So I just got a Bearded Dragon yesterday afternoon. I have the 10 gallon tank set up with Paper towels on the bottom. Was going to go sand but the owners of the shop I got him at advised against it due to compaction. I fed him about 13 crickets with the Calcium supplement added onto them yesterday, and turned the lights out at 12 am, and back on at 10 am this morning. 14-10 light cycle is what I've heard to be best.
I have a few questions.
The Cage/near the basking spot sits around 95 Fahrenheit, and I have a bendy branch that is about 5 or so inches from the red UVB bulb. I've been keeping the bulb on all day, and kept it on low last night. The temp near it was 82 or so, and the others die seemed to be around 70.
He seemed to sleep last night, which is a good thing, and I fed him another 12 crickets this morning. When I got home he ate a decent amount of greens and butternut squash flakes. I'm trying tonight with the light off, and the heat pad beneath the basking spot on. It's padded well from the bottom, and I tested my hand on top of the padding I have for about 3 minutes, and the temp was a consistent 'warm' not 'hot' or anything. Just enough to maintain tank temperature on that side it seems.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Right now he is sleeping on the branch, with his neck/head leaning upwards against the side of the tank. It's odd, but his eyes are closed and he's steadily breathing, so all seems well. Is this peculiar behavior?
Anything else I should look for? I have a water dish, and was going to look for a nice smooth rock to put near the middle of the tank for a median of heat, and a hide spot to put in the far corner.
Does this seem all relatively on the up and up? Anything I should change? Night lightning, temperature? He's only about 12 weeks old apparently.
Hi there
It all sounds good to me. One question I have to ask though. The tank? Is this like a fish tank and all glass. If so, is the lid well vented. The problem you could have if it is all glass is that it would work like a micro wave and you could cook your beardie from the inside. Basically you could pouch him.
I would advise against a heat mat due to Bearded Dragons can not regulate their temp through there underside, however you have taken the good precaution of having it well padded. Personally I would just lower the temp during the dark hours by only a couple of degrees .
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Feeding sounds good. Don't be worry to much if he decides not to eat this can be for a couple of reasons. 1) he has realised he is in a different environment. 2) he is full up. Keep a good variation of foods; they are like young kids, if they are fed the same thing every day they will not eat anything else.
I would move your branch away from the heat lamp a little. You don't want him burning himself. A water dish I find is not necessary. You can get a plant spray thingy from a gardening store. Fill it with water and Spray him every couple of days. Bearded Dragons use movement to find its food and drink. Depending on its age and size, put some tepid water in the bath, about as warm as you would bath a baby in. (Not knowing your age I would suggest that a parent could show you how to do this) He will defecate but swimming is good exercise. With the movement of the water he will drink too.
If you have any queries go to www.beardiesofhambleton.moonfruit.com
this will give you all the information you need for health keeping, husbandry etc for you dragon.
Also, It's a glass tank with a mesh top, completely ventilated. I'll move the heat lamp slightly off kilter to the top of the branch. The way I have it is that the heat lamp is directly over the highest point in the corner, and it extends away and lower so the temp varies.
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pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
I think there is just a couple of changes that you could make but oveall it sounds not too bad at all :-)
The basking spot could be increased to 105 to 110. This does not sounds like much but if it is kept at 95 for long periods the dragons appetite and activity levels will drop which could result in some health issues. You shouldn't need to have the heat bulb on at all over night as long as temps don't drop below 68-70.
About 10 to 12 hours of UV light a day is good.
Otherwise it all sounds fine, well done.
Hey, I am not a pro or anything, but that seems overall well done, some might argue that the hot temp should be higher, but 5 or so degrees. Unless your place gets cold at night, you should need the heat bulb at night. smooth rocks are good, so is a hide. depending on size you should be looking to expand your tank soon. You also should feed him twice a day at least in insects, as much as he will eat in 10 minutes I believe. oh and unless you know he is drinking water, give him a bath weekly to twice weekly, and daily sprays, directly on him.
