Bearded dragons
All pet owners have a responsibility to look after and care for their pets, if you are thinking about getting a Bearded Dragon learn as much as you can about how to care for them beforehand.
Don't forget to take into account your other pets if you have them.
The amount of space you will need and the time you have to care for them and the cost.
Don't forget to take into account your other pets if you have them.
The amount of space you will need and the time you have to care for them and the cost.
Caring for your Bearded Dragon
Please do not put your Bearded Dragon in a small Vivarium If you look at these two photos above you can already see that a small Vivarium will be no good.
Beardies as we affectionately call them needs lots of space to roam and climb, a baby beardie will not be stressed or feel lost in a large vivarium, in the wild they are born in large open areas.
Your Vivarium needs to be at least 4ft X 2ft X 2ft with
4 air vents evenly spaced across the back wall of your vivarium or 2 at each end on the back wall.
Front opening doors are best as you do not want to be putting your hand down over the top of your beardie this will stress them, as this is how something that is going to eat them would approach,with front openings you can put your hand in at ground level, far less frightening for your new beardie.
SUBSTRATE
There is always a lot of arguments about substrates (flooring), in the photos here you can see sand but,
it is impacted (solid) and has a very light covering on the top of dusty earth mixed with sand and small rocky type stones.
In captivity it is best to never put sand in your vivarium until your beardie is at least 6 months old and then only play sand, by then they have honed there skills of catching prey without mouthfuls of sand which can cause impaction in the gut and death and never use Calci Sand even when older.
For babies just use kitchen roll, which can be easily replaced or slate,make sure the slate is not sharp, it is very easy to clean and disinfect and slate has the added benefit of staying warm.
You can also use textured floor tiles so your baby does not slide about, but make sure they do not have a glue backing on as this will create toxic fumes.
You can decorate your tank with a few accessories make sure they are reptile decorations, all these and your vivarium will need weekly disinfecting with a good reptile disinfectant.
Personally I would not have a hide to start with as your beardie will be stressed when you bring him home and may hide in it and will not get enough basking time or UVB lighting, best to use a bit of fine leafed artificial greenery that will still let the uvb and light on him/her.
LIGHTING-THERMOMETERS-THERMOSTATS
PLEASE NEVER USE A HEAT ROCK OR HEATMAT
Your Beardie cannot sense heat from underneath his body only on top you will cause horrific burns which could result in death.
You will need a 65 - 75 watt Reflector Bulb for a Basking light these are easily obtained from most supermarkets or a reptile spot basking bulbs these are normally more expensive on line or from a pet shop and a UVB 12% strip light running the length of your Vivarium.
Your basking temperature needs to range between 95-101 Farenheit,(101) being the best temperature to have, this needs to be on for 14 hours in the summer in the winter 12 hours.
You also need a ceramic bulb or reflector bulb 40 watt for the cool end the temperature you are aiming for is 70 Fahrenheit dropping to 60 to 65 Fahrenheit at night.
I have all my lights off at night, as I find the build up of warmth lasts thru the night.
It has been proved that red light can be seen by beardies
You do not need a light on for heating at night unless your house is freezing cold, in the wild they survive much colder temps than this, so don't worry.
In the winter you can always put a warm cover over the front your vivarium if you are worried to help keep in the heat.
You need 2 Dual Digital probe thermometers, these are the most accurate, I got 2 on line for less than £6.00 with postage.
You will need one each end of the vivarium as your beardie needs a basking area and a cool area.
Most importantly
You must have a thermostat to control and keep the right temperatures with out this you will burn your beardie and could cause a fire in your house.
FEEDING BEARDED DRAGONS
Your beardie will happily chomp his way thru Crickets, Roach,( Wax Worms, Locusts as a treat ), and also Fruit and Vegetables.
They need 80% live food and 20% veg as babies, changing to 20% Live food and 80% veg when adult.
baby beardies need feeding 3 times a day cutting down to twice a day when juniors.
All food must be dusted with a pinch of Calcium
You need to be using 5 days of Calcium and 2 days of Nutrobel which contains the necessary vitamins.
Clean fresh water in a shallow dish must be available at all times.
You can click here for a list of Nutrional Value and foods you can give them.
Beardies as we affectionately call them needs lots of space to roam and climb, a baby beardie will not be stressed or feel lost in a large vivarium, in the wild they are born in large open areas.
Your Vivarium needs to be at least 4ft X 2ft X 2ft with
4 air vents evenly spaced across the back wall of your vivarium or 2 at each end on the back wall.
Front opening doors are best as you do not want to be putting your hand down over the top of your beardie this will stress them, as this is how something that is going to eat them would approach,with front openings you can put your hand in at ground level, far less frightening for your new beardie.
SUBSTRATE
There is always a lot of arguments about substrates (flooring), in the photos here you can see sand but,
it is impacted (solid) and has a very light covering on the top of dusty earth mixed with sand and small rocky type stones.
In captivity it is best to never put sand in your vivarium until your beardie is at least 6 months old and then only play sand, by then they have honed there skills of catching prey without mouthfuls of sand which can cause impaction in the gut and death and never use Calci Sand even when older.
For babies just use kitchen roll, which can be easily replaced or slate,make sure the slate is not sharp, it is very easy to clean and disinfect and slate has the added benefit of staying warm.
You can also use textured floor tiles so your baby does not slide about, but make sure they do not have a glue backing on as this will create toxic fumes.
You can decorate your tank with a few accessories make sure they are reptile decorations, all these and your vivarium will need weekly disinfecting with a good reptile disinfectant.
Personally I would not have a hide to start with as your beardie will be stressed when you bring him home and may hide in it and will not get enough basking time or UVB lighting, best to use a bit of fine leafed artificial greenery that will still let the uvb and light on him/her.
LIGHTING-THERMOMETERS-THERMOSTATS
PLEASE NEVER USE A HEAT ROCK OR HEATMAT
Your Beardie cannot sense heat from underneath his body only on top you will cause horrific burns which could result in death.
You will need a 65 - 75 watt Reflector Bulb for a Basking light these are easily obtained from most supermarkets or a reptile spot basking bulbs these are normally more expensive on line or from a pet shop and a UVB 12% strip light running the length of your Vivarium.
Your basking temperature needs to range between 95-101 Farenheit,(101) being the best temperature to have, this needs to be on for 14 hours in the summer in the winter 12 hours.
You also need a ceramic bulb or reflector bulb 40 watt for the cool end the temperature you are aiming for is 70 Fahrenheit dropping to 60 to 65 Fahrenheit at night.
I have all my lights off at night, as I find the build up of warmth lasts thru the night.
It has been proved that red light can be seen by beardies
You do not need a light on for heating at night unless your house is freezing cold, in the wild they survive much colder temps than this, so don't worry.
In the winter you can always put a warm cover over the front your vivarium if you are worried to help keep in the heat.
You need 2 Dual Digital probe thermometers, these are the most accurate, I got 2 on line for less than £6.00 with postage.
You will need one each end of the vivarium as your beardie needs a basking area and a cool area.
Most importantly
You must have a thermostat to control and keep the right temperatures with out this you will burn your beardie and could cause a fire in your house.
FEEDING BEARDED DRAGONS
Your beardie will happily chomp his way thru Crickets, Roach,( Wax Worms, Locusts as a treat ), and also Fruit and Vegetables.
They need 80% live food and 20% veg as babies, changing to 20% Live food and 80% veg when adult.
baby beardies need feeding 3 times a day cutting down to twice a day when juniors.
All food must be dusted with a pinch of Calcium
You need to be using 5 days of Calcium and 2 days of Nutrobel which contains the necessary vitamins.
Clean fresh water in a shallow dish must be available at all times.
You can click here for a list of Nutrional Value and foods you can give them.