Beardie Rescue

[Freemankind]

So i'm gunna go pick up my first beardie as a "rescue" adoption. Some kid wanted a pet lizard and after a year he's bored with it and the folks don't wanna take care of him (at least i think its a him). I'll get him and whatever set-up they got for him tomorrow after work for free. I'll post up pics as soon as i can get some.

 

[JessyH]

so nice of you to rescue him!
Can't wait to see pics, be sure to post them soon!

 

[Freemankind]

Here it is. The guy was on bird seed andunder a desk lamp. The ones he gave me were burned out and he never got a new one. I'm gunna go get some capet and a few more or maybe one bigger branch, when i go get new bulbs. Anyone know what watt a should get?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Is there a sticker on the inside of the light saying the max wattage you can use?

 

[Grinning Geckos]

You might have to try out a few wattages to find the one that will make the basking spot the right temp. Make sure he can get nice and toasty....just not sure exactly what you should be shooting for (beardies aren't my thing).

 

[Hacksaw]

The basking temperatures can range anywhere from 105-115.

Wattage of bulb varies on the size of enclosure. I use a 100wt for my 40 gallon enclosure, and I use a 75wt for my 20 gallon enclosure, this also depends on the room temperature. So like suggested, get a digital thermometer and experiment until you can get the proper temperatures. Cool end should a little higher than room temperature. Your UVB needs to be a Repti-Sun 10.0, try to avoid the Repti-Glo.

He looks a little dehydrated, give him a nice soak in the sink up to his elbows in luke warm water for 5-6 minutes. After a few days of proper heating and lighting, crickets, salads, and a bigger enclosure he should be as good as new.

It also wouldn't hurt to give him a vet check up. A bill of good health never hurts. I'm glad you are rescueing him and wish you and your new dragon nothing but the best of luck!

 

[Freemankind]

What bulb is what? none of them are labled. I know the dark one is a night bulb its temp is 90 max. Is that good for night or should there be none? the long bulb is busted is that one the uvb? or is the blue one? I figure you guys know more then the kids at the pet store.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

The florescent tube gives off UV - but he needs to be able to get within a foot of it to really get any benefit. The white is a day bulb...or could be a plain ol' incandescent bulb. The dark one is a "night blub" that allows you to heat the cage without disturbing your critter (so they say). Those come in red or blue (blue is not the same as a black light, despite the looks).

 

[REUBER]

repti carpet isnt good either,

for like 12 bucks just put ceramic tile dpwn, easier to clean and more sanitary. Make sure it has texture to it.


100W Basking bulb should do you right, but you have to experiment.
The UV light should be repti sun 10.0 like stated, those are about 60 bones
Or just pay for a T-Rex or Mega Ray MVB which gives both UVB and Heat. Same price almost. Beardies are supposed to have at least 10 hours of silence AND darkness.
Get some Endive or Escorole, (1.50) or some greens stay away from iceberg lettuc as it has no nutrional value, but you could mix it in because they are full of water..keeps the guy hydrated. get some cricks and youre set!
Jump over to www.bearded-dragons.com for the forum, there are alot of people on here over there too that will help you out and you can do some research.

Congrats, I rescued one a while back and he has flourished since! Good Luck!!

 

[REUBER]

double post sorry

 

[Freemankind]

He hasn't really touched his greens i went and got collard and mustard greens, and i have some fresh basil from the yard (100%organic) and some squash. He loves crickets but doesn't really pay attention to the salad. He did eat some when i put a few waxies ontop, more by accident tho. Could it have somthing to do with the heat? I wasn't able to get a new bulb yet, so its still in the 90's and not over 100. He has colered up more since i got him, he's showing more yellow pattern on his hear and neck, but his body is still darker.

 

[T&KBrouse]

Beardies can be kinda fickle when it comes to food. He may just have an "acquired taste" for bugs as opposed to greens. You can try giving him greens and squash for breakfast and not offer bugs until late afternoon. Kind of a "No dessert 'til you eat your veggies" approach.
Sounds silly, I know, but sometimes it works.
He may still be adjusting.
Congratulations for rescuing him! They are wonderful animals!

 

[REUBER]

He hasn't really touched his greens i went and got collard and mustard greens, and i have some fresh basil from the yard (100%organic) and some squash. He loves crickets but doesn't really pay attention to the salad. He did eat some when i put a few waxies ontop, more by accident tho. Could it have somthing to do with the heat? I wasn't able to get a new bulb yet, so its still in the 90's and not over 100. He has colered up more since i got him, he's showing more yellow pattern on his hear and neck, but his body is still darker.

needs to be at a low of 110. this is how they digest, so that could be a HUGE part of it all. just buy a floodlight doesnt have to have a rep name to it and go from there to adjust the temps

 

[Freemankind]

Ok so I got a bulb uva/uvb bulb. He's got some heat now. 105 and the base of hislog and 110 and the peak, And about 12 inchs away its as cool as 90 sometimes colder depend on room temp. Overnight it drops down to about 80-85. I went to the nursery and got some plants for my yard i can feed him. I got a bunch of free cactus pads, i just hope they grow, and some rosemary.

 

[rubym]

I have a male that is 15 months old and it is a constant struggle to get him to eat his greens and veggies. The vet said that some beardies are just that way and to keep offering them daily. I put his greens and veggies in about 2 hours after his lights come on ( 9:00 am) and I don't offer him bugs until about 1:00 pm.

 

[Freemankind]

Thats what i started doing and its working. Most his greens are gone by the time i get home from work.