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Re: Need to start accumulating information
First off, I highly recommend visiting www.beardeddragon.org, an extremely helpful beardie community!!
Housing: Aquariums and heat lamps work best for beardies, since they don't need much in the way of humidity and they need pretty high temperatures & a basking spot. Start with a 20 long for a baby or juvie, and as he grows bigger, you will want a minimum of a 40g breeder for an adult, or larger depending on the animal. As for when to do the switch? I believe you'll be able to tell - most juvie beardies are fairly active and he will begin to look cramped as he is jumping around his viv.
Humidity: I wouldn't worry too much about it. The only thing is, they can be prone to dehydration because most beardies won't drink out of a water dish regularly (you can OCCASIONALLY catch them at it). Every couple days you want to either mist the beardie's head a lot so he licks the water off his mouth, or use a pipet or eyedropper to drip it onto his mouth. You can also give them baths semi-regularly, which helps a lot with this. (It's debated how often beardies should be given baths, but I would say once a week is plenty... maybe even once every two weeks if you are hydrating him via the first two methods often.)
Feeding: Don't use mealworms except as an OCCASIONAL treat. They are very unhealthy and lizards can't digest them well. Crickets and superworms are fine as long as they are sized appropriately (you will find more about sizing insects on caresheets). Dust insects with calcium powder EVERY TIME you feed them - it's not hard, just stick the bugs in a plastic bag, sprinkle some dust, and shake'n'bake. You also will want to dust with a vitamin supplement once a week. The best ones to use are Rep-Cal calcium powder and Herptivite - I am not just spouting brand names here - these are hailed as the best all over the beardie keeping world.
Adult beardies will eat around 25 insects a day, separated into two feedings. Juvies will eat more than this. Some people say they feed their juvies 100 crickets in one feeding; however, I found that 30 crickets a day was appropriate. You can't "feed until full" because beardies are opportunistic feeders and will eat constantly if you let them. Know that you are looking at buying in bulk in the future and caring for a tubful of bugs.
A great alternative to crickets are roaches, specifically Blaptica dubia roaches. They don't climb, don't chirp, don't smell, don't fly, and are just as healthy as crickets. (Again, dust everything!)
Beardies are omnivores and need veggies offered daily: http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtrem...Nutrition.html This is a fantastic resource for veggie nutrition facts for beardies. Juvies will only munch a little at their veggies, while adults eat about 50% of their diet in veggies.
Lighting: 12/12 light cycle. Use a reliable UV-emitting strip bulb and an appropriate wattage incandescent heat bulb. "Appropriate wattage" means whatever necessary to get your temps right... usually around 100W worked for me. You should also supplement with a UTH that is on 24/7... this will help keep temps up at night (you usually won't need a night bulb).
Whew... well hope that helped!!
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