Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello!

This is my first post as a brand-new baby beardie owner! I've had lots of other reptiles before but my new little one is my first bearded dragon.

S/he is five weeks old and I have her in a ten gallon with screen top, 100 watt basking lamp, UVB/UVA light, shelf liner substrate, and hide log. There is also an undertank heater (the tank was previously used to raise a baby corn snake) but I haven't really used it because I've heard it's unsafe for beardies. I feed the baby greens (hasn't eaten any that I've seen) and five tiny crickets coated in Reptocal powder twice daily. I also mist her/him twice daily.

My questions are:

1. Is Reptocal brand powder an okay supplement? It contains calcium and D3, but also phosphorus, which I've heard is bad...any info?

2. Is the 100 watt lamp too hot? S/he seems to love basking but will also use the cool side of the tank...I would say she spends maybe 60% of her time under the lamp and 40% on the other end.

3. Should I use the undertank heater at all? Maybe at night?

4. Is five crickets each feeding enough? Is it okay that she doesn't seem to eat her veggies?

5. I also don't see her lick the water droplets off of her face. Should I bathe her so she doean't get dehydrated?

Okay, I think that's it. I've done my research but have found conflicting info and wanted to know what everyone thought. She is just so tiny and fragile-looking, I want to make sure she's okay.

Thanks!

Congratulations on the new baby! Here are some answers to questions that I know of. Keep in mind I am not an expert, this is just from reading the Bearded Dragon Manual by Herpetocultural Library Society series or something like that.

1. Repcal supplement is what I use on all my animals because it is Phosphorous free. It can be bought at any local pet store for around 5-6 dollars. Its a fine powdered calcium suppliment and this brand name also offers a vitamin suppliment as well that I would recommend getting. Dust crickets or feeder insects with the calcium 2-3 times a week and vitamins once a week is what I've been doing with my hatchlings.

2. 100w lamp is not too hot provided there is atleast 6-8 inches of space between the highest basking point and the lamp. Baby beardies are easily susceptible to burns, so are adults. They love basking really close to the heat and the ratio of 60/40 hot side cool side is normal. That is just how they regulate their body temperature.

3. I would not recommend using the undertank heater unless there was atleast 1.5-2 inches of sand between the bottom of the tank and the beardy. Now since this is a hatchling/5 week? I wouldn't recommend using sand as it can easily impact the baby's digestive system. What are you using now? I have all of mine on paper towels.

4. I would feed calcium dusted crickets to the baby until it stops eating them. Some hatchlings can eat between 10-20 in one sitting, others even more. If the baby still appears hungry then give it some more crickets. Just, dont leave any uneaten crickets inside the tank. Crickets can get hungry and turn your baby into cricket food and destroy the baby.

5. I've been told that hatchlings up until about 8-10 inches long should not be held for long amounts of time, and if they are held they should be left inside the tank. This is because of the fragility of the bones. If I need to transport my hatchlings I usually get a small container with a lid and let them walk into it and place the lid on before moving them. They are quick little things and I wouldn't want to see you dropping it. If you are really worried about dehydration and you are misting the tank twice a day thoroughly then you can try soaking the baby in a SMALL 1/8" amount of unflavored pedialite which will help give the baby some nutrients as well as hydration.

Good luck. Ask if you have any questions.
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"Speak softly to my lizard fair nor raise your hand to me, For they are quick to take offense And quicker to champion me." ~Anne McCaffrey.

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