Hi all, been a few years since I used to post on kingsnake as UMDKingsnake, but I'm getting back into the hobby. Used to keep snakes, but I'm interested in possibly getting a beardie as a personal pet and for my classroom. The animal would not be handled during the school day or in a room full of reaching hands, but rather on an individual or very small group basis. In addition to the excitement of getting a new pet, I am also excited at the opportunity to use the animal's presence in the room for any number of teachable moments, especially fostering an appreciation for all animals, fuzzy, scaly or otherwise. However, got a few questions before I move forward.



-I have an old neodesha (3 footer) from my days keeping snakes. On the one hand, it is a nice enclosure, on the other hand, would humidity and lighting be an issue here? Would a heat pad be sufficient if the dragon is getting natural sunlight from the windows? Or do I scrap the neo and simply use an aquarium to put a light on the screen?



-I understand that there are no perfect substitutes for live prey, but would I be alright mainly feeding meal or superworms as opposed to crickets in addition to the greens? I only ask in order to avoid having the crickets inevitably get loose in the room and having my teaching teammates upset with me and their new six legged visitors? On that note (please forgive me) are there any pellets that have been developed to be a sufficient substitute for crickets/live prey?



-Lastly, I understand that reptiles as pets tend to have people project "personalities" onto them, but in general are not going to be as affectionate or tame as dogs, cats, birds, etc. However, compared to a snake, how much higher a level of interaction is possible with the beardie in comparison? Could one honestly say that their beardie prefers or seeks out their company?



I do love reptiles and only got out of the hobby because of a relocation to Alaska, but now that I am back in the lower 48, I have been itching to get back into it. I'm new to dragons, but not to the hobby in general, so please rest assured that the animal I get will be accomadated to the best of my ability and kept safe in my classroom and at home. Thanks for any and all replies, and with any luck, I'll be contributing to the next generation of informed, compassionate reptile hobbyists.



p.s. - Yes, my screen name is a reference to the Brad Paisley song.

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• Dragon in the classroom and other ?'s - Imgonnamissher, Wed Aug 27 18:16:44 2008
• RE: Dragon in the classroom and other ?'s - BDlvr, Thu Aug 28 16:03:46 2008