Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Some background first. I work in a pet store. My soon to be 16 yr old son recently started working there too. He fell in love with the personality of the adult bearded dragon there. He asked his father (who is not an animal person)if he could have a lizard. Amazingly, he said yes.

Getting this baby was going to be a surprise birthday present for him since he's been saving to get it himself. His birthday is in 12 days. If I am to get the supplies I need, I will have to do it soon. I have a 40 gallon tank that we were planning on using.

Now, I know the basic care but looked into more details. We had thought that the major diet would be pellets and veggies, supplemented with crickets. After reading the past posts, I now realize that they eat ALOT of crickets. Knowing how much they can smell, I cannot see my husband being happy with this.
My son was soooo upset when I talked to him about my conclusion.

Is it possible to raise healthy beardies with soft/moist and regular pellets, veggies, wax worms and some gut loaded crickets? Other sites say yes. What should I do?

I dont think crickets smell... Mabey its just the crickets from the pet shop that smell...?
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Joey And His Bro. , Beardie Br0thaz

Since it is an adult, they do eat less crickets. Your plan should work fine. You can also give him a few mealworms and waxworms as treats. Silkworms (ordered online) are also a great substitute for crickets. If the dragon eats moistened pellets and veggies now, you're home free.
Throw in a Bearded Dragon Care Book for a present too!
Sounds like a wonderful Birthday gift!
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TheClassyLizard

Where do you get your crickets from? I usually have 3000 at all time and they stink up the whole room! Ewwww. What else can I say?

There are breeders that have bearded dragons that don't eat crickets or eat less. Much less.

BeginnersBasic's bearded dragons eat canned crickets

Toma and Jackie Vandiver wean their dragons off of crickets by the time they're sold.

I also believe Joel Roberts doesn't feed crickets, but I could totally be wrong on that one.

I have 6 bearded dragons right now, and they eat lots of crickets. It is not easy to get them off until they're sub-adults or adults.

We use 2 big things that filter the air (its late and i cant think of what its called), it used to smell really bad cuz we have like 80 geckos, but now it doesnt smell at all.
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Joey And His Bro. , Beardie Br0thaz

when you aren't so tired can you try and think of what those are (I'm assuming they are just air purifiers) and what brand? I'm looking for something that will allow me to keep a tub or 2 of crickets in rooms that I actually use...

Yea, thats what they are. They are both Bionaire.
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Joey And His Bro. , Beardie Br0thaz

I think the 40 gal is too small for an adult too. I also don't really agree in trying to customize your pets to fit YOUR needs. Get pets with care requirements you can handle..but in this case I think if you make sure to try very hard to give a BIG variety and male sure the diet has enough protien it COULD work...but working at a petstore...why couldn't you just bring the crickets home daily?

If you can afford silkworms..go for it.

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MY Dragons!!

"BeginnersBasic's bearded dragons eat canned crickets"

Eeerrrrrr Wrong lol Mine eat frozen crix.

>>Where do you get your crickets from? I usually have 3000 at all time and they stink up the whole room! Ewwww. What else can I say?
>>
>>There are breeders that have bearded dragons that don't eat crickets or eat less. Much less.
>>
>>BeginnersBasic's bearded dragons eat canned crickets
>>
>>Toma and Jackie Vandiver wean their dragons off of crickets by the time they're sold.
>>
>>I also believe Joel Roberts doesn't feed crickets, but I could totally be wrong on that one.
>>
>>I have 6 bearded dragons right now, and they eat lots of crickets. It is not easy to get them off until they're sub-adults or adults.
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Lisa
www.beginnersbasics.com

Isnt a 40gal a little too small for an adult?
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Joey And His Bro. , Beardie Br0thaz

I believe a 40 gallon breeder is okay for an adult. Ideally, bigger is better, but 40 should work. Besides, it seems like bearded dragons are getting smaller and smaller.

If you haven't purchased your 40 gallon yet, be sure it's a 40 gallon breeder. They have more floor space, which is what a beardie needs. I bought 2 40s secondhand, and didn't see them till I picked them up. They are regular 40s, too narrow for a beardie to even turn around in - oh, well, my boa and chain king like their new tanks. LOL!
As for crckets, I got my first dragon as an adult so I wouldn't have to have crickets on hand. Adults do just fine with pellets and plenty of healthy greens, and just bugs for an occasional treat (which working in a pet store should be easy). Maybe once a week or so bring home 18-24 crickets (depending on your dragon, and how many he'll eat at one sitting) and dust them with calcium and vitamins, and throw them in. You'll be surprised how entertaining a hunting dragon can be!
For the right veggies, get a good book that lists healthy foods, and take it right to the store with you the first few times. Good luck, and let us know!

He fell in love with Beardies but were are going to get a baby (the adult is $250, thank you very much) I guess we have an advantage of seeing if one will eat pellets in the store before bringing it home. They are waiting to order it for me.

I work part-time and not everyday. This would also be my son's pet and responsibility for care and cost so bringing home crickets from work is okay but I still would have to buy the crickets so bulk would be less expensive.

I wonder if I can get silkworms through work. I know I can get waxworms for sure.

Thanks and keep those ideas coming. I don't feel as depressed right now.

I have 2 juvies, they are total pigs. They love crickets, but also eat meal worms, meal worm beatles, wax worms, wax worm flies, regular flies, ladybugs, ants, pinkies as well as veggies. They even try to eat my fingers. IMO, I think what ever you decide to feed them, they will get used to it.
On another note, yes, crickets stink when their water source gets old, but I think the beardies stink too....well, their excraments. Just keep the cage clean and you shouldn't have any issues.
Good luck.
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