First steps to rehabilitation of neglected dragons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I recently rescued a pair of bearded dragons from someone living near me. They are about a year old and are living together in a 40 gallon breeder aquarium. They have had nothing but crickets, meal worms, spinach, and lettuce their entire life. No calcium powder or multivitamins. I also don't think they have been getting UVB light for the last 8 months or so, only UVA. Also have been living with a night bulb on at night and a basking spot of 80-90 degrees. Currently i cant seem to get them to eat any fruits or veggies and i know lettuce and spinach are not a good food source for them. What do you guys think my first course of action is??!!! Any help is much appreciated because i really want them to make a good recovery because they both are really sweet and have lots of personality. Thank you all!

First they need to be seperated, dont house both together. Basking spot for a beardie should be about 105 give or take a few degrees. Get a UVB light asap, they really need those lights.

Foods for your beadie https://www.beardeddragoncare101.com...earded-dragon/

Get rid of the night bulb as well.

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Originally Posted by oodaT

First they need to be seperated, dont house both together. Basking spot for a beardie should be about 105 give or take a few degrees. Get a UVB light asap, they really need those lights.

Foods for your beadie https://www.beardeddragoncare101.com...earded-dragon/

Get rid of the night bulb as well.

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Yes, I know about basic husbandry and proper foods. I got rid of the night bulb a few days ago. I have a UVB light that is coming in the mail in a couple days. Any recomendations on heat lamp bulbs that can give me that hot of a spot? the one now just doesn't cut it.

Also, they are totally un-interrested in anything that isn't alive and moving. No intrest what so ever in any fruits, veggies, or greens. :(

I use a zoo-med 75W basking for both of mine, gets the temp's to about 107. 1 is in a 40b and the other is in a 30g and their basking spots are good.

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Originally Posted by dylan815

Also, they are totally un-interrested in anything that isn't alive and moving. No intrest what so ever in any fruits, veggies, or greens. :(

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probably because they werent introduced to them much as they were growing up. Just prepare their dish's and place them in, they will eventually give in on them.

Mix live mealworms in with their greens and maybe chop the greens really small

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Originally Posted by BallPythonWannaBe

Mix live mealworms in with their greens and maybe chop the greens really small

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The little buggers are incredible good at picking through their food :/

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Originally Posted by oodaT

I use a zoo-med 75W basking for both of mine, gets the temp's to about 107. 1 is in a 40b and the other is in a 30g and their basking spots are good.

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I think the bulb is the 75 watt one any reason the hot spots only reading around 85 degrees via infrared heat gun???? Another question, The packaging for the bulbs says; sunlight, UVA, and heat. I just noticed this now. Does it mean UVB by saying sunlight on it?????

remember you can feed the meal worms also, gut load them just like any other insects. I do this with mine as some days my dragons dont want their greens, just their insects.

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Originally Posted by dylan815

I think the bulb is the 75 watt one any reason the hot spots only reading around 85 degrees via infrared heat gun???? Another question, The packaging for the bulbs says; sunlight, UVA, and heat. I just noticed this now. Does it mean UVB by saying sunlight on it?????

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Is it a basking light tho and not a UVA type light?

If the box/bulb does not say UVB on it then it is not a UVB light, most do say "sunlight" on them tho.

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Originally Posted by oodaT

Is it a basking light tho and not a UVA type light?

If the box/bulb does not say UVB on it then it is not a UVB light, most do say "sunlight" on them tho.

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It does say basking light on it. It looks like a normal round bulb and not a long skinny tube like lots of other UVB ones. No where does it have the letters UVB. But it misleading because it says "sunlight" on it.

can you post a pic of the setup? Not sure why your 75W isn't getting the basking spot up to temp, unless its just too far to put the heat down to a surface.

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Originally Posted by oodaT

can you post a pic of the setup? Not sure why your 75W isn't getting the basking spot up to temp, unless its just too far to put the heat down to a surface.

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Just left the house for class. Will post a picture when i get home at in about an hour. It is sitting on the screen top of the 40 G Breeder tank.

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also, I'm i correct in saying that the uvb light should be in the tank? not sitting on top of the screen because the screen will blocks lots of the rays??thank!

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Originally Posted by dylan815

Just left the house for class. Will post a picture when i get home at in about an hour. It is sitting on the screen top of the 40 G Breeder tank.

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also, I'm i correct in saying that the uvb light should be in the tank? not sitting on top of the screen because the screen will blocks lots of the rays??thank!

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This "might" be the problem, since a 40b does have a good bit of height to it, try getting a raised platform that will get the basking spot about midway up the tank so the basking light doesn't have as far to reach a surface. Thats how mine is, the raised platform is about midway up.

Dont mind the dirtiness, in the process of cleaning now lol.

And yes, that is a Xbox one hide [emoji23][emoji23] he doesn't care much for cool side hide so I took it out and just gave him more to climb on.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...82e003c33e.jpg

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Okay, i will make him something for him to climb up on to get closer to the light. Thank you for all your help!!! I haven't had lizards since i was a little kid and it was a little leopard gecko. I normally wouldn't jump into anything like this normaly, but in knew these guys really needed to be saved. I got them for $50 from the guy. My heart couldn't let me not get them. I guess i figured even though i don't know a ton about these guys i could still improve their quality of life within a week or two.

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Okay, i will make him something for him to climb up on to get closer to the light. Thank you for all your help!!! I haven't had lizards since i was a little kid and it was a little leopard gecko. I normally wouldn't jump into anything like this normaly, but in knew these guys really needed to be saved. I got them for $50 from the guy. My heart couldn't let me not get them. I guess i figured even though i don't know a ton about these guys i could still improve their quality of life within a week or two.

No problem, if you have anymore questions just ask away

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Originally Posted by oodaT

No problem, if you have anymore questions just ask away

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Thank you! I'm really stressing about their diet. I'm worried they won't ever want to eat their fruits or veggies : ( also, i never see them drink water? How do you tell if they are dehidrated?

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Originally Posted by dylan815

Thank you! I'm really stressing about their diet. I'm worried they won't ever want to eat their fruits or veggies : ( also, i never see them drink water? How do you tell if they are dehidrated?

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I never see mine drink either. I mist mine down daily and usually as the mist is hitting their face they are licking it as well.

Be sure the light from your basking light and UVB light overlap. You want the rays from each light to overlap as it allows for better absorption in your beardies. I really think this is easier to accomplish with the long tube UVB versus a small bulb. When I get home I can post a picture if it helps. I also had a 75W UVB in a 40g breeder and got the proper basking temps with no problem, but my light was in the tank, and not on top of a screen. So the distance may be preventing you from getting the heat you want.

And you are correct, you don't want the screen interfering with your light, so if there is any way to lose the screen, or cut a hole, that would be preferable.

ETA: I get the black soldier fly larva and rinse them really well before offering them up to my beardie. He gets about 10 of them a day and this is a great way to get moisture into him. He is not a drinker and doesn't have a water dish. I also mix his dusted crawly food in with his mustard and collard greens, with some shaved butternut squash. He does well with the green but will only do the squash if it's accidentally attached to his dubia roach. Eh, it is what it is. I don't over worry it. As long as he gets some veg every day, I'm happy.

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Originally Posted by oodaT

I never see mine drink either. I mist mine down daily and usually as the mist is hitting their face they are licking it as well.

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Cant misting them down cause issues because of raised humidity??

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Originally Posted by hilabeans

Be sure the light from your basking light and UVB light overlap. You want the rays from each light to overlap as it allows for better absorption in your beardies. I really think this is easier to accomplish with the long tube UVB versus a small bulb. When I get home I can post a picture if it helps. I also had a 75W UVB in a 40g breeder and got the proper basking temps with no problem, but my light was in the tank, and not on top of a screen. So the distance may be preventing you from getting the heat you want.

And you are correct, you don't want the screen interfering with your light, so if there is any way to lose the screen, or cut a hole, that would be preferable.

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Awesome info, thank you. I will mount the UVB inside the tank and find a way to suspend the heat lamp over the tank without the screen on it! thanks!

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Originally Posted by dylan815

Cant misting them down cause issues because of raised humidity??

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I haven't had any kind of problem, and i just mean misting the beardie itself down a little, not the actual enclosure. Plus with screen tops, your not going to see any rise in humidity i dont think. I have never, my tanks at most get to 20% at night with the lights off and down to 10-12% during the day.

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Originally Posted by hilabeans

Be sure the light from your basking light and UVB light overlap. You want the rays from each light to overlap as it allows for better absorption in your beardies. I really think this is easier to accomplish with the long tube UVB versus a small bulb. When I get home I can post a picture if it helps. I also had a 75W UVB in a 40g breeder and got the proper basking temps with no problem, but my light was in the tank, and not on top of a screen. So the distance may be preventing you from getting the heat you want.

And you are correct, you don't want the screen interfering with your light, so if there is any way to lose the screen, or cut a hole, that would be preferable.

ETA: I get the black soldier fly larva and rinse them really well before offering them up to my beardie. He gets about 10 of them a day and this is a great way to get moisture into him. He is not a drinker and doesn't have a water dish. I also mix his dusted crawly food in with his mustard and collard greens, with some shaved butternut squash. He does well with the green but will only do the squash if it's accidentally attached to his dubia roach. Eh, it is what it is. I don't over worry it. As long as he gets some veg every day, I'm happy.

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I currently can't get them to eat any veggies or fruits. should i give them baths every week untill they start eating veggies and fruit?

Here is their set up ATM. And a picture of the bulb they were using. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f282f011d9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5a9b5eb8a1.jpg


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If you're gut loading your insects and dusting them with calcium 6x a week, vitamins 1x a week, then your beardies will be getting what they need.

As far as I know, they won't starve themselves to death. So if you offer greens every day, insects every other day, they may eventually take to it. Mine rarely eats greens on his own, but if they're crawling with insects he will take some in as he's scarfing down his protein.

Here is a picture of my set up for light placement:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6d6bc52067.jpg


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It looks like they ate a little of their greens with fruits and veggies last night!! :) maybe there is hope!

thats good, were you able to get the baskin spot temps up?

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Originally Posted by oodaT

thats good, were you able to get the baskin spot temps up?

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I'm still trying to suspend the light above them. You think it would be alright to take the entire top off the tank and hang the light from the shelving above the tank?


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Originally Posted by dylan815

I'm still trying to suspend the light above them. You think it would be alright to take the entire top off the tank and hang the light from the shelving above the tank?


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i believe that would be fine and some people to put them inside their tank if they have the room. just make sure they cant come in contact with it, either just cant reach it or has the cage style gaurd on it. If nothing else, get a cardboard box as a hide/platform like i did and just put something on top of it, a piece of carpet or paper towels, etc.

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Not sure i would leave the top off tho, beardie's can jump lol

Thank you so much for all your help! I actually have some hope for these two guys now. I really didn't think I was going to be able to save them. :(


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This looks better :) https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...76fd333ffd.jpg


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much better, were u able to check the temp? He's right under it tho so thats good.

Can they jump 2 feet straight up?


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No, not that high, mine can jump about half way up his tank going on one of his perches

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Originally Posted by oodaT

i believe that would be fine and some people to put them inside their tank if they have the room. just make sure they cant come in contact with it, either just cant reach it or has the cage style gaurd on it. If nothing else, get a cardboard box as a hide/platform like i did and just put something on top of it, a piece of carpet or paper towels, etc.

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Not sure i would leave the top off tho, beardie's can jump lol

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Do you guys think this would be an alright UVB light? It's a full spectrum Grow light for a green house. It sounds like it gives UVB like the name brand bulbs but is only $10?? what do you people think?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/ViaVolt-2...T52B/203124382

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Originally Posted by oodaT

i believe that would be fine and some people to put them inside their tank if they have the room. just make sure they cant come in contact with it, either just cant reach it or has the cage style gaurd on it. If nothing else, get a cardboard box as a hide/platform like i did and just put something on top of it, a piece of carpet or paper towels, etc.

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Not sure i would leave the top off tho, beardie's can jump lol

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Do you guys think this would be an alright UVB light? It's a full spectrum Grow light for a green house. It sounds like it gives UVB like the name brand bulbs but is only $10?? what do you people think?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/ViaVolt-2...T52B/203124382

Never have used anything like that, I just use what's made for reptiles so I know exactly what they are getting

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Originally Posted by oodaT

Never have used anything like that, I just use what's made for reptiles so I know exactly what they are getting

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Okay, ill just pony up the dough and get the more expensive one.

Sounds good, soon as I get my last 2 snakes I will be getting g 2 of these for mine. Everything in one hood

https://zoomed.com/t5-reptisun-led-uvb-terrarium-hood/

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Originally Posted by oodaT

Sounds good, soon as I get my last 2 snakes I will be getting g 2 of these for mine. Everything in one hood

https://zoomed.com/t5-reptisun-led-uvb-terrarium-hood/

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Awesome! looks like my basking spot is already climbed up to 95 instead of 80. I think its still going to go up. Also, what did you mean by a cover for the heat bulb so they can't touch it? could you explain further or show me a picture of what you mean? $56 later....... i just ordered a UVB fixture and The good bulb.

Some fixtures have a wire cage around the bulb so that your animal can't come in contact with the bulb, just a safety thing for you and your animal.

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Hot spot is reading right around 105 via my infrared heat gun! Thanks for you help!


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