even more silly questions.

[Joanna]

This has probably been asked lots of times, so I apologise in advance. You may have guessed from my previous post that I am contemplating buying a beardie! They have a poor little amputee in my local shop. He fell when he was very tiny, and then because his leg was slightly injured he had altered sensation or something of the sort. Anyway, someone happened to put in a couple of crickets that were too big and hey presto half the leg is gone!! so, I know not to put big crickets in with the little guy. He's perfectly fine now, and seems to be quite happy with his stump. Ok, my question. I have a glass open top vivarium 2'x2'x1'. Is this sufficient for a baby to sub adult? If so, how do you get a basking area of 110F and a cool end of 80F? Plus, it only has one hole for a lamp, so how would I do heating plus UV? Would I need to buy another top? I think I'm ok in the substrate department. I'll use newspaper to start with (we get a lot of free papers!!), and then sand, as I have a sand boa already. I have a piece of bark he could hide under and bask on, and a branch. Plus, I've got a couple of spare water bowls.
sorry for rabbiting on. I'll shut up now. thankyou.

[slayer{ed2}]

i would build a cage of 4-6 long by about 2 1/2 - 3 feet wide and about 2 feet tall. That way the cage would last him, his whole life and then it would be easyer to control hot and cold sides temps. That and he would love the space he would have to play in. But then again all my cages tend to be over sized at least thats what breaders tell me. But i belive animals all deserve to live in large homes and be happy as they would be in the wild or happier. Good luck hopefully some else who knows lizards can be help to you i am mainly a snake man specifically boas. But good luck hopefully you and your new little guy are happy.

[Joanna]

I have an RTB that is currently occupying a four foot tank, and obviously he's gonna need a bigger one soon, so the idea is, this guy's in the shop now, we could house him in the two foot, and then sort out the 6 foot tank for the RTB. I know we'd have to do this quickly and I am investigating bigger tanks. I love the boaphile tanks but they're so expensive, plus I live in england!! anyone have any ideas?

[Dragon-Keeper]

Crickets ate his leg? Poor guy. I think when you get the right cage, go for it. Remember to ask a lot at the store.

[Joanna]

I'm friends with the girl that looks after the reptiles so she has an idea what I have and she's quite keen for me to take him, because not many Joe Publics want an amputee beardie and she's worried he'll be left in the shop like my kenyan sand boa that I also rescued! Although, I have asked for a 10% discount considering there's 10% less of him now!! Sorry, that was a terrible joke! I think I should be able to look after him. My snakes are all healthy and happy, I've bought a beardie manual and have an idea. The girl at the shop is looking at what kind of set up I could provide with what I've got.

[Joanna]

This is the aforementioned little blighter that we're considering giving a home. Not the gammy leg!! ah, bless him!

[palio]

Originally Posted by Joanna

I have a glass open top vivarium 2'x2'x1'. Is this sufficient for a baby to sub adult? If so, how do you get a basking area of 110F and a cool end of 80F? Plus, it only has one hole for a lamp, so how would I do heating plus UV? Would I need to buy another top? I think I'm ok in the substrate department. I'll use newspaper to start with (we get a lot of free papers!!), and then sand, as I have a sand boa already.

I am fairly new to beardies myself so not sure I am 'qualified'to answer this but I will give it a shot. As others have said a bigger enviroment is better for him. As a baby however that seems like it would do just fine for him. As for the heating. It seems to me if you buy a less powerful light that directs the beam it should be ok heat wise. The uvb light, depending on what one you buy, I understand can be a heat sorce and uvb or just uvb. So you might be able to combine them in one. As for sand. there is a lot of arguements for and against sand and discussion about compations and such. I cant tell you about that. I can tell you I started out with sand for my beardie and I found it very hard to care for. hard to clean, dusty, hard to disinfect when he got worms (they seem to come standard from the pet store with worms I would have a stool sample done asap) not to mention if any food fell into the sand it was instantly dirty and had to be thrown away. I went and bought some indoor/outdoor carpeting from the hardware store and trimmed it to size, put it in and its great. Now a simple paper tower takes care of clean up. or when he is outside basking I can pop it into the washing machine for a good clean. a small whisk broom works wonders to. Just my two cents worth. Also I wanted to say great job adopting him. Many would concider him a throw away pet and it is so nice to see that he has a chance at a loving home.

	Ultra Violet Radiation B Ultra Violet Radiation B

[buck2003]

Can I just say that the only silly question is the one you dont ask!!!!!!

[NicoleRussell]

I would suggest a paper towel for all babies.
You can get a decent heat gradient by using a 100 watt mac bulb on one end and have it timed for 13 hours (10 in the winter)...and for this season leave it at that.
Once you get you cage invest in a digital thermometer or temp gun to measure temps....you can then make some educated decisions about supplemental heat. Each home and each part of the country is different--only you can judge where you are