Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am preparing to buy some beardies and have read and read and read until my eyes are running down my face. It seems that there is quite a bit of contradiction in the caresheets I read as well as on forums etc. I have an appropriately sized cage, lined with non-adhesive shelf liner. I have the proper basking spot and correct heat gradients. I have a hide. Pretty simple cage thus far. My plan is to obtain some younger dragons...perhaps not babies....but definitely not adults!

Anyway, my questions. Is it vital that I have a UVB fixture, or can I maintain my plan of exposing them to direct sunlight on a daily basis? Also, can I keep them on a diet of pellets only as some suggest, soaked in Pedialyte or must I supplement with veggies and prey items? If prey items, my path lies nearer to roaches as crickets offend my olfactories! Also, it seems that roaches would be a bit easier...I have done research and that is where my problem arises. My research is flawed with contradictions! I love this forum and have been coming here for years....I know that my questions have answers but I am hoping that I can get a deluge of the same response

I would love to maintain my dragons on pellets and veggies alone but for some reason that just seems too easy. I also have Cresteds that eat nothing but baby food and the CGD, so the possibiity exists that the Pellets could do the same as the advertisements for the pellets suggest..

Help?

Well, they make the pellets to be a complete diet, so technically I guess you could use only pellets. Personally I would think it would be better to give them variety and encourage their hunting instincts with insects. I give salads mixed w/ pellets in the morning, and insects in the afternoon, so I know they are getting a well-balanced diet and plenty of variety.

As for UVB, if they get daily sunlight I don't think it's neccessary.

Any reason why you want to get two? Do you know that unless you're 100% positive they are both female and get along, you'll probably need two cages, right?

Anyways, you're doing a great job with the research and it sounds like you're getting everything right. Some say roaches are even better than crickets if you can get a good colony going. You're right that there is a lot of conflicting information everywhere you go, so you are doing the best thing possible by researching. That way when you get opposite opinions you can personally make an educated decision based on what you've learned. That is the most important thing, IMO.

Good luck!
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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

Thanks Amanda (incidentally you are one the posters I always read)!
Also, I may be obtaining more than one (just not sure) and space and enclosures are two things I have an abundance of! Good to know that about the UV.

So veggies and pellets soaked in Pedialyte are definite staples. Throw in some lobsterroaches (thinner exo) for good measure (calcium coated)and I should be good to go then?

Sounds great!

One more thing to add, if you get them young they will need more insect protien than an adult, so you can start them off with roaches, but taper it off greatly by the time they are full grown so the only need a few a week.

And remember the roaches should be small enough to fit between their eyes.

Sounds like you've got it figured out, though.
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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

Personally all the beardies I have had like living together. As long as it is not two males. As far as the pellets are concerned they probably would be ok if your beardies even decided that they want to eat them (mine won't). But they love chasing insects and it is quite amusing to watch and it gives them some exercise. Most beardies are quite lazy creatures so it is good.

"Personally all the beardies I have had like living together."

Consider yourself lucky. I've heard way too many stories of stress, injuries, and death to risk it, nor would I care to deal with the potential flood of offspring.
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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

Be careful with givin them sunlight with glass cages, because the glass filters out some of the important rays, screen and special types of glass work fine tho i think

No worries!

Built a spot for them outdoors. No glass and I usually get a little bit of sun with them so they shall not be unsupervised!

Not sure if I should ask this in another thread but...

What are the best prey items? I have seen so many different things....

IMO silkworms, roaches or gutloaded crickets are going to be the most nutritious. Waxworms, superworms, and mealworms only as a treat, and the latter two only for adults.
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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

Regarding silkworms, I have never even seen them so are they bulky? What I mean is, can I feed adult silkworms to younger dragons?

Did that make sense?

>>Regarding silkworms, I have never even seen them so are they bulky? What I mean is, can I feed adult silkworms to younger dragons?
>>
>>Did that make sense?

Yes they get bulky but they don't start out that way. For younger dragons(depending on how young we're talkin') I'd feed worms that were maybe a couple of inches long. There are all different sizes you can order and they grow pretty fast. Silkies are the only feeder insect I use for a staple and personally I think they're awesome.

They don't smell, hardly ever move and are supposed to be more nutritious than crix. Some here swear by roaches so I wouldn't rule those out just yet.

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Rob Talkington