beardie advice !

Miket20 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-16-2005, 07:56 PM

i've owned snakes for many years now currently own 3, but my brother has just bought a bd, he's totally new to owning reptiles, so i'm doing a bit of research on his behalf. i've got everything sorted but just want a bit of info on temps from u experienced bd owners at the moment i've got the basking spot about 98 and the cool end at around 85. what are the acceptable ranges on the cool and basking spot and also what do u recommend for the night time drop. any info greatly apprecciated

wreckwriter · #2 (**permalink**) 09-16-2005, 08:14 PM

Temps are decent. Got UVB lighting? Its critical for beardies.

chorus of crickets · #3 (**permalink**) 09-16-2005, 08:18 PM

pet stores will tell you low temps, because they want there dragons to grow small, and little kids like small lizards. but the avrage temp that a dragon should be in is around 105, and anywhere aaround 90 in the cool woulrd work nice, the cool spots aren't really that importent with beardies. as long as thjey can get to the heat so they can worm up there system.

chorus of crickets · #4 (**permalink**) 09-16-2005, 08:36 PM

oh opps, I mean 105 up at the top of the cage, and have a tree to reach it, especily for juvies, adults 98 is fine. they're more stable, but juvies are relaly iffy. you jst need to find a temp somwhere around 100 that makes the dragon confortible. and keeps him healthy and eating properly.

futureCROChunter · #5 (**permalink**) 09-16-2005, 09:00 PM

Temps should be from 105-115 in the basking spot and the cool side should be in the mid 80's. The cool side is VERY important because the dragons have to regulate their temperature or they will overheat. Please, I recommend your brother, or you, read this caresheet and FAQ page! And enjoy your new pet!
http://www.diamond-gems.com/caresheets.htm
http://www.diamond-gems.com/faq.htm

Miket20 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 12:18 AM

ok thanks for all the advice, yeah i made sure my brother realises the potential size and we want him to grow to his potential so were keeping the temps hot. i build my own vivs i built a 6x2x2 for my female bci i'm already planning a 3x2x2 for my bro's bd is that big enough or would 4x2x2 be better. we got uvb as well and supplements so i think u have all answered my ?'s. but the nightime drop though i read on the above caresheet above 60 degrees fareinheit, what temps do u guys have at night ?

chorus of crickets · #7 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 04:43 AM

my temp drops to 84. I belive the danger zone is drop below 70. weather you need night time lighting depends on how hot your house is at night. I think a 48" x 24" enclosure would work fine. plenty of space. but 4 feet is pretty much bear minimal, you can try and make him more confortible by adding more width. but you can't trade much for that. if you have the room, make it as big as it can get.

Miket20 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 09:02 AM

4x2x2 it is then, ok thanks

Milky2005 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 11:48 AM

I thought BD get nervous when in a large cage if they are babies. Also with a large cage for a baby wont they find it hard to find the crickets??

chorus of crickets · #10 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 02:08 PM

depends on if they were bout on at a petstore or from a breeder, because the ones at a pet store would tend to get confused more easily from trying to figure out how to watch so much room because they're be more used to watch all this stuff going on, and one that was bout direct would only know one way of life. its not a science though. some jsut get stressed out easily.

NicoleRussell · #11 (**permalink**) 09-17-2005, 02:17 PM

keep the animal in a small cage and allow it to grow into it's enviroment. As babies...make sure of the following:
GREAT lighting
very little night flucts (no more then 5 degrees)
very small whole prey
whole substrate
whole food vitamins
mashed and shredded fiber (salads and fruits)

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