beardy questions...

[Beardedragon]

120* is right on the basking spot,

Get it down to 105, 120 is much to hot.

for cooler temps his basking rock doubles as a large hide which he can go under where my digi thermometer reads 78-82

Get rid of the hide, beardies are known to over use them.

he also has a small under tank heat pad on the hot side,

Beardies do not feel belly heat, meaning if it were to malfunction they could get burned and not even move.

i wanted to get him (it) sexed and introduce a mate of similar age, im not looking to breed and make cash, but i would like to give it a try down the line when they reach maturity,

Beardies of the opposite sex cannot live together. Dominance issues and over breeding are the result and even death. Not only that but you will also need to know his linage via whos related to who for both beardies three generations back. Inbreeding is a huge problem and can result in weak, mean, or deformed babies. Not only that but beardies are severely over bred, we really do not need anymore in the market. unless they are highly colorful, which your is pretty but what I do not think breeding standards. If it is a girl she has had a slow start and I doubt she would be the prime candidate to breed anyways once back on track.

the lighting i use a zoo med 75watt basking/day bulb and night purple bulb,

Do not use the night time bulb unless your temps get below 75 at night, and if they do get a ceremic so they are not stressed by the lights.

i use gutload and cricket food, to keep my crickets going, and dust them with calcium before feeding,

What kind of gutload? Most are crap. especially high calcium brands. What is the brand and name of the calcium and vits? D3? No phosphorus?

collard greens and squash ? cooked or raw ? how should it be cut up ?

Raw, cut up to where he will not choke on them.

hes currently on calcium sand, i know the risk for impaction but i monitor every feeding and hes never mistakenly gotten a mouthfull of sand, hes a very meticulous hunter... doesnt just lunge and bite.

get him off that right now. Beardies love to lick things when your not watching.... and also... WHY? Its something that is know and proved many times to cause death, costs more than paper towels or tile and is hard to clean, why would you use it? The cons way out number the pros if there are any that you can find with calci sand, or normal sand for a beardie so small.

i have access to silk worms no problems, i use small-medium crickets, bout 1/2" long and a bit smaller varied... i was hoping he would grow quickly, but i guess thats not working as planned...

thats good, the silks are the best feeder you can give a beardie and make great treats! If you have trouble getting him to get his vegies throw a few on top of it.





Your not using any uvb, that is your ( well, one of all the above) problem right there. Id recommend a MVB bulb to make things simple, and because he has had a slow start. just make sure you use it only once you get a larger tank because it will cook him and overdose uvb him er... All the calcium you have used has been 100% useless just because you have not given him any uvb, doesnt that suck because of the hassle of dusting the crickets!!

Hope this caresheet helps...- Matt