Hey i have had my beardie for about 3 weeks. just barely bought him a 40 gallon tank today and he seems to like it. He is about 4 months old. I feed him dead or alive crickets with calcium dust. i also feed him romaine lettuce and carrots every day. in a food dish, and he has a water dish. i usually feed him one big meal a day. sometimes 2 smaller ones instead. i will feed him the big one at 3 p.m. or i will feed him at 7 a.m. and then again at 3 pm. but usually in the morning he will eat leftover carrots and lettuce from the day before. i turn on his light at 7 a.m. and off at 9 30 p.m. unless on weekends its later times. i have a UVB light with 2 coiled bulbs from repti glo. and a heat lamp. he has been running away when i try to hold him lately but when i get a hold of him he settles down and lets me pet him. he also stares at his basking light and keeps his mouth wide open. And ever since i got him this new tank he will squint every once in a while while looking at the light. I am just wondering if i am doing the right things and if i need to do anything else so every tip will be appreciated. THANKS!
You are doing a great job caring for your Bear die so keep up the good work and he will be happy and healthy for years to come. The mouth thing is just something they do while basking. It is normal and there is some fancy explanation i heard for it one time but i dont remember. Some tips i can give you is dont keep him on sand, give him a bath every now and then in luke-warm water, and take him outside every now and then so he can soak up some real sunlight.
The answer above me is wrong in a few ways. I know a freaking LOT about beardies. I learned so much from the website listed in my sources, I highly recommend you join. You will learn so much. Now about your routine:
1. Your food is pretty good. Make sure you're only dusting once a day. Romaine lettuce isn't that good, actually. I use mustard greens, but collard greens are also very good for your beardie.
2. Feeding times should be 2-3 times per day, instead of once. I feed my baby beardie at 11 am, 3 pm, and 6 pm. Your lighting schedule is good, though. :] I would suggest waiting about an hour at least before feeding after turning the lights on, so your beardie has time to get warmed up.
3. Coiled bulbs and Repti-Glo aren't recommended. I suggest the Repti-Sun 10 for UVB (the fluorescent tube). That bulb is considered the best at keeping your little one healthy.
4. When he has his mouth open like that, it is called "gaping" because he is too warm. If he does this a lot, it means his basking spot is too warm. You need to get a digital thermometer to put on his basking area to make sure it is between 100 and 110 degrees. (The basking side should be around 85-95 and the cool side should be 75-85 degrees.)
5. When picking him up, make sure not to come from above, since that is what their predators do. I usually slip a finger under my beardie's belly, and make sure his legs are supported.
6. Carrots aren't the best food for your little one, but occasionally they are okay. It has something to do with how much Vitamin A is in them. Too much A can be toxic to beardies.
7. I'm not sure what kind of substrate you're using (substrate is what is on the bottom of your tank) but I hope you're not using sand, crushed walnut shells, pellets or anything like that. I suggest paper towels or slate tile. Both are not harmful in anyway and are easy to clean.
8. Finally, you should keep up a variety of food. Beardies like variety.
I really hope you take my advice :]. Your beardie will definitely appreciate it. I also hope you take time to look at the sources I gave, and join BD.org.
Best wishes with your little one!
1. Your food is pretty good. Make sure you're only dusting once a day. Romaine lettuce isn't that good, actually. I use mustard greens, but collard greens are also very good for your beardie.
2. Feeding times should be 2-3 times per day, instead of once. I feed my baby beardie at 11 am, 3 pm, and 6 pm. Your lighting schedule is good, though. :] I would suggest waiting about an hour at least before feeding after turning the lights on, so your beardie has time to get warmed up.
3. Coiled bulbs and Repti-Glo aren't recommended. I suggest the Repti-Sun 10 for UVB (the fluorescent tube). That bulb is considered the best at keeping your little one healthy.
4. When he has his mouth open like that, it is called "gaping" because he is too warm. If he does this a lot, it means his basking spot is too warm. You need to get a digital thermometer to put on his basking area to make sure it is between 100 and 110 degrees. (The basking side should be around 85-95 and the cool side should be 75-85 degrees.)
5. When picking him up, make sure not to come from above, since that is what their predators do. I usually slip a finger under my beardie's belly, and make sure his legs are supported.
6. Carrots aren't the best food for your little one, but occasionally they are okay. It has something to do with how much Vitamin A is in them. Too much A can be toxic to beardies.
7. I'm not sure what kind of substrate you're using (substrate is what is on the bottom of your tank) but I hope you're not using sand, crushed walnut shells, pellets or anything like that. I suggest paper towels or slate tile. Both are not harmful in anyway and are easy to clean.
8. Finally, you should keep up a variety of food. Beardies like variety.
I really hope you take my advice :]. Your beardie will definitely appreciate it. I also hope you take time to look at the sources I gave, and join BD.org.
Best wishes with your little one!
http://www.beardeddragon.org
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.co...
http://www.beardietales.net
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.co...
http://www.beardietales.net