Just curious...

[Stitchex]

I've usually seen how big beardies get, what would be a good tank size for an adult? Are they, for the most part, really as docile as I'm hearing? I'm just curious, they seem like they would be such great pets:main_laugh:

 

[Lena]

They are fantastic pets with a wonderful temperament.

A good sized enclosure for a bearded dragon is a 40 gal breeder or equivalent.

A couple of things I'm a stickler for when it comes to beardies...
You want a lot of floor space and a little bit of climbing area. DO NOT USE SAND OR PARTICLE SUBSTRATES! Also make sure you provide UVA/UVB and well as sufficient heat. And never house two bearded dragons together. Not even females.

Fantastic care sheet:
http://bearded-dragons.com/boards/index.php/topic,8.0.html
Great nutritional reference:
http://beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

 

[Stitchex]

I know about the loose particle rule, not to worry =P. Are beardies territorial? And thanks for the links, I'll look into them.

 

[clear]

Yes they are, one BD per enclosure! MVB last longer than tube uvb's

 

[Lena]

MVB is a UVB bulb. If you mean strips.. Last I checked they last longer? I think?

Anyway, yes, beardies are very territorial and should never be housed together.

 

[jmlslayer]

yes MVB bulbs last up to a year last i read.

 

[Stitchex]

Okay, thanks a ton, guys.

 

[axxessdenied]

MVB can last from at least 1 year to almost 2 years if you take good care of it and don't bump it.

Ideal tank size for a beardie is 4 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet.
Beardies can be territorial, they prefer human contact much more

My guy usually wants to be let out atleast once a day to run around. Great exercise as well

 

[Stitchex]

I just love how social they are to humans, how docile they are, that's what got me interested in them. I'm pretty sure I won't be getting one any time soon, my room space is taken up for the most part lol. Thanks!

 

[froggz]

I also agree that beardies need larger homes than 40g. Be prepared to provide at least 75g, while as mentioned 120g of space is much more adequate. My newly adopted beardie came with a 50g tank and its much too small, I'm in the process of designing and building an enclosure suitable myself. As much as I love the geckos, beardies are much more outgoing.

 

[MelissaDiane]

As much as I love the geckos, beardies are much more outgoing.

Jess, I agree with you on that. I started with Leopard Geckos in July 2008. They are nice docile lizards too but they tend to sleep & are out of site almost always. Plus they are finicky eaters too. They just stop eating & I have to hold my breath hoping they eat. I got my first BD in January this year. She was about 5 months old. She is just the friendliest little thing & she loves to be out. She goes up to her glass doors & scratches to be left out. She loves to sit on a towel on my counter & watch me do dishes :main_yes: She loves to eat too. I don't have to worry about her eating at all. She'll eat in her cage & from my hand. Doesn't matter to her.

I know some people would disagree with BD vs Geckos....it's just my personal experience with Geckos has not been good. My first one died 3 months after I had her & no one knew why (not even the vet & we had a necropsy done too). I lost another one the beginning of January & don't know why there either. Now I have another one that hasn't eaten since December & I have been feeding her jump start. She lost about 6g's so that isn't too bad but here again....no one knows why. I have two other females & one male.

So, having a Bearded Dragon who loves to eat thrills me Oh yea, & my BD falls asleep every night while I am holding her. She loves that. Then I just put her on her log & she sleeps there all night. Having a Bearded Dragon is so much more than I even expected :main_thumbsup:

I have her in a 40" X 24" X 18" visionary tank. She is about 12" long & weighs in around 150g. She seems happy with this so far.