Need Bearded Dragon Advice

MizM

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Hi herp lovers! I am still a dedicated "tarantulist", but I bought my kids the most wonderful dragon at the Pomona Fair. His name is Knuckles. He is an adult male that they sold for only $20.00 because he bends his hands forward and walks on his wrists. His eyes and nostrils are clear, he's fat, active and very healthy. And, dare I say this, he is AFFECTIONATE!! He will do ANYTHING for you if you rub his chin!! See below!!!=D

So, does anyone know where I can find the definitive care sheet on these guys? You all know my tarantulas are spoiled, well this little doll face is going to be spoiled too!!
 

MizM

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Here he is in a natural setting, a place he doesn't like much. He'd rather be held!!!
 

Valael

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Cute little picture there, definently put a smile on my face :p


http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BDcare.html


That seems like a pretty good bearded dragon care sheet.


You're making me jealous, though. I gave my dragons to a friend after I became too busy to drive the 40 miles to get crickets once or twice a week. I miss them, I want them, but I can't get them :p


How big is your enclosure? It looks..well, smaller.
 

MizM

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It's only a 10 gal tank. He is only in there when no one is home. If ANYONE is home, he's being held, loved, exercised. Sunning in the front yard, munching on grass. I'm currently looking for a suitable size enclosure, I KNOW that one is too small!!

THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!
 

manville

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I want to get a bearded dragon too..i am just looking for ppl who sell them so i can buy them..i havnt had them before..
 

Valael

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I had a pair in a 50 gallon, it seemed plenty large to me...but a lot of people seem to say you need even larger..
 

MrT

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MizM,
I bought a bearded dragon book at Petco. Its a good one. Only about $10.00.
My dragon is 12" - 14" long, and mean as can be. But I really like that guy. LOL


Ernie
 

atavuss

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Originally posted by MizM
It's only a 10 gal tank. He is only in there when no one is home. If ANYONE is home, he's being held, loved, exercised. Sunning in the front yard, munching on grass. I'm currently looking for a suitable size enclosure, I KNOW that one is too small!!

THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!
LOL!! that first pic put a smile on my face.
FWIW, I keep my adult male bearded dragon in a 60 gallon reptile style terrarium. I use calci-sand for substrate, he has a "hot" side with a basking light and UTH and a cool side. I don't even bother to keep the sliding top on the enclosure as he is too porky to jump or climb out. I have several resin branches that I got at petsmart and he is usually hanging out on one of them.
Ed
 

MizM

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Thanks! I have found out that I need a much larger tank, but he doesn't spend much time in it anyway! He gets to go outside and play on the (chemical-free) lawn, wander into the misters, and usually is being held and loved! The vendor who sold him for $20 was pretty dumb, just because he walks on his wrists! He is an exceptionally sweet guy with a personality you can't help but love!

I tried to raise beardeds in the past, but bought them WAY too young. I gave them perfect conditions, down to the letter, and they just didn't survive. But it's been a very long time, and I had forgotten what cool pets they can be. He's like a dog with scales!!!:D
 

atavuss

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bearded dragon in top enclosure, blue tongue skink in bottom.
Ed
 

MizM

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Awww.... he's cute! I dont' know about everyone else, but to me, they all have different facial features and each looks like a little individual!:)
 

Valael

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They're pretty vicious when they're mad, heh.


The petstore gave me a $30 discount on an adult male gold dragon just because the previous owners didn't handle him much and he was a bit feisty.



Luckily, when they bite, they let go right away :p
 

atavuss

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Originally posted by Valael
They're pretty vicious when they're mad, heh.


The petstore gave me a $30 discount on an adult male gold dragon just because the previous owners didn't handle him much and he was a bit feisty.



Luckily, when they bite, they let go right away :p
I very rarely handle my bearded dragon or my blue tongue skink and both are still dog tame, the bearded dragon is a bit calmer though, a "pet rock" of the lizard world!
Ed
 

MizM

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Originally posted by MrT
Heres mine...
Ernie
HE'S SMILING FOR THE CAMERA!!! These guys have MAJOR personality!!!
 

Valael

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I have bad luck. I think I've told you this before, but my bearded dragon bit at first, and my Blue Tongue Skink did the same.


And let me tell you, skinks hurt. Bad. They grab on and squeeze. Teeth aren't noticable, but their jaw pressure is enough to bring anyone to their knees.


Oh, and he would urinate/defecate when picked up. I quickly learned to let him be a display pet only.
 

atavuss

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Originally posted by Valael
I have bad luck. I think I've told you this before, but my bearded dragon bit at first, and my Blue Tongue Skink did the same.


And let me tell you, skinks hurt. Bad. They grab on and squeeze. Teeth aren't noticable, but their jaw pressure is enough to bring anyone to their knees.


Oh, and he would urinate/defecate when picked up. I quickly learned to let him be a display pet only.
I used to keep prehinsle tailed skinks, once in a great while I would give them a rat pup, their jaws are so powerful they could darn near bite a rat pup in half! I have read their bite is on par with slamming your hand/finger in a car door. I never handled them but the person that gave them to me would handle them regularly.
Ed
 
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