Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. Well today ( and yesterday) I went to a couple pet stores just to see what they had and the prices of beardies. One had a baby for about $80 and it was a normal!! Then I went to this one today (just got back) and they had about 5 little babies. A couple were eating their little veggies!! They were so cute!!. The place was having a sale and they were $40 but on sale 30%off!! I was very happy to see them eating veggies because they are very small babies (about 4-5inches). They were all normals also. The biggest terrarium they had (which were all on sale for 20%off) was a 60 gallon so I will still be looking for a bigger one. My friend said I could borrow/take his slightly cracked aquarium (10-20 gallon) until I could find a big enclosure for him so I might do that. I have been doing a lot of research and think a beardie is the right pet for me. I will be trying to look for a male but if that doesnt happen then that's ok. Also I read that a bigger head/smaller body means male (normally) and that a small head/body normally means female. Is this true? Because I will look for a big headed one if it is. Thanks
Meghan

Ok. I went to get some supplies (which I would've done even if I wasnt getting one tomorrow probably) and this is what I have so far: ESU Reptile Slimline Fixture with the Desert 7% UVB lamp (Do they need UVA also??), Calcium powder with D3 no phospherous, a reptile cave, and a shallow water dish. I know for sure I still need bedding (which I will be using paper towels like suggested), crickets (small), a log/climbing thing for it to climb on, a food bowl, and do they need vitamins cuz if so then I will need that too. I know I also need a terrarium which Im getting tomorrow from a friend. I think it is a 10 gallon so if it's too small for all the stuff plus the beardie then I will borrow my other friend's bigger (i think 20 gallon) tank. Is there anything else I need? Thanks
Meghan

Sounds like you're pretty set. You still need to pick up a basking light in addition to the UVB light you got. Any spotlight or floodlight from walmart will work and be a lot cheaper than the "reptile" basking lights that are the same thing just repackaged. I generally keep the setups for babies pretty simple; paper towels, a hide is optional, a stick or rock to bask on, and a small water dish (this is my choice and is arguable either way just make sure it's no deeper than its shoulders, baby food lids work good). Yes they need vitamins a couple times a week (I use vitall on the ones that get separate calcium and vitamins). Head size really doesn't mean much as babies and isn't very acurate, you would be much better off looking for the bumps (hemipenis or lack of). Good luck and post some pics after you get the little guy.

Sean
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Heart Mountain Herps

I already have a basking light. Are red/black lights ok to use durnig the day? I have a lot of them that are around 50-100 watts. I have a normal heat bulb but it is 160 watts and I thought that'd hard to keep the cool end temp down. Is a tank with a slight crack in it a problem? My friend said he can get me any size tank I need but it would have some damage (like a slight crack, etc) but nothing big. I didnt think it would be a problem but Im not sure. Also can anyone tell me how big of a pre-made tank I can put in a 40 inches W X 25 inches L area? That is as much space as I have to put the tank. I would like to get the best possible tank so my BD can have as much space as possible. He wont be in the tank all the time so it's not like he's going to stay in there forever. Thanks
Meghan

Use a regular 100 watt bulb for basking. Cracks are no problem. A 55 gallon tank is MINIMUM for an adult dragon. Bigger the better. Good luck!

David- KDRKreatures
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KDRKreatures.com
Exotic Reptile Breeders - Specializing in Bearded Dragons

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