.

 

[Canicke]

you don't have to breed. there are multiple sources from which to order. I "have a guy" that I get mine from - cant seem to get the particulars of breeding, but he does it quite well. found him on Craigslist. We meet at a well lighted gas station. many places on line. dubias are not the only source of nutrition - there are also various types of worms. I use superworms cuz that's what I can get at my local (well - 60 miles away) (i likve in the sticks) pet store, but several of our members have access to a greater variety. older beardies tend to eat more vaggies. please note I said TEND to eat - my girl will OD on superworms sometimes. other times, she LOVES her pea pods. And my boy will scarf up cucumber. then turn around and not eat it at all for a week or 2.

 

[Hdrydr31]

I found breeding the dubia is very easy the hardest part is leaving the main colony alone long enough for them to settle to breed...I have my all adult breeder tub with 3:1 ratio fe to male, I then have a tub of all females, a tub of all males...that way I can regulate the breeding, also temps play a big part.. They love oranges it seems to be the "lets get it on" for them lol just don't feed the oranges to the ones you directly give to the beardie as it will make them acidic and add in more Vit's.

I also feed supers, butterworms, waxworms, hornworms, phoenix worms
then the mix of salad greens and veggies and a fruit.