dragonmecrazy

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Bearded Dragons are not beginner pets.

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He's practicing for the "Twist it!" part of the game Bop-It!

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"mom will never find me here, I so sneaky"

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The process....😅

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Let's talk about start-up reptile kits! 🚫👎

Before: I am only speaking on behalf of what is necessary for proper and aafe husbandry of Bearded Dragons; I cannot speak for other reptiles.

Many chain pet stores like Petco, PetSmart, and even Walmart online, offer these kits. They look like the perfect start, and you get so much in one purchase! Unfortunately however.... much of this kit is no good. Well... The only real benefit from the one pictured below is actually the food/water dish.

So let's break it down!

☆ Enclosure: Most of these kits come in 40gal or smaller enclosures. You *could* use these for a juvenile Bearded Dragon for a very short time, but you will save yourself money and hassle by starting off with a 4x2x2 120gal. The 120gal is the recommended minimum for a Bearded Dragon to thrive. Again, it is the minimum. Another reason to start with the larger enclosure is to better provide a temperature gradient, more room for enrichment, and because Bearded Dragons grow quite quickly. They (the kits) also tend to have clear sides (glass or plastic) which can cause stress to your Bearded Dragon by seeing it's reflection.

☆ Lighting: Yikes! Let's start with that UVB coil, shall we? The short of it — it's trash and won't provide your Dragon with enough UVB. It's been tested with a solar meter and isn't recommended. For proper UVB, you will need a linear T5HO, either the Arcadia 12% OR the ZooMed Reptisun 5.00 or 10.00. Distance from basking and mounting is another topic altogether. I'm in two sister groups for Bearded Dragons and a reptile lighting group — never are these (the coil) bulbs recommended. You're also *losing* heat with the dual domes. It's better to have two separate deep domes for your basking light(s) if you need two. Additionally, it is recommended to have an LED bar for supplemental lighting. I personally use two Arcadia Jungle Dawn bars and it does the trick!

**Note: Amazon is PRICEY with the Arcadia products, there are better places to order from!**

☆ Thermometer/Hygrometer: The analog readers are typically wrong and useless. I personally have two AcuRite digital readers on each side of Astarion's enclosure. These readers tell me the highs, lows, and current temperature and humidity percentages. I got mine from my local hardware store for about $24 each, give or take. You can find them on Amazon, too! Additionally, to measure your basking surface you will need a thermal gun. I got mine for a reasonable price off of Amazon. Easy peasy!

☆ Food/Water Dish: This is okay! BUT, you can find better, and you will find better. I'm a huge fan of Etsy, myself.

☆ ReptiSand: Absolutely do NOT use this! First and foremost: your husbandry should be 100% accurate before using loose substrate. The best substrate you can offer is a 50/50 of children's play sand and organic topsoil (make sure there are NO additives or conditioning agents in it).

☆ The book & Dragon food sample: I can't speak for the book, as I don't own it but it seems like it probably has some helpful stuff in it (hopefully)! The food sample is iffy. Honestly, dried food isn't best for your Dragon. You want to provide a varied diet of fresh greens and feeders (insects). Dried/dead insects don't offer the same nutritional value. Also, NEVER give your Bearded Dragon insects caught from your yard. They could have been exposed to pesticides, other harmful chemicals, and can expose your Dragon to harmful parasites.

Questions or concerns regarding anything here? Feel free to reach out!

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I no longer fit in the tub mum brought me home in

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"No talky before buggy"

— Bearded Dragons, probably.

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A Central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) in the Northern Territory, Australia

by Otto Bylén Claesson

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First post, and a brief introduction! ✨️

Hello, and welcome!

Pictured above and frequently on this blog is Astarion. He is a Pogona Vitticeps, also known as a Central Bearded Dragon. While this blog is largely still under construction, it is functional and ready to go! The purpose of this blog is to inform people on proper husbandry for Bearded Dragons. Additionally, I will be sharing reputable resources for anyone wanting to extend their knowledge or double-check anything I offer!

Bearded Dragons are, unfortunately, deemed a "Beginner" level pet by many chain pet stores that then also provide buyers with inadequate starter kits and setups. Many of these Dragons are also housed in small shop enclosures with multiple others, which can be fatal. Because these stores make misinformed suggestions, many Bearded Dragons live in low-quality standards and wind up in rescues.

My goal is to provide a safe, friendly, and helpful place where I can share everything I have learned in my time researching, caring for these reptiles, and from the community spaces I have joined! So, if you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out! We are always and forever, learning.

— Astarion & Jessie 💙