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Posted by Michelle First of all, if you are going to think about caring for any animal, you need to do some research, not just ask poeple on the internet to do your work for you... However, here's some BASICS for bearded dragons: Depending of course on whether you will be purchasing a baby, juvinile, sub-adult or adult, the prices will vary from approx. $50 all the way to $600. There are some wonderful breeders out there, try: www.sunshinedragons.com, www.calicodragons.com, www.sapphiredragonranch.com for starters. If you are giong to get a baby (which is this is your first beardie, I do NOT recommend) you will need at least a 20-30 gallon tank. Keep young ones (any less than 8-10 inches) on either reptile carpet or paper towels to avoid impaction & for easy maintence. Babys, Juvies & Sub-adults are to be fed 80% protien, 20% vegetation. The best sources of protien are roaches, silk worms & crickets, all gut loaded & farm raised. Veggies can include dark greens (collard, mustard, turnip, dandalion) and include some bright colors, like summer squash & carrots (don't over do the carrots, they will get Vit A Toxicity, which will kill you dragon). Adults are pretty much the opposite (adults are about 5-6 years old) mainly eating salad, with about 20-40% of thier diet being protien based. Variety is key, google some care sheets for a more complete list of acceptable food items. For adults: 50 gallon tank MINIMUM. Sand, reptile carpet, paper towels, some kinds of tile are all good substrate, I personally have used sand for my 2 year old with no problems. Lighting is VERY IMPORTANT. If you don't get the lighting right, you will KILL you dragon. You will need a basking spot with a UVA bulb, with a temp for babys - sub at least 110-115, adults 105-110. The cooler side of the tank should be betweeen 85-95. Humidity should be less than 30...they come from the Austrailian desert... UVB is the most important lighting you will have. UVB aids in digestion & the absorbsion of calcium. Without UVB, your dragon will develope MBD & be crippled and die. I would suggest Repti-Sun 10.0 or 8.0 desert, you can get them at Petco/Petsmart. Jordan, I apologize if I seem a little harsh, but there seems to be an abundance of people on the internet these days how want reptile, but are not willing to do the work themselves & RESEARCH... These are beautiful, personable animals that can definately be a member for your family. My guy likes nothing better than to hang out & watch TV with the fam, but they have strict diet & husbandry requirements. Check out these other forums: www.herpfamily.com / www.herpcenter.com to get some excellant care sheets, and please remember than they can like 7-12 years in captivity, so be ready for the long haul. Wish you the best
on 4/29/2006, 12:13 pm, in reply to "Getting a Bearded Dragon"
70.44.25.160
Jordan:
~Michelle
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