Went shopping for a Boa, came home with a Beardie.

[enchantress62]

Thanks for the advice. So you would recommend modifying the 40L instead of buying a new cage? Right now my baby bp is in that cage but I understand it is too large for her. I was going to transfer her into a 20L and put Lex in the 40L but it will have to be modified which will cost a few dollars.

Okay, next thing. This morning a placed about 6 baby crickets (coated with vitimins) into the cage. While I was preparing them Lex came charging down the branch and threw his body against the glass in excitement. lol When I put the crickets in his cage he took off after one but didn't eat it, instead he charged back up the tree. It's now several hours later and I only see one cricket but they could be hiding in there. Is this a normal BD behavior? Should I search the cage for hidden crickets?

[rperry03]

40l is perfect. Make sure you adjust the heat and UV accordingly since its not very tall.

Beardies are funny, they will not over eat and I've caught mine flying across the cage for no reason.

I have not seen it, but somewhere out there in internet myths and legends someone said that crickets can hurt your dragon while he sleeps and that's why i like dubias.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Thanks for the advice. So you would recommend modifying the 40L instead of buying a new cage? Right now my baby bp is in that cage but I understand it is too large for her. I was going to transfer her into a 20L and put Lex in the 40L but it will have to be modified which will cost a few dollars.

Okay, next thing. This morning a placed about 6 baby crickets (coated with vitimins) into the cage. While I was preparing them Lex came charging down the branch and threw his body against the glass in excitement. lol When I put the crickets in his cage he took off after one but didn't eat it, instead he charged back up the tree. It's now several hours later and I only see one cricket but they could be hiding in there. Is this a normal BD behavior? Should I search the cage for hidden crickets?

From what I have been told, it is ok to keep a baby bear die in a 40 gallon tank... but I can't say for sure since I don't have any first hand experience.

I've been feeding mine in a separate small plastic cage so the crickets can't hide.

I'm using one of these: (random picture from google)

[enchantress62]

I'm using one of these: (random picture from google)

[IMG]http://i2.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/2d/c7/7706_35.JPG

That's a great idea and I have one of those that I haven't been using. I hate the idea of crickets living and breading in his cage. Fact is I hate crickets period. They remind me of roaches and that grosses me out. I am definitely looking for alternatives and will check out the foods being suggested.

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

I have not seen it, but somewhere out there in internet myths and legends someone said that crickets can hurt your dragon while he sleeps and that's why i like dubias.

It's no myth. You can often see the bite marks on pictures of baby beardies for sale. It looks like a small off-colored dark spot. It's really noticeable on the head. I am not sure if dubias do or not, but it's a good rule to remove any live food that isn't confined (like worms in a bowl).

[enchantress62]

Good to know. I'll go search the cage for left overs. So I looked up the dubias and I don't know, I am almost phobic about roaches. I want to do what's right for Lex but the idea of roaches getting loose in the house just about sends me into a panic. Any other suggestions?

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

Crickets and dubias are the best food for baby dragons. You can supplement with other types as they get older but those are the best primary insects. Crickets are fine if you can't handle dubias.

If your willing to try dubias though, they do look very different from the American pest roach, I believe its called the German Roach. Dubias are tropical and look like beetles, in fact I actually call them tropical beetles instead of roaches to not freak out friends and family. Depending upon how cold your house is, they will most likely not be able to survive if escaped and will definitely not be able to breed so you have no worries about an infestation.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Crickets and dubias are the best food for baby dragons. You can supplement with other types as they get older but those are the best primary insects. Crickets are fine if you can't handle dubias.

If your willing to try dubias though, they do look very different from the American pest roach, I believe its called the German Roach. Dubias are tropical and look like beetles, in fact I actually call them tropical beetles instead of roaches to not freak out friends and family. Depending upon how cold your house is, they will most likely not be able to survive if escaped and will definitely not be able to breed so you have no worries about an infestation.

So which would you say is better? I'm probably going to set up a small breeding colony. Which is easier to breed? and which is better for my beardie? (if there is any difference at all)

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

So which would you say is better? I'm probably going to set up a small breeding colony. Which is easier to breed? and which is better for my beardie? (if there is any difference at all)

Dubias, hands down! They are more nutritional than crickets and much, much easier to breed. They also don't smell and don't chirp.

I will say that I prefer crickets for newly hatched babies and on up to about 4-6 weeks old. I think that they are a little easier to digest and the jumping stimulates a feeding reaction better than the dubias scuttling. Once they hit the 6 week mark though, they do just fine on dubias as the primary.

[enchantress62]

Which is easier to breed? and which is better for my beardie? (if there is any difference at all)

Dido on this subject. I'll get over my fears if the bubia's are definitely what I should be feeding but since I just bought 100 crickets he'll have to eat them for now.