Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, to continue from the thread below, we have a Bearded Baby Adventure underway, Robyn and Chris Allen, raising babies in contrasting styles.

Well, my partner Chad just heard about it, and he wants to play too. So there is a third entrant to the "raise three babies" challenge.

It really isn't a challenge, not a competition, more-so a husbandry trial of sorts. The goal is to raise healthy, strong, outstanding Beardeds.

Anyone else want to play? BDlvr? Kevin? Virus? Lady Payne? Anyone?
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robyn@proexotics.com

ShipYourReptiles.com
Pro Exotics Reptiles

Cool. I only have dragons cooling now, so it will be a little while before I have babies again to start the competition( I mean "comparison".
chris allen

Kind of already played. I raised all of my baby dragons from this past season the "advanced" way...but now I am out of eggs!Very interested to see how this "challenge" plays out!

Well I love a good competition and have given it a lot of thought. It is just not where I am right now. I am into rescue/rehab and I'd hate to turn down an animal in need because of space requirements. I have always recorded all of my dragons weights and lengths every week from birth to death. Pretty much all the babies here grow an inch a week, even the rescues that are 6" at 6 months start growing an inch a week after they get acclimated here. I am doubtful that better results are possible. Plus husbandry is just so much more than temp. so the results will be inconclusive.

A better thing would be to take in very sick dragons and try different strategies to rehabilitate them. 2 weeks ago I took in Raxx (male) and Rhea (female), they are 6-7 years old and about 18 inches long. They are some of the worst I've seen Raxx weighed 205 and Rhea weighed 187. I would not have believed adult dragons of their size could be alive at those weights. Sadly, Raxx died this week. He had undigested food in his stomach that poisoned him. Giving him correct husbandry allowed him to purge but he was just too emaciated to handle the stress. Rhea has put on about 25 good grams. She is a challenge, if she eats too much she regurgitates. I'm optimistic for her though. She has a good spirit.

These are the challenges I'm interested in today. Raising babies? that's just too easy. I'd be happy to share my weight/length data with anyone if they're interested.

Though I expect both methods are going to produce healthy and happy dragons, it will be interesting to see the final results.

Unfortunately I do not have the means to jump into the 'experiment'. Funds are limited and space even more so and increasing my collection just isn't possible. Course, if somebody wants to ship me all the equipment and the animals..I will be happy to do the work LOL.
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PHLdyPayne

Sounds fun

I don't think there will be big differences in size and growth. The big differences will be what the animals are allowed to do behaviourally, or not forced to do.

For instance, my dragons will not be bathed. They will be allowed to remain hydrated behaviorally.

They will be fed 3/8 inch crickets from hatchlings and be on 3/4 inch crickets by 6-7 weeks old. By the time the are around 9 inches, their diet will include supers a few times a week.

They will be able to excavate their own hides.

Depending on what time of the year they are hatched, they will be able to brumate properly. By excavating a humid burrow and back filling the entrance shut. Staying inside as long as they feel fit. Never being dug up for a bath.

Also, if the females lay eggs, they will be able to do so with in the enclosure. Never having to be removed.

Furthermore, and the ultimate test of husbandry, the eggs will be able to incubate with in the enclosure, inside the soil where the female laid them.

My predictions

I'd love to participate, but haven't the space in the house right now. I just took in a leopard gecko from a relative and the enclosure is taking up my last bit of space. I'm really excited to see this play out though. Let the games begin!