Hi everyone!

This is my first post, I am getting my partner a bearded dragon for christmas, his parents had one when he lived at home so he knows how to care for one.

But i'm the one buying all the stuff as a suprise and have no idea where to start?!

-So far I've bought a 100x50x50cm viv, which i will put a divide in until the dragon gets big enough to have full use of it.

What do i need now? lighting? back pictures? heeeelpp

=] thanks in advance =]

Dani-lou

Hi,

Ideally for an adult dragon you should have 8 square feet floor space, so a 48 x 24 inch vivarium is best.

The one you have will be adequate for whilst it is a baby through to juvenile though.

For lighting you will need a basking bulb. I use 60 watt spot bulbs from Homebase. Just as good as reptile basking bulbs but a fraction of the cost!

This needs to be connected to a dimming thermostat to regulate the temperature. I use Habistat dimming thermostats.

You will also need a UV tube running the length of your tank. Arcadia 12% tubes are by far the best available. This needs a UV starter unit. Arcadia make a starter unit too that suits their tubes so best to get that type.

You will need some bark/branches for the dragon to climb on, and a basking rock/log to go beneath the spot bulb. A piece of slate works well as it holds heat nicely.

If you are getting a baby dragon it is best not to use a loose substrate such as sand as there is a chance that the dragon will swallow it and become impacted (blocked up!) this is not good at all and can be fatal.
The safest option for the flooring is lino, tiles or paper.


Think I've covered just about everything!
Hope this helps

Jen

Well, if you want to pick a bearded dragon, I'd highly recommend buying one off of another owner, as it is better, and usually cheaper.

The Pet stores such as PetCo, PetSmart, carry unhealthy Bearded dragons (not all the time) but the last bearded dragon I purchased from there had a parasite in his stomach, and ate all his food, causing him to be hungry, until, well, he pooped it out.

He is healthy now, but, as I got him, he wasn't healthy at all.
I use 80 WATTS basking bulb.
Another good piece of information, is that if you find a night bulb, eg: a red one, I wouldn't use it at all. They claim that bearded dragons, but my five are up all night with that night light, and without one, they go to sleep.

Hope I helped you

Hey I think may be this will help.I prefer you should take help form the bearded dragon books (online)

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http://beardeddragonbook.com/