Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I am awaiting the arrival of my 1st beardie ... he's supposed to arrive Tuesday. He's about a 9" long Sundial Coral and his picture looks gorgeous! I have the tank and will be setting it up this weekend, I've ordered the light/hood and some BD food as well (hopefully to arrive prior to the dragon!) We already have the calcium/vitamins, crickets, veggies, etc.
I'd been researching lizards for a bit when my oldest daughter decided to get a crested gecko (I had been trying to influence her towards a BD) so anyhow... I decided to get the BD for myself. I guess the only question I have atm would be how many crickets should I expect this guy to eat/day? Our little crestie only eats like 2-3/day.

Well, just a little bit about me ... I've always loved animals of all types .. I got my first lizard when I was probably 10yrs old? It was a "chameleon" or that's what they labeled anoles at that time! Of course it didn't have a terribly long life, but it was my first introduction to lizards. We've had everything from dogs and cats to a corn snake since I've been married (parents put their foot down at a snake in the house!) I also used to be a licensed wildlife rehabilitator but have since let my license lapse with little kids in the house that want to be "hands on". So in that venue I've had everything from a baby rats & bats to flying squirrels to baby bluebirds, vulture, bald eagle, etc... (luckily my DH is REALLY understanding and puts up with me ... like when he walks into the bathroom to get ready for work one winter morning and finds a grebe swimming in his bathtub!)

Currently, I am owned by:
1:0 husband
1:3 two footed kids
1:1 maltese/husky
1:0 cat
1:0 pionus parrot
3:0 fish
1:0 crested gecko
1:0 (awaited beardie!)

-Bonnie

Hi! Welcome to the wonderful world of beardies. Be careful though...they're like pringles, you just keep wanting more, lol. Your guy can't really overeat on crickets at this age (he's still a growing boy). Expect him to eat at least 50 a day, could be more. Gordo used to pound down 100 crickets a day. Anyway, just let him eat what he wants as long as you offer the greens. You seem to have things under control, since you seem to have researched extensively before looking into getting one. That's refreshing, let me tell you. Good luck with your new guy and I expect pictures when you get him! Any other questions, just ask.
-Nicky
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We chase misprinted lies
We face the path of time
And yet I fight...
And yet I fight
This battle all alone
No one to cry to
No place to call home
-Alice In Chains-
1.1 Bearded Dragons: Gordo & Chiquita
2.2 Cats: Zeus, Remi, Kiki & Delilah

Hi Bonnie,

Welcome! I am new to bd's, too. Have other herps but just got Darwin in April. He was just shy of 2 months and I was feeding him 1/4" crickets (do you know the whole length of feeder no longer than width of head rule?) and he would easily eat 30-50/day! I'd been warned! My cham, Luna, eats much less and I was used to her weird pigouts and fasts! lol!

Anyway, I also feed him 1/2"-3/4" silkworms, which I put on top of his salad for breakfast. he will eat 10-15 and then he gets his dusted crickets for "lunch". He is now about 4 1/2 months so is eating larger crickets (he has grown nearly 3 inches in 2 months)and does not eat quite as many - probably 20, but those silkies add up. Btw, they are naturally high in calcium.

here's a pic - can't wait to see yours!

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0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

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