Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I just bought my beardie last week and the pet store said she was about 8 months old. Anyways, I bought her and the cage and setup that she was already in and brought her home. The aquarium had calci-sand on the bottom and I've noticed A LOT of posts on here about how that is very bad for them. Well, I have a few questions here, considering I have never owned a bearded dragon before:
1. If the calci-sand is bad, what would be a better option? Also, my beardie loves to burrow and dig in the sand, especially before she goes to sleep at night.

2. She doesn't seem to be eating much at all. I've seen her eat maybe 2 crickets since I've had her, although there were more than that in the tank, and I can't seem to find them now. Everyday I put new veggies (mustard greens, melon, carrot pieces, banana) in there, and they don't look like they are ever touched. Any ideas on what to try instead so that she eats better?

3. A lot of the posts also mention using a UVB light on the tank, and the store did not have one on my beardies tank when I bought her. What kind of UVB lights are best and would I leave it on all day, or just when she is awake?

Thanks for any info I can get. Being new to this, the more help the better to make my little beardie happy and healthy!

Hi. First of all, sand is an iffy option. I am personally paranoid and never use it. Some say it is okay for adults, but if you decide to use it, you should feed in a different tank. I use shelf liner in my beardies cage, ( the kind without adhesive) It is pretty cheap, and you can clean it easily. Tequila (my beardie) loves to hide underneath it, so if yours likes to hide maybe that is an option. Second, I would like to advise that you really shouldn't always listen to what the pet store employees tell you. Half the time they have no idea what they are talking about. Beardies DO need a UVB bulb, I use the reptisun 5.0. It is realtivly cheap under $20. They also need a temperature gradient. Which leads to my next suggestion. There are all kinds of websites on beardie care, just do a search for beardie caresheets, or use the link caresheets on here. As for her not eating, all repitles take a little while to adjust to their new enviorment. Allow them that time. Leave them alone for a while, stress is easily caused in younger reptiles. I think I covered all your questions. I am not a pro at this, but I only give advise that I have learned personally. Feel free to ask me anything else you would like to know. Good luck.
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7 Leos
Milo(my adult male) Mongo, Raptor,and Spaz
Popeye and Boo(named after Monster's Inc. Character)sex unknown, but I am pretty sure they are females.
Pumpkin the Patternless (he's a boy too.)
1 blizzard sex unknown and no name as of yet, I just got him/her

1 8 month old. Female Bearded Dragon. Tequila Sunrise, Tequila for short

1 dog
Baby (Peekapoo)

2 Cats
Mr. Kitty and Shelly (my adopted senior citizen. She's 14!)

Leave the UVB bulb only during the day, the best thing to do is get a timer for all your lights, so they come on and go off at the same time everyday. They can be picked up in walmart or in pet stores. I just use a regular household light timer.
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7 Leos
Milo(my adult male) Mongo, Raptor,and Spaz
Popeye and Boo(named after Monster's Inc. Character)sex unknown, but I am pretty sure they are females.
Pumpkin the Patternless (he's a boy too.)
1 blizzard sex unknown and no name as of yet, I just got him/her

1 8 month old. Female Bearded Dragon. Tequila Sunrise, Tequila for short

1 dog
Baby (Peekapoo)

2 Cats
Mr. Kitty and Shelly (my adopted senior citizen. She's 14!)

i dont have one, but i work in a petsmart lol. If your basking temp isnt high (about 100 or so), he may not be able to digest his food, so he wont be that hungry. just a thought