Bearded Dragon

[tyler19]

Im getting a Bearded Dragon tomorrow and Iam so excited! i just need to pick up a light bulb while im there. Does anyone know if it is ok to use the red heat bulb or do I need a different kind?

 

[acpart]

I think the beardie needs light as well as heat. I'd recommend using a white or yellow incandescent bulb (like one of the basking floodlights) that's got enough watts to give a basking spot of 95-100 degrees. I assume you're talking about the basking light. Don't use compact florescents for the basking light; it has been linked to eye problems. You will also need a florescent light to provide UVB and the best (possibly only) one that works is the Zoomed Sunglow 10.0. It will need to be replaced every 6 months. I have been told that beardies can see red light. They really need it dark at night. It's OK to have the corresponding temperature drop.

Aliza

 

[Lena]

You need either two bulbs, one for heat, one for UVA, or a mercury vapor bulb that does both. Any halogen bulb 80-100 watts will suffice for heat. A reptisun 10.0 (No lower) is best for UVA. Make sure it spans 2/3s of the enclosure. If you go the mercury vapor bulb route, check out names like the zoomed powersun, and the mega-ray.

Trust me, the UVA/UVB is a necessity, most bulbs you find in the store won't even give enough if they offer any at all. Beardies need it to process calcium (these rays give them the D3 vitamins they need to do it.) Without it, your little one will be lethargic and could develop MBD in the future!

Make sure your heat reaches 110 degrees at the basking spot, too. It seems too hot but trust me, from experience, it's just right.

Also - Remember, never use sand or particle substrates. Make sure your enclosure is 20 gal for babies, 40 gal for adults.

For more detailed info, here's a few great resources:
http://bearded-dragons.com/boards/index.php/topic,22.0.html
http://www.herpcenter.com/bearded-dragon-caresheet.html

(EDIT: This all comes from experience, as I raised a beardie from a hatchling, and I started out with virtually no knowledge and by using this information I saw first hand what a difference proper care makes.)

 

[Jenn]

Just wanted to say congrats!! Make sure your beardie can get atleast 7" from the light.

 

[nats]

Congrats on adding a new addition to your reptile collection :main_yes:

I always say, as long as you have the resources, you cant have too many reptiles

How many lizards is this for you now? (including the one you found on the floor)

The Bearded Dragon Forum is supposed to be very helpful, have you checked it out?

 

[project1]

you need 2 light set ups for sure i use 3 the 3rd is for winter use when the cages drop to low at night but beardies need uva and uvb light so you can get the normal reptile light bulb and your gonna need a flourescent set up for the uvb light. if you got the money for the mercury vapor bulbs are nice if you can afford them! you get some nice colors from your beardies if you have the sunfires and stuff like that as well! GOOD LUCK cant wait to see your little one! that is if your gettin and little one

 

[nevinm]

the best type of light to get is a Zoo Med Power Sun, it has been proven to be the closest thing we can get to the sun. yeah its a little pricey but they are garenteed for a year through the companie, and if you get them off line they're pretty cheap bout $50.

a constaint 110 is too hot, if it goes up to 115 thats fine, but it should stay around 100. 100 degrees is perfict, that allows for fluctuation with out hurting the dragon in any way.

once the dragon reaches about 9 - 10" you can put them on play sand from home depot. just make sure you sift the sand befor you use it, you can even use the screen that is on the tank, just dump the sand on the screen so it goes right into the enclosure.

im only telling you this because there is a lot of crap out there that are peoples opinions because they had a dragon, or they talked to someone who has dragons.

we do have about 400 adult bearded dragons, and we produce thousands of babies a year. we have never had a single case of impaction, and on occations we get a birth deffect. we are also going on 12 years of breeding dragons.


ps.... im not trying to step on any ones toes, as i said this is coming form 12 years of experiance

 

[Lena]

I'd have to disagree with nevinm. From my experience 110 is best, if not a little higher.

But different dragons are said to like it hotter or cooler. Fonzie likes to sit around where it's about 110, even 115.

 

[nevinm]

again, 110 is fine, i even kept one of my own pet dragons at 115 most of the time, but for that to be constaint, it can get a little hot for them. and again this is coming from my experiance of 12 years, and not once has anything gone wrong and they all eat, EVERY SINGLE DAY. sometimes the temps have to be raised that high to encurage feeding, if the surrounding air is too cold, but again, 100 degrees if plenty of room for change. and yes even 95 degrees is warm enough for a hot spot. at night 65 degrees as an over all enclosure temp is fine as well.

 

[Lena]

Of course. Just saying, my dragon Fonz likes it hotter, any cooler and he seems to get lethargic.

Anyway - It's important to establish a gradient in which the dragon can choose for itself how hot or how cool it wants to be at any given time. Then you'll get a good idea of your individual dragon's preferences.

 

[project1]

dont forget to put him in a out side cage for when its hot and sunny my dragons love it!!