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We just got our first bearded drgoan and it has been a real education! First of all, with babies, don't use any of the substrates you can find in pet stores (and never use sand of any sort). Babies are clumsy eaters and they can end up eating the bedding and then getting an impaction that can lead to paralysis and death. Just line the bottom of the tank with paper toweling. When it is older you should then switch to Yesterday's News which is a cat litter product and much more econimical than the substrates marketed for lizards.Second, and this is very important, do not keep a water dish in the tank with your Dragon. This can raise the humidity level to a dangerous level causing respiratory infections that can lead to death.Third, no matter what the sales person at the pet store tells you, don't use a black light for your night time heat source. You want to get a CHE (ceramic heat emitter). Beardies are very sensitive to light and cannot get proper sleep unless their tank is completely dark (they need 8 hours each night). Fourth, don't feed crickets if you can help it. Find a meal worm source (I'm going to order some) and feed the small white ones that have recently shed. Crickets often carry parasites which can infect your Beardie and make it sick. Also, you need to only feed items that are NO BIGGER THAN THE SPACE BETWEEN YOUR BEARDIE'S EYES. Feeding bigger items can cause it to choke or create an impaction (again, paralysis and death are a concern).I strongly suggest joining the DragonTank community. The people there are extremely knowledgeable about Beardies and are really nice and eager to help out new owners. They also have scads of caresheets to help get you on your way.

by Markus 11:46:08 PM 2013.06.27