Some Beardie Questions

[SerpentLust]

Fell in love with them at the show, ended up picking up 1.1 6 month old Beardies.

Right now they have a red basking light on one side of the enclosure which I can boost up WAY over 130 degrees if I didn't have a dimmer attached to it and all the way down to 75 degrees. I have a UV 15 W bulb on the inside of the cage. Paper towel substrate.

Both of them have eaten mealies dusted with a Calcium suppliment for me. They've also eaten a salad aswell.

I have some general questions which I'm getting mixed information about.

Basking Spot temps. I'm seeing 85 - 115 hahaha What's the right temp. Right now I'm keeping it at 95, but I'd like to know for sure. I know they like it hot.

Furthermore, I know they can't eat Fireflies. But what other insects/veggies/fruits/general food items should be avoided? I know pinkies would be a rare treat. But other that that anything?

I'm so excited about my new additions, pics to come soon!

Jenn

[chryseis]

Hey,
Congratulations on your new addiitons. The basking spot temperature that I keep my beardies at is around 110 degrees. It also depends on how big your enclosure is. It should be big enough to create a thermal gradiant.
For the younger beardies, I try to stay away from mealworms as they may be hard on the digestive system. Your best bet would be to start off with a salad every morning (collard, kale, dandelions etc) and dusted crickets.
Also, since you are keeping the pair together, make sure the male doesn't breed the female too early.
We would love to see some pics.
Again congratulations
=)
Steve

[SerpentLust]

Pics coming soon, actually I have some now, but well, I look like a cow in them and my BF looks drunk! Hahaha But anyhoo, thank you very much.

Right now it's a custom habitarium enclosure temporarily housing them for their quarantine. It's 36 x 16 x 12. But I read that for beardies they need alot of room to play, and I believe it. My male (Loki) is the most playful and energetic reptile I've ever seen. They're so interesting. I feel like I'm cheating on my snakes lmao

I read somewhere to offer a beardie a home that's like five times its size, although I thought that's a bit of overkill, it sounds like a good idea to me so that's what I"ll end up doing when they age a bit.

I've never seen my BF so interested in an animal. He likes my snakes, like you know "Yeah they're cool" but he's never really cared about them. He'll water them if I'm not around and feed them. But that's it. He can't keep his eyes off the beardies though. OMG It's so cute! I swear he babies them to no end, he treats them like he gave birth to them! Hahaha

Pics soon, I promise! :)

Jenn

[drewlowe]

The basking temp can range for individuals, anywhere form 105-115 is recommend for proper digestion. It all depends on the beardie if they stay away from the basking spot most of the time you should try lowering it a bit and if they stay in the spot most of the day you will need to up it. You can also let the temps drop into the 60's to 70's at night and they will be ok.


Here are some of the veggies and fruits i feed mine, kale, collard, mustard, turnip, swiss chard, dandalion, parsley, parsnip, carrots, sweet potato, bok choy, endive, yams, squash, snow peas, green beans,okra, green and yellow bell peppers i know their is more that i feed them but my mind has just went blank.... watermelon, strawberries, kiwi, melon balls, cantelope, grapes, various berries, ummmm i know there's more thier also.

I would stay away from lettace it's basicly just water and no nutrients, oh and spinach.

When it comes to space the more the better. These guys will use every inch you give them. Beardies are great, full of energy but most are as sweet as can be.

Hope to see some pics soon.

Jamie

[K1LOS]

You brought up pinkies... uh oh. Thats sure to start an argument.

I keep mine a little warmer and watch the dragons. My basking spot is at 120 at the highest/warmest point and they certainly don't shy away from it.

For my salads i just get that pre-mixed stuff. I have seen it as Mescalin (sp?) in the grocery stores. Only thing is it has baby spinach in there so i just pick out as much of that as i can and give the rest to them. I don't think spinach is terrible in low doses, but definately should be avoided.

Geoff