Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,

I am funkymonkey from the UK,
I already have 4 collared lizards at home living happily in their home made viv, but i am thinking of spreading my wings and getting into beardies as well.

firstly can someone tell me what sort of conditions, heat, and humidity wise is ideal for them.

and also how do you get colouration such as the yellows and oranges i have seen on the pics,

I assume it's not just a simply case of plenty of carrot's in their diet.

I would be intending on breeding them so any advice would be great.

cheers all.

funky

I think a great place to start reading up on bearded dragon needs is beautifuldragons.com
That website has everything from a caresheet, to nutritional info on different food items, to growth charts, to tests on different types of UV bulbs..... lots of good stuff.

But there are a lot of bearded dragon caresheets out there. Most will have slightly varying information (and some is just BAD info) but personally I think the best thing to do is read every caresheet you can find, and if you see the same suggestions over and over you'll know it's probably good advise. Then if you have any questions ask experienced keepers like some of the good folks here.

As for colors, you're right it has nothing to do with carrots (carrots are actually a bad food choice for beardies). Color has to do with their bloodlines. There are lots of different morphs, from yellow, to white, to red, to orange. But it's hard to tell when they are babies. If you want to be 100% sure you're getting a nicely colored dragon buy it as an adult so you will know exactly what it looks like.
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1.0.1 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

Looking into dragons now hunh? Well they are certainly a fantasic addition to those pretty collareds.

Kephy's advice was good, read all you can, then ASK questions on what you have read.

People here will be MORE than willing to help in everyway possible !

I also have a beardie, Big Ole Cuddly Lizards, LOL

See ya down the street on Collareds !

Good luck Funky !!
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Eve

Hi Again guys,

have been looking about and it looks like the conditions are pretty similar to the ones i have my collared in.

Dry pretty warm etc etc.

The one thing pops up again as it did with the collared though as to what i keep them on.

I really do tend to go for the more natural look for my viv so sand would be preferably but i read that it can cause impaction like it can with the collareds.

I haven't had any problems yet with my collared being on sand but what would your first choice of substrate be for dragons ??

what sort of shape viv would be best, ie are they climbers, or not really.

was thinking 6ft long, 2 ft wide and 3 ft high for a pair ????

cheers for the advise, and Hi Eve,

funky

Sand is OK if you feed in a separte enclousure or you have an adult. For hatchlings and juvie.s you have to be careful and shelf liner or paper towels are the substrata of choice for those that feed in the main enclousure. Colors are bred for and you would have to hunt down the colors you were interested in and buy your Beardies from that breeder. Just be careful not to inbreed to achieve any color you are interested in.