I've been reading over the forum for a little over an hour now and finally decided to join. I'm from NE Ohio, and I'm the proud mama of 4 bearded dragons. I got my first one, a male named Taylor, back in April. About a week ago I got my second, a baby German Giant named Gojira, and last night a girl I used to work with gave me two of hers that she couldn't take care of anymore. One's a large male named Rocky, and the other's a smaller male with a calcium deficency(sp?) named Slim. They're in a 55 gallon tank together, and while I've read that two males cannot get along, they've been together since they were babies and I don't have the heart to seperate them. Besides, Rocky likes to give Slim piggyback rides, because Slim's hind legs don't work due to his lack of calcium (he was born like that). I'll keep an eye on them to make sure no fighting happens, though, but the girl had them for a while without any signs of an argument.
I'd like to know what I can do to help Slim's back shed; it's hard and sort of crispy, I soaked him once today and misted the tank down but there's no signs of peeling and it looks like he's needed to shed it for at least a few weeks now. Also, Slim and Rocky's cage have no toys or anything in it, any suggestions as to what I can buy them to make them happy? I was thinking about one of the reptile hammocks, but I'd be afraid of Slim climbing up and then falling out and injuring his legs.
One last thing: my baby Giant's on paper towels, which I plan to leave him on until he's much, much bigger. However, Taylor's on the ground up walnut shells and while I've read it's not good for them due to impaction, I've never seen him eat any of it. Slim and Rocky are on CalciSand, and I'd rather put them on something else as I don't like the way it stains the skin of most reptiles, but I don't want to put them on the walnut shells either. I also don't want to use paper towels, for the simple reason Taylor likes to dig and dig, and it seems Rocky's the same way. Any suggestions as to what I can use for bedding that's safe for them? Looking nice is a bonus, but isn't important compared to the health of my babies.
Also, if you have any tips, hints, suggestions, etc. on how I can make my beardies' lives happier and more fun, then by all means let me know! I want them to have the best lives they can! ^_^ I have many other pets besides beardies too, but since this -is- a beardie community I'll just keep those other questions aside until I hit the proper forum!
