I want a dragon!

[apaprikao]

Hello everyone!

I'm a dragon owner wannabe. My name is Anjie and my husband posts on here sometimes, mostly on the ball forums. He did post not too long ago about getting me a Beardie. His username is Maverick67.

I've been researching Beardies for a while now and I want to own one some day. With me being pregnant right now I think the best idea is to wait until after the baby is born and see how much time I have to devote to a Beardie. If we got one now my husband would be doing most if not all the work and that just isn't fair since I'm the one that wants it.

We have a 75 gallon long tank in our garage that I want to use as my dragon's home. I think we'll be putting it in our bedroom when it's time to start getting things set up. We'll use a divider if we end up getting a baby to make the space smaller, but I'm not opposed to getting an adult. I would like to have the tank all set up and a thriving dubia colony ready to go before we bring a Beardie home. What suggestions would you give to someone setting up their first dragon tank of that size? What would you put in a 75 gallon and how do I get the heat gradient to be just right?

Thank you so much in advance!

[BPelizabeth]

Well first off congrats and I remember talking to your hubby in regards to that. He's a great guy and you are a lucky girl. I really enjoy his posts.

If you get a baby definetly section the tank off. With babies you don't want put them on sand I would suggest either tile or even papertowels. Personally I use laminate tile with a texture on most of my lizards. Second when babies they eat....20% greens and 80% protien. Some don't even eat the greens but keep offering and they eventually will. Beardies should be given a bath on a weekly basis as well. I would have a basking rock for your beardie and a place where they can get away from the heat to regulate. Basking should be around 98 - 100. Some will go a little higher...some will go a smidge lower. You will also want a shallow water dish that is easy for the beardie to get in and out and something for them to climb on.

As for the light there is a couple of ways to go. Personally speaking I do a mercury vapor light (power sun) which provides uva and uvb and heat. Depending on the temps of your house...you may even need an additional heat lamp as well. I don't use them except for my pets that need a super super high temp as I keep my house at 78 due to all the reptiles. You just want to make sure they do not go below 70 degrees at night. Personally I don't really like below 74 but that is me being worried. When babies and in the summer you should do a a light cycle of 14 hrs on. In the winter with adults only I tend to cut that to 10-12. Beardies tend to like a schedule....at least mine does. They are also very interactive and very smart!!!! Ohhhh....don't feed a baby beardie meal worms....they have too much chitlin and could impact a baby. Dubias are some of the best things for sooooo many lizards out there.

I am sure I missed a ton of stuff....but also here is a website that is just the best for veggies....

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtrem...nframeset.html

you will never regret getting a beardie!! They take a lot more work than snakes but they are so fun and interactive. Seriously....mine makes me laugh all day with her looks and actions. Be sure to take lots of pics and share them with us. They grow up so so fast you will not believe it!!!