Any bearded dragon experts?

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Louise Northway VNCertECC NCert(Anaesth) RVN — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 15:00:10 GMT

Hey!

I find this website really helpful for all things exotics!

http://lafeber.com/vet/

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

jojofruits — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 14:11:21 GMT

Really not looking for arguments.. just trying to help :) there ais more than one way to skin a cat ;)

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

jojofruits — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 14:07:13 GMT

This would also work well :)

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Rebecca Lindsay — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 09:02:04 GMT

All this arguing!!

I would advise an all in one heat and UV bulb if your viv is big enough, something like the ZooMed power sun bulb. Use this at one end on a timer for day and night! use a thermometer to get the right distance and temperature at the hot spot, you will need quite a big viv. At the other end either a ceramic bulb and thermostat or 'reptile radiator' (has built in thermostat). UV doesn't work unless it is on hot skin...the strip bulbs all the way across the back of the Vivi are pointless and only work where your heat bulb is.

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 18:00:44 GMT

[quote user="PSA-David"]don't forget wooden vivariums retain heat better that glass![/quote]

True, hence why all vivs need to have one, or ideally two, digital thermometers with a min/max function to measure actual temps. My experience (I think I can claim to be both experienced and qualified) shows that they need overnight heating - but obviously all houses and vivaria are slightly different. In my experience, there is no 'one size fits all' solution to reptile housing and, at the end of the day, none are perfect as none will exactly replicate their natural environment. People who say 'do it my way and all will be fine' can cause a lot of harm - you always need to adapt a vivarium to fit in with its wider environment and owner.

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

PSA-David — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 17:46:43 GMT

don't forget wooden vivariums retain heat better that glass!

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 17:01:56 GMT

[quote user="PSA-David"]if the temperature in the house goes below 16 C I would assume the heating would be on! especially winter.[/quote]

You would assume incorrectly. Most houses in the UK are significantly colder than that overnight.

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

PSA-David — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:41:47 GMT

if the temperature in the house goes below 16 C I would assume the heating would be on! especially winter.

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:41:29 GMT

[quote user="PSA-David"]to get specific accurate advice.[/quote]

I'm OK thanks. I wasn't actually asking for advice- just asking you why you disagreed with the advice already given, as I didn't.

I would also politely suggest that the OP, in posting here, was likely to get better quality advice than on a Facebook page, albeit one you obviously trust. Not all of Dr Google's advice can be so trustworthy.

In the end your source of advice also agrees with the majority of what has been said!

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

PSA-David — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:37:17 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]Why would I want to do that? [/quote]

to get specific accurate advice. yes I have an interest in reptiles, i'm know way classing myself as an expert or have a qualification to support that I am either!

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:37:07 GMT

OK...now I'm confused. They recommend a 10 or 12% UV bulb...same as above. They recommend 10-18 degree temp gradient- same as above. Etc etc

The only significant difference in advice is the heat source- ceramic vs white light. Both can be perfectly adequate IMO.

The only thing I would query would be allowing the viv to go below 16c at night- in the UK it could drop even lower than that if no overnight heating is used. Hence why I would use a ceramic, as it can be left to run overnight at a lower temperature. But, to be honest, as long as daytime temps are high enough, it is much less important.

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

PSA-David — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:28:35 GMT

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:11:00 GMT

[quote user="PSA-David"]but pop over to bearded dragon uk in Facebook, then place the comments above and see what replies are given. [/quote]

Why would I want to do that?

[quote user="PSA-David"]We never recommend a ceramic heater for a basking animal. a basking bulbs will give an intense area of light to bask. not heat the entire viv via radiation! the temperatures in the UK do not drop low enough to require this even at night. [/quote]

I don't know where you live in the UK, but it is obviously a much warmer climate than my area (NW England.) Anyway, what would you suggest is better?

[quote user="PSA-David"]don't forget your vitamins. consider where you get your bugs, for instance what are they being fed? consider a roach colony.[/quote]

The initial reply included this information.

[quote user="PSA-David"]also forgot to add you need a temp gradient lower that 10 degrees also.[/quote]

Why?

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

PSA-David — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 15:51:35 GMT

i was waiting for the questioning.

but pop over to bearded dragon uk in Facebook, then place the comments above and see what replies are given. We never recommend a ceramic heater for a basking animal. a basking bulbs will give an intense area of light to bask. not heat the entire viv via radiation! the temperatures in the UK do not drop low enough to require this even at night.

with reference to the group, we are a non risk group that have experts that work in the field whom are members. Even vets have joined stating that they did not know half the information presented.

don't forget your vitamins. consider where you get your bugs, for instance what are they being fed? consider a roach colony.

also forgot to add you need a temp gradient lower that 10 degrees also.

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 15:22:28 GMT

[quote user="PSA-David"] sorry but I am quite concerned at some of the advice given here. [/quote]

I actually thought the advice given was excellent.

[quote user="PSA-David"]do not use a ceramic bulb for heat[/quote]

They are one of the best ways to provide heat, IMO

[quote user="PSA-David"]its not also just UVA you need to be considering but also UVB. .[/quote]

Quite correct. Which is why the advice above was to provide a UV bulb designed for reptile vivs - which will have both UVa and UVb.

[quote user="PSA-David"]certain bulbs have been known to cause eye problems[/quote]

Oh? Specific reptile lights? Which ones? I've only seen eye problems if people use inappropriate bulbs- such as 'black lights' designed for discos!

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

PSA-David — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 11:06:18 GMT

sorry but I am quite concerned at some of the advice given here. do not use a ceramic bulb for heat. these are basking animals and use the "third eye" to detect light as a heat source and bask. its not also just UVA you need to be considering but also UVB. certain bulbs have been known to cause eye problems.

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

jojofruits — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 06:33:43 GMT

You're welcome. Make sure that the bulb is low enough. No more than 8 inches from the beardie :-) this is provably the most important thing of all.

Very minimal insects at 3 years old... even though he will eat them..

(I'll aways eat Ben and Jerry's but it's not necessarily good for me! )

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Jenzel — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 23:53:26 GMT

Thank you for all the advice. I will definitely take it all on board. I'm happy to bath him daily. He loved it tonight and was drinking and went a nicer brighter colour. He has his heat lamp on one side and uv light across at top. It's a brand new uv light and longer than the one that was in there so hopefully that will pick him up. He already ate more veggies today so hopefully that's a good sign. Also I have food and water balls for the insects so hopefully that is doing him good. He is approx 3 years old.

Once again, thank you!

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

jojofruits — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 23:33:10 GMT

The uv bulb shouldn't be emitting heat? Make sure the uv light is low enough and new enough if it's not emitting enough uv he won't see properly. That's usually why they don't eat their veggies. I would avoid actual veggies. Go for weeds. Brassicas like kale and spring greens have calcium and phosphate in the wrong ratio and will cause problems. Rocket is ok.. about as close to a weed as you can get in tesCo. Feed him every day. Fresh weeds twice daily

Mealworms are not ideal at all. Gut loading is feeding the livefood for at least 48 hours with a proper balanced gutloading diet.. like bug grub from vetarkThey are what they eat. You didn't say if he's an adult? In which case try to go pretty much vegetarian...

Wayyy too much to go into on the forum to be honest but this should set you in the right direction

The key things people get wrong are diet and not enough uvb due to bad positioning or exhausted light tubes

You need to actually measure hot and cold ends of your viv to make sure you have a gradient. Worst thing for reptiles is a completely constant temp. They need to thermoregulate. I think I put temp in post above.

You heed to actually measure the temp not go by the thermostat. I have seen them up to 10 degrees out. Max min digital thermometer from amazon is less than a tenner and will give you a good idea of what's going on.

Re bathing that's up to you.. but you asked advice and that's what i recommend :) I've seen a gazillion dehydrated beardues and if his diet has been bad his kidneys may need the extra support

Just remember. Try to recreate Australia. . The food is sparse and low nutrition. The days are long and hot. They bask in he morning to warm up and then go and feed.... you need to remember they are not domestic no matter how tame they are ;) so they still have all their wild requirements that need to be met

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Jenzel — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 22:02:12 GMT

Thanks for that! He hasn't had the best start and apparently was fed a couple worms a day! I'm currently offering him fresh veggies and small amount of worms in a bowl in the morning and then have given him 2-3 crickets/locusts a day. He's not eating many veggies as he's never been offered then before but he definitely ate some today. Offered kale, spring greens, rocket and parsley.

I got a thermostat and planning on having his uv come on at 8am and off at 10pm as I work approx 7-7 4 days a week so gives me time to come home and sort him out (keep in mind I've only had him a couple days). His heat lamp would come on if it got too cold. I might invest in a ceramic bulb but at the moment his sensor is in the middle of the cage and set for 28c daytime and 23 night time. This is what I was advised. Is this OK?

Any tips on feeding? I'm planning on keeping locusts one week and crickets week after so I'm only keeping one at a time for now. Do i not feed him at all one day a week? Sure I read that somewhere or was told. Gut loading is just feeding insects left over veg and things that beardie eats, is that right?

There's a lot of conflicting info online. It's difficult sometimes. Bath him daily? I was planning on couple times a week as didn't think they needed a daily bath. He has a shallow water bowl in his viv too.

He is currently in a 3 ft viv as that is what he came in but plan on upgrading him. Got a new uv bulb, it's a strip one. Think that's everything. Can't wait to get in a routine with it all!

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

jojofruits — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 17:43:57 GMT

Ok so you need to best mimic the wild environment. Sorry if i'm teaching you to suck eggs on a few of these points and I'll try to keep it brief

1) position cage in a quiet area of the house, they are a prey species, also don't let cats etc look at them

2) High fibre high calcium, low phosphorous diet - weed feeding for at least 90% of the diet. have a look at the tortoise websites for lists of edible weeds you can grow or forage for. Is he adult size? if so the insect feeding should be absolutely minimal. literally 1 or 2 gut loaded crickets every other day ( google gut loading if you don't know how to do that.

3) lighting.. 10% UVB bulb changed every 6 months placed no more than 8 inches from the beardie . I find it best to separate heating and lighting to allow better control of each. You say when you turn your lights out the heat goes out overnight? this is not ok. buy a ceramic bulb ( bulb which produces heat but no light) for heating and have it at about 24 degrees ambient heat overnight... might be a good idea to get the temperatures right before adding reptile into viv?

The UV bulb ideally should be a strip one and not a spot one and suspended in he middle of the viv.. this means he will get enough UV all over the vivarium and not just directly under the bulb. I did a lot of measuring with a UVB meter and its amazing how short a distance those UVB rays come out of the bulbs! Reptisun make the best bulbs - 12 hours a day, hes a desert species with a very high UVB requirement.

4. heating... overheat thermostat controlled heating with a hotspot of about 28-30 degrees using the ceramic bulb but at one end of the viv so that you get a good 10 degree gradient between ends. measure temperatures daily with a digital themomenter. if he's sleeping a lot I would bet my bottom dollar he is cold.

5. hiding spaces in cool, medium and warm areas so that your prey species pet doesn't feel the need to chose between being in the right temp or feeling safe

6. substrate .. nothing he can pick up in his mouth by mistake - avoid woodchip , reptisand,, anyting like that.. very high risk of impaction. .. astroturf or newspaper is perfect.

hope that's sets you on the road! There's lots of good info on the internet but also lots of stuff that isn't relevant to keeping beardies in the UK so don't believe everything you read... good luck with him.

Edited to add - forgot about the baths - bath him daily - bath water temperature - enough to completely cover his cloaca for 10-15 mins :) Add reptoboost to the bath and rinse him thoroughly afterwards.

RE: Any bearded dragon experts?

Emmacampbell — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 23:18:53 GMT

This site has some good info might be of use ,https://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/caresheet/