My newest family member!

[Reptiles Galore]

Hi everybody!

I just got my new baby bearded dragon yesterday! He/she is doing great! and he/she CAN ALREADY DRINK FROM A WATER DISH, he/she is only 1 month and half old!so its awesome, i will try and post some pics soon!

Aaron

[Soul_Reaper]

Very nice! Congrats!

Let us know when you get some pics up.

[mrsogle]

Aaron:

Have fun. It's great watching them grow up. From their first leg waving to their first head bob. Just PLEASE be sure that you dust the crickets with REP CAL every feeding and Dust with Herptivite (in place of the REP CAL) once a week. My beardie didn't get the calcium she needed from her breeder. By the time I got her the bones in her front legs had deformed and she now walks on her elbows because from her elbows down to her toes are turned in. Please don't think I'm a know it all, because I'm far from it and not trying to sound like one at all. I just got all this info from an exotic vet. He also recommended a UVB Flourescent instead of a bulb changing every 6 to 8 months. If you are using an aquriam use the heat pads that go under the aquarium and not the heat rocks. PLEASE, PLEASE don't feel that I'm trying to make you feel inadequit or anything, I just wanted someone to benefit from my expierence. I love my beardie to pieces and even though she's deformed I wouldn't trade her for anything. :o)

[Reptiles Galore]

Hey,

I totally know what you are talking about mrsogle! And dont worry i know everything i need to know about taking care of them!Thanx anyways though! and i hope your bearded dragon stays healthy!!!!

Aaron

[Sonic Reality]

congrats dude!

and my names aaron too lol

[drewlowe]

Congrats on the little one. Hope to see pics soon!!!

Originally posted by mrsogle
Aaron:

Have fun. It's great watching them grow up. From their first leg waving to their first head bob. Just PLEASE be sure that you dust the crickets with REP CAL every feeding and Dust with Herptivite (in place of the REP CAL) once a week. My beardie didn't get the calcium she needed from her breeder. By the time I got her the bones in her front legs had deformed and she now walks on her elbows because from her elbows down to her toes are turned in. Please don't think I'm a know it all, because I'm far from it and not trying to sound like one at all. I just got all this info from an exotic vet. He also recommended a UVB Flourescent instead of a bulb changing every 6 to 8 months. If you are using an aquriam use the heat pads that go under the aquarium and not the heat rocks. PLEASE, PLEASE don't feel that I'm trying to make you feel inadequit or anything, I just wanted someone to benefit from my expierence. I love my beardie to pieces and even though she's deformed I wouldn't trade her for anything. :o)

I'm going to throw out the info i have learned from keeping them and from my vet.

Rep cal calcium and herptivitamin- You should dust 3 times a week 6:1 ratio of calcum to herptiviatamin.

What do you mean by he reccomends a uvb flourescent instead of a bulb changing.

Bearded dragons need to have a UVB fixture and the UV bulbs should be replaced every 6 months unless you have an UVB light meter.

The heating thing though is way off. Beardies require heat from ABOVE not below. Toss out the heating pad and smash any heat rocks (lol Hot rocks are the worst thing ever). You should have at least 2 fixtures on the top of your cage (if you don't use mercury bulbs) One fixture for heat, ex. a porcelin fixture with a basking bulb in it, and one flouresent fixture with a UVB tube in it ( i recommend zoo med 5.0). No heating pads of any kind!!!!

Jamie

[Reptiles Galore]

I agree with drewlowe! All the things he said are %100 right, and a heat rock can burn them, and you dont put calcium on everyfeeding, not trying to be rude or anything but please make sure you know what you are typing mrsogle!

Aaron

[meow_mix450]

i thought you had too dust the crikets every feeding untill he gets a little older......mayb im wrong but thats wut i read

Meow

[drewlowe]

Originally posted by meow_mix450
i thought you had too dust the crikets every feeding untill he gets a little older......mayb im wrong but thats wut i read

Meow

Nope, you should dust at least 3 times a week.

[drewlowe]

Originally posted by Reptiles Galore
I agree with drewlowe! All the things he said are %100 right, and a heat rock can burn them, and you dont put calcium on everyfeeding, not trying to be rude or anything but please make sure you know what you are typing mrsogle!

Aaron

Thank you, but one thing is wrong i'm a girl. LOL

[Phox]

Congrats on your new addition! :)
Definately post some pics for us when you can!

[Reptiles Galore]

sorry drewlowe!

Aaron

[mrsogle]

drewlowe:I was giving advice that my Exoctic Vet had given me also. According to him and the books I've read baby beardies should have their food lightly dusted daily. Reptilesgalore did say a "baby". As they get older then to be dusted weekly or every other week. I thought this was a place to help and give advice. Not argue with each other.

[meow_mix450]

ya that came from a vet, i thought babys needed to be dusted everyday untill there ssub adult

Meow

[Reptiles Galore]

.

[drewlowe]

Originally posted by mrsogle
drewlowe:I was giving advice that my Exoctic Vet had given me also. According to him and the books I've read baby beardies should have their food lightly dusted daily. Reptilesgalore did say a "baby". As they get older then to be dusted weekly or every other week. I thought this was a place to help and give advice. Not argue with each other.

Ummm... Where do you see arguing at, cause i didn't say anything rude. I'm sorry i don't put tons of smilieys in my post, but half the time i'm at work and i don't have time to do that stuff. I come on type what i want to say and go (before i get caught, lol).

The only thing i can see that would make you say that is i asked this question "What do you mean by he reccomends a uvb flourescent instead of a bulb changing." That was because i didn't understand what you were trying to say.

You gave the info you know i gave the info that i know let that person do more research and find out the right way. For me i'm sticking to what i have learned, until proven otherwise. I go to a very respected reptile vet (which took me a few years to find) that not only is he a vet, he also keeps several reptiles at home and in the office. Every time i'm in we go over different aspects of husbandry and care, along with the reason why i'm there even if it's just dropping off a fecal. Now in no way am i saying anthing negative i'm just giving my source credit. I personaly trust the info he has given me and it has worked well so far, with my babies.

Jamie

[drewlowe]

Ok i'm going to type word for word what is in my books i have at home.

I would just like to say i don't fully endorse this first book as i found alot of info to be inaccurate.

the guide to Owning a Bearded Dragon by Zoffer & Mazorlig

" it is important to follow the directions on the package or (even bettre) to consult a veterinarian about the dosage. Although not a common problem, captive reptile can be over fed vitamins, which causes all manner of serious ailments as the vitamins reach toxic levels in the body. The best route to take it to chose betwen either supplementing the veggies or the insects. (Blah blah blah there was a bunch of stuff that i didn't need to type), Remember use vitamins on a regular basis but not too often and if you have any questions at all as to dosage or frequency,Check with a vet or experienced herp dealer."

Thats' what the the first book said now lets see the second book that I have.

An Owners Guide To A happy Healthy Pet, The bearded Dragon. By Stee Grenard. I personally like this book better Even though i don't entirely agree with the book on every aspect.

Feeding Babies- From Newborn to 4 months of age. " It is also important to gut load insects and dust them 2-3 times a week with specially formulated reptile Vitamin/mineral supplement powder.

Feeding adults- from 4 months to adulthood. " You can scale back supplementing insects or veggies with vitamin? mineral powders to once a week when full adult hood is reached. Note, owever, that breeding females need extra nutrients for emboryo, youlk, and eggshell formation."

Now neither one of these books even suggest to use supplementation every feeeding. So tell me what book your reading and the proof that is says every feeding they must be supplemented. Don't take this as arguing take it as a debate, you know where people don't agree and they each debate their cause.

Out of a personal thing how long have you (mrsogle) been keeping beardies. I myself have kept them for 4 years and breed them for 2 going on my 3rd year of breeding. Not once have i lost a beardie this whole time and none of them that i know about have had any defecincies, When i sell i give them my home # if any problems arise they can call me and i'm sure if there where defecincies i would have been contatcted. I also give a 3 month warrenty to the babies if they are housed correctly by the new owner.



ya that came from a vet, i thought babys needed to be dusted everyday untill there ssub adult

Meow
Ummm.... Meox mix my info also came from a reptile vet, books, and experince.

I supplement my babies 3 times a week and my adults 1-2 times a week unless it's during breeding season and i up my supplementation to my female, at least 3 times a week with a little extra calcuim.

Now it's your turn mrsogle or anyone else.

Jamie

[drewlowe]

Originally posted by mrsogle
If you are using an aquriam use the heat pads that go under the aquarium and not the heat rocks.

I would also like to know if your vet suggested this to you, because Bearde dragons do not require heat from below they HAVE to have heat from above to digest properly.

[Reptiles Galore]

THEY HAVE TO HAVE HEAT FROM ABOVE!! heat underneath isnt as good

[Buster]

Here is a little table that is on a website I use for reference quite a bit. It's show how many times a week for supplements

Hopefull it shows up properly.
<table width="60%" border="1">
<tr>
<td width="65%">Beardie Age</td>
<td width="30%">Multi Vitamin</td>
<td width="29%">Calcium</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Less than a year</td>
<td>4 - 5x</td>
<td>7x</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1 to 2 years</td>
<td>3 - 4x</td>
<td>5 - 6x</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Over 2 years</td>
<td>2 - 3x</td>
<td>4 - 5x</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pre-breeding or gravid</td>
<td>2 - 3x</td>
<td>5 - 6x</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sick or emaciated and less than 1 year</td>
<td>3 - 4x</td>
<td>5 - 6x</td>
</tr>
</table>