Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive been reading the monitor forums for quite some time now thinking i was going to purchase a Blackthroat, but a co-worker just happened to have a beardie his kids got bored with it so im gonna make it my first reptile experience.
So i read in the care sheet that u can feed them pinkies does anyone feed them to theirs?? The previous owner did not feed them to him or attepmt it. The beardie is 1 1/2 old and I do not know the sex its about 18" long and help or an email to talk things over with would be great. thanks

Welcome! Personally, I don't feed mine pinkies, however, there are many that do. Pinkies should be given as an occassional treat, as they have more fat than nutritional content. They are good to give to a female that has recently laid eggs, to help get her strength back. I recently acquired a female that had been fed pinkies & crix exclusively. However, when I offered her one, she refused it. Hope this helps!

ToniaD

P. S. Here's a link to a site with excellent photos that may help you with sexing your new dragon.
http://www.dachiu.com/sexing.html

Good thing on getting thaat beardie out of the bad situation and doing better for it. I don't think many people feed pinkies regularly. Crickets, and since yours is bigger superworms would also be good. If you beardie isn't used to hunting down crickets, it may be better with superworms. It's also good to get a variety of greens, collard, mustard, some others I can't think of the names of at the moment. Also, you may want to get it used to repcal pellets, just in case you have to leave it with someone who isn't willing to touch bugs, and they're a pretty good food. I hope that's helpful to you, and I hope we get some pics of the beardie.

I'll buy a camera soon, then ill have to learn how to post pics.
The beardie is in great shape. There father was takin great care of it, he knew i was very intrested in reptiles(work removed my internet cuz i spent all day on Kingsnake.com).

As soon as i get him/her, I'll name it once sex is determined.
how does "Ralph or Chloe" sound. Anyways, The beardie is used to chasing down crikets and superworms and has been feed greens and such. Ill try the pellets that were mentioned. I dont remember a feeding schedule mentioned, now all i need is the schedule and ill be well on my way to enjoying my new pet.

heres my ralph!!!

-----
~David
KDRKreatures-Home Page
My Email

As the dragon is already a year and half old, he should only be fed crickets two or three times a week, offered mixed greens (collard greens, mustard greens, Escaroli, dandelions, Enchive as stables daily. Romaine, parsley, alfalfa sprouts, mixed frozen vegetables (thawed and bigger pieces chopped), zuccine, bell peppers can be added as garnish and variety. Fruit and flowers can be offered as treats as well, such as strawberries, grapes, melons bananas (rarely!), hisbiscus flowers, dandelion flowers, there are a few others but can't think of them right now). Greens should be offered daily every day. As the heat lamps tend to dry out the greens fairly quickly, either mist them regularly throughout the day or replace in the early evening (5pm or so).

Crickets are good to feed them, dust them once a week with a calcium suppliment and multi vitamin. (repcal with D3, reptimines). Mealworms and superworms can be given as a treat or to use for training but not to excess. Waxworms and pinkies both have alot of fat content and should be used as mentioned before, to females after laying eggs or to beardies recovering from illness. Silkworms can be fed instead of crickets though they tend to cost more. To offset cost, they are bigger and more filling (not to mention quiet, easy to care for, easy to clean and odourless..well except for a leafy smell from their poo).

Other than food, ensure he has the proper lighting. A good UVB tube/bulb (Reptisun 5 or 8, Powersun Mercury vapour bulb, also doubles as heat) and a basking light which provides a basking site temperature of 95-105 F. Make sure there is a cool section in the cage (which by the way should be at least! 4' long by 2' wide by 2' high. Larger is always better) that is about 80F during the day. Nightime temperature should be around 75F.

Hope this covers all the basics. Oh use either paper towel or washed play sand for substrate.