Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

I just got off the phone with a breeder who has been in practice for almost a decade about purchasing a beardie. I am very excited at the possibility. I wanted to get your opinion on the following ideas:

Can I use sunshine bulbs for adequate UVB with calcium and vitamin dusting? I have a Chinese Water Dragon with MBD and his high demand of UVB forces me to get Reptisun, but I wonder if I could save a couple of bucks using this brand...?
Can I use household bulbs as a heat source? Obviously I would have to experiment to get the right wattage, but I am just curious.
Are there any other substrates (outside of sand) that works well with Beardies? I'm just thinking easier to clean, I suppose.

Please throw lots of information at me.
And please don't yell I am trying very hard to learn everything I can before purchasing. I am an experienced owner that has raised CWD, Chameleons, Ball pythons, and geckos. I have always used the "fail proof" method, and I would like to explore all my options now.
Thanks
T
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)

Go with the reptisun for the bearded dragons as well. They need as much UVB you can safely give them. Other substrates other than sand are papertowels, newspaper, non-stick shelf liner, plastic table cloths, repti-carpet, parcel paper wrapping. Washed playsand I personally don't like at all, but this can be used with dragons over 10" long though there is always a risk of impaction.

There are tons of good caresheets online for bearded dragon care, as well as several good books. Deffinitely do as m uch research as you can, read past posts here as well.
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PHLdyPayne

Hi. I agree with the previous post on the UVB light. To answer your question on the houshold bulbs for heating, yes you can use them. I myself use a outside flood light for the basking spot, but you have to make sure you get the right wattage for your cage. It can't be too strong or you will overheat your dragon. I also have a regular indoor bulb for overall cage temp, it keep my tank around eighty degrees. As for substrate I use shelf liner, again it is relatively cheap, and it is easy to clean. Well, I think tht answered your questions, if you have anymore feel free to post and I as well as others should be able to help. Also I wanted to congradulate you on your methods of obtaining your new pet, too many people are impulse buyers. Breeders are always the best route to go, ecspecially if they are establsihed. Also, please don't be intimidaated about asking questions, if any of us yell it is because far too often people don't handle things the way you are. It is only after the fact that they ask what the basics are of caring for their dragon. However, I would prefer that they ask questions too late, than not to ask at all. The only ones who will suffer are the Beardies, so I always strive to answer any one who needs help. So, thank you for doing your research, and 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 Female Sandfire X Blood Aboriginie Red 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 lost my baby blizzard before I even picked out a name. May he/she Rest in Peace

Thank you for your kind words.
Unforntunately I am learning from experience...
I have bought pets on impulse and we have all suffered greatly because of it. I will not do it again.
I am trying my best to be prepared this time, but it is certainly not easy. There is so much information out there, and so much of it contradicts something I've previously heard or read. It is hard to know what sources to trust, when so many people have been doing things so differntly for years... and all claim success.
I'll admit, no matter how good you might be with your own pets... switching to a new kind of reptile is always overwhelming. There is so much to learn, and it stinks to find yourself at ground zero all over again.
Of course, if done properly, the outcome far outweighs these troubles.
I haven't had a baby reptile in several years and I have never had a bearded dragon, so I need all the help I can get in starting over. Please feel free to send me to any and all resources you have come to trust and tips and tricks you've picked up along the way.

A little bit Lost,
T
Taniamc@gmail.com
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)

Just spoke with the breeder again, here is the information I got from her:

She has Inland Yellows and Golds, 4 - 6 weeks old (about 2.5 inches from snout to vent).

That way you know exactly what I'm getting when you're answering my questions
I also posted on in the Housing and Enclosures forum about a cage I found... if you wanna reply to that.
Can I just say THANKS for all the help guys!?
THANKS!
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)

You are right that alot of caresheets and information about bearded dragon care does contradict eachother. Some people have used calci-sand with their dragons for years with no problems. Dragons can be raised on it for their entire lives without ever being impacted. What needs to be remembered is with any loose substrate, there is a RISK of impaction. Alot of people forget that in saying this is perfectly safe, or they never had problems using it etc.

What you need to do is keep track of the common points, more than the contridicting ones. Basking temp range, safest substrate to use, best prey items/greens to use, frequency of feeding and volumn fed, UVB bulbs, basking bulbs, cage types and sizes, etc. Some of these care aspects vary according to the age of the animal as well. In general, younger reptiles need more food with high protein, fat and nutrients. Adult animals need much less protein and fat. Breeding females tend to need more protein, fat and certain nutrients to sustain not only herself but the developing eggs/embryols (if she is a live bearer). Also she needs more energy to dig a nesting site and lay eggs/babies. It takes alot of energy to do all that and still maintain her own health. Non breeding females (either not being bred, no longer producing eggs, or just hasn't) don't need as much food to live healthily. Males do need a bit more energy in stored fat, as many won't eat during the breeding season, whether there are females around or not. Their harmone levels are telling them it's time to mate and that is what they are thinking of doing, not eating anything. All animals have a biological urge to breed, to spread their strong genes to the next generation, to ensure species survival. Humans are the only 'animals' who do not undergo a strong biological urge to reproduce. At least we can easily control reproduction. If a woman doesn't want to have a child, she won't make out with a male, and vise versa.

Anyway, wondered a bit off path on that last point.
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PHLdyPayne

Thank you all for all your informative replies and encouragement.
I truly appreciate it.

Unforntunately, it appears it will be a while before I get to own the baby that I have so desired. Due to poor health in the family and the slight chance of having to drop everything and leave town... my husband thinks it would be best to wait a while before obtaining yet another pet. I am sure we could work around such a situation, but perhaps he is right. There is a better time in the future where I will have more time, attention, and energy to pour into a new family member. Of course, I am extremely disappointed. I had done so much research and had lined up a cage and a baby...
*sigh*
Anyways, sorry if you feel that I wasted your time.
My only hope is that I still remember all the great advice you've given me when I can finally make my purchase.
Love and Good Wishes towards you and all of yours
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)

We talked about it and I'm just waiting till after x-mas ish...
So we're getting a cage all set up and will be completley prepared for our new baby.
Hurray.
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~~Tania~~
Jake (Chinese Water Dragon)
Peter (House Gecko)
Mosley (Maltese Shi Tzu Mix)
RIP Mary (House Gecko)