Bearded Dragon Enrichment Ideas

[@RealJRoyall]

Idk if it's the accent or what, but the way you impart information just sticks with me. I have ADHD like crazy so a lot of times I need to watch videos 3 or 4 times to get it all. Never with yours. I retain the info the first time and watch 3 or 4 times just to get those numbers higher haha. Thanks for another great video!!

[@ellesreptiles]

🥺 Thank you so much. As someone who also has pretty bad ADHD and knows the struggle, that means a lot. ♥️

[@robertnorris8367]

Yay, more ideas to enrich the life of the bearded dragon I don’t actually have yet. 🤭😂 excellent as always Elle.

[@ellesreptiles]

😂

[@moniquereynolds7946]

I take my Beardie on car rides

[@chainedsoul83]

Same I’m getting mine Sunday

[@aliciasherlock303]

I had a bearded dragon crawl over a baby gate and run through a sea of pit bulls/exotic bullies and made all them stay back and found a spot on the couch to hang out. LOL There were 9 dogs, and a ton of other friends all living together and super happy!!!

[@SmokiWonKenobi]

Truffle just watches the sky outside. I put a tennis ball in his enclosure to see if he would play with it. He's trying to eat it but he's a happy boy.

[@its_not_me999]

How many of you watched a video on bearded dragon enrichment but don't have or don't plan on getting one anytime soon! ✋

[@minibatman2.016]

WARNING HUGE PARAGRAPH: I'm new to owning a bearded dragon so I'm trying to learn as much as i can. I know its not responsible to own one before learning about them but it was a family emergency where my mom needed to leave her apartment bc the walls had mold in it caused by her neighbors washing machine flooding and she needed a new place to stay and that new place didnt allow pets. Not even fish, which luckily im a fish keeper as a hobby and had an open tank for her betta with a heater but its 40gal so its kinda funny seeing one old betta (hes 6 years old) in such a large tank by himself, so I was her last option when it came to taking care of the beardy. I did as much research as i could a week before getting her (the beardy) and bought her a 40 gal tank (I know she should probably have a bigger one considering shes an adult but I let her have freetime outside her tank to hangout in my room daily so she doesnt feel cramped, and I plan on building a ramp for her so when Im awake and in my room to supervise, Ill open the door and she can come in and out as she pleases), her tank has top soil and play sand mixed together and i made sure to use the kind safe for bearded dragons, I got her a hammock, rock hide, rocks to lay on under a wooden cave hut i set up, fake plants to imitate nature but safe so they dont harm her, and Im saving up to get her an outside play area and a leash because i dont know how she will react to being outside. I dont have a big room, infact its probably the size of a medium to small bathroom so I try my best with what I can. And having a 40 gal fish tank and a 40 gal bearded dragon tank takes up almost half of my room. I put her tank next to my window and open the curtains for her to look outside and when its warm I would open the window and let her bask in the sunlight (theres a window screen to protect her) and I have a small bench under the window for her to climb on. She seems to really enjoy it bc theres a creek outside my window and I own chickens and she likes to watch them. Although one time there was a hawk and she ran onto the bench to get away from the window. I learned that bearded dragons have a third eye bc of them being prey of birds so it makes sense she ran. If theres things I should fix or any advice / criticism please let me know because I just want the best for her. I'm still learning but Id like to learn from others before learning the hard way. Btw she only eats mixed greens and for some reason doesnt really eat any other fruits and veggies. I tried cutting up all sorts of different fruits and veggies that I saw online were safe for them to eat and she wouldnt touch them. I also use calcium powder and all nearby pet stores sell crickets. Im not sure what other bugs they sell and which are safe for her.

[@minetruly]

I have advice for the betta. The 40 gallon tank is actually good. Just have shallow water in it with lots of plants or sticks for it to swim around. They thrive in shallows of rice paddies with a lot of plants to swim around and hide among. Like reeds, grasses, etc. or fake ones.

[@minibatman2.016]

@@minetruly yeah, I have 3 big sponge filters though so I have to have it mostly full but I have a lot of hammocks towards the top for him to lay on. I was going to set up a smaller 3.7gal because I have no idea where my 10gal went after we moved, and he is elderly so a smaller space would help but then I wouldn’t be able to have live plants in there and I have very little space for it in general. So I’m just trying to make his giant castle of a tank adaptable for him. I also have driftwood, real rocks and some real rocks that were carved and hollowed so it’s like hides but they look natural, black sand and some plant substrate for the plants. He’s also got floating logs. It wasn’t going to be a betta tank, I wanted to make a community tank with female honey gouramis, neon tetras, panda corys, emperor tetras and one female opaline, blue or pearl gourami for the centerpiece.

[@jessicasisk7832]

I put a bubbler in a cake pan.. sideye runs in with excitement. Loves ❤️ it.

[@dakotajones7655]

To anyone reading please do not use loose substrate! I absolutely loved my loose substrate (it was some exoterra soil thing) for about five moths, but my bearded dragon loves to burrow and earlier this week I found her buried in the substrate with an eye infection! It’s not worth it. It’s beautiful and easier to clean but not worth risking scratched and/or infected eyes.

[@chainedsoul83]

I’m getting my forest ever adult bearded dragon . I’m getting one from a rescue . Your videos have help with my research so much

[@hannahstalnaker4547]

Mine loves to free roam! He uses the doggie stairs to get on and off the bed. The strollers are also awesome! I use one for him. Window time is his absolute favorite!

[@bethpaul4570]

My beardy is very active so I thought the play pin idea was great. 2 minutes later. He’s out. Lol. I didn’t have much in the pin so next time Imma put more for him to climb on. Thank

[@joyglocker8318]

Hey, I also have seen these little balls, made for dogs, where you can put food in, like worms. The beardie has to figure out to move the ball in order to get the worms...

[@davidphillips2798]

Good morning Elle, have an amazing Sunday!!! You're bearded dragon is adorable!!!

[@ellesreptiles]

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday as well! 😁

[@davidphillips2798]

@@ellesreptiles thank you Ma'am 😊

[@lisastaros6359]

Do you recommend dig boxes for Itty bitty baby bearded dragons?

[@loriw2661]

I’d love it if you did a video on Ball Python enrichment. I got my first Ball Python a couple months ago. He’s amazing and doing very well. It would be interesting to get your take on BP enrichment. Thanks!!

[@naou4030]

I love your Southern accent and you're so pretty. Thanks for these amazing ideas, been struggling with some enrichment ideas for my beardie while I'm at work all day 😷

[@cathyhogue3693]

My beardie loves to chase the black soldier flies. I always let some hatch and Quetzalcoatl loves chasing them around. They are slow fliers so she's pretty good at catching them.

[@kyleblyle9935]

Youre vides have been so helpful for me as a first time owner! Thank you and keep it up!

[@loispadgett6306]

It always makes my Sunday when I See your video is out. A neither great one on enrichment for the beardy. I have been trying new things to see what they like best. Plan on changing things up now and then to make them think more and move to check out the new things you add. Thank you Elle for making my day. GOD BLESS 😀💖💖💖

[@J3NK81]

I’m thinking of getting my first beardy and you have been a lot of help for research. Thanks

[@MO_Outdoorsman]

Thank you! I was so exited when I saw this video!!

[@ellesreptiles]

You're very welcome! 😊

[@tjreptiles2019]

I do all that for my girl Lacey she is so spoiled she has one of those pins she goes outside in she loves it!💖💜

[@kevinleboeuf5169]

Some of these are good tips for my BTS as well. Have a great week!👍

[@cristinakane8358]

Enjoying the channel I’m new to the reptile world and I have Enki a toddler and Ishtar a young adult and me and my guy has been working as a team. Your channel has been very helpful. Thanks 😊

[@briellebaribeau6571]

I LOVE YOUR VIDS QUEEN

[@ellesreptiles]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@loraleesmith5367]

Hi Elle! I absolutely love your videos & using your tips for my bearded dragon! Could you please make a video on proper tank setup for bearded dragons?

[@GogeeReptileCuddles]

I love that you don’t have tile

[@AllCanadianReptileGirl]

Great ideas! I WISH my Beardie loved eating her greens, it’s always a struggle! I’m going to try adding bee pollen to her salads because I’ve heard this is something they really love to eat. Have you heard this too?

[@rapsbynando]

Try different types of greens too

[@daveh6401]

Hey Elle fantastic video very informative I think that you including your bloopers at the end of each video let’s people see how you make videos. Best wishes to the family.

[@dragonkingbioactive7665]

Great stuff!

[@fk8chick893]

Hi ! Thank you for all the info u give .❤. What’s the longest you guys keep your adult dragons out for ? I get nervous he will get cold if he’s out too long but he loves watching tv

[@carriewilliford1225]

Is paper towel an ok beardie substrate? I know it is safe but you know... My beardie loves throwing back one of the paper towels and sitting there- he uses it as a blanket. I am going to upgrade him sooner than later and I will put lots of enrichment in there!

[@victoriacugini9147]

Love this!!! Thank you so much

[@SeeBurb]

love ur vid just got my first bearded dragon saturday and yuor vids helped a lot his name is zuko super mellow and is great with handling love his salads but hates crickets lol. love ur channal :D

[@keithwillis4524]

Mine used to like sweet potatoes once in awhile..

[@susanosman3643]

Hi Elle, I want to feed my Beardie FLOWERS--- are Marigolds edible for Beardies. I have some BRIGHT YELLOW ones that I grew on my back deck.

[@ellareynolds7878]

I'm getting a beardie in about four weeks, he'll be about 6 weeks old... I'm so excited! Should I call him Theo, Loxton or Meatlug??? Meatlug is definitely the crowd favourite so far (From how to train your dragon, look it up if you don't know it

[@ItsHelen14]

my bearded dragon loves crickets he has been eating the dubia roaches though

[@rmoak06]

Hiya, we recently got a beardie and have been watching all your videos, we did the same tilling method for her viv after watching your video on it and doing some more research and we’re now trying to make a dig box for her, I was wondering what sand and soil you use for your beardies dig box? Also I recently discovered you could have Aloe Vera in her viv witch is my favourite plant so I’m happy to see you suggested the same thing :)

[@nea6849]

Do you have ”the same video” for leopard geckos? Can i do these with my gecko?

[@n3llipunk]

Can you give details on your mix for loose substrate. I saw top soil but what else did you use and what brand of play sand

[@ellesreptiles]

That mix was top soil, reptisoil, and children's play sand. I think that play sand was Quikrete brand. 😊 This (very reliable) website lists different loose substrate options: reptifiles.com/bearded-dragon-care/bearded-dragon-substrate-housing/

[@n3llipunk]

@@ellesreptiles thank you

[@jonathanlim3614]

Would the naturalistic setup be okay for a juvenile?

[@agustiny2k]

Make a video about edible plants!

[@avevolonjackson1954]

Where did you get the feeding bowls

[@mindykirschman3462]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!! Um so I'm getting a bearded dragon soon and I'm getting a 40 gallon is that okay?

[@ellesreptiles]

For a baby that's fine! An adult will need more space

[@olthousem02]

What sounds do bearded dragons make?

[@El_Bells16]

How often should I switch out insects?

[@raytpuc]

My bearded dragon sleeps a lot and I’m scared of that and he never really eats and we took him to the vet but they can’t do anything about it

[@opgihewi7899]

My beardie never goes under his uvb light, is that normal?

[@jaycoupar5627]

I redid my bearded dragons tank about a month ago and he has been hiding and sleeping almost all day for a month, is this normal?

[@CountryKirby.]

Hello Elle

[@brizzy_5962]

Is Zaz your only beardie or do you have multiple? Q😁

[@kayla4619]

My roommate recently abandoned her bearded dragon and for the past 5-8 years his light has been on 24 hours a day. What do I do?? Should I start turning it off at night?

[@ZATANIAvsMONIQUE]

They only need about 13 hours of light. The light set up should have the heat lamp and a uvb tube lamp 10.0(the uvb is changed every 6 months). The best thing ever to make it a lot easier on you would be to get a plug in timer that you would plug the lights into and it will automatically turn the lights on/off for you.

[@raquarig1192]

Wtf how can you do that do that to a innocent animal?? does she feed her dragon? I despise people like that !! No good will ever come to them ever . Not your fault tho thank you for caring And yes lights on 12 hour ago and off for 12. Heat must be provided if it’s below 75 in the tank

[@sommaluv]

PLEASE HELP!!! I think my beardie 'squishy' is sad or something I don't know what to do. I've watched all videos and I'm at a loss.

[@briellebaribeau6571]

Early

[@BlackHeartSV1020]

Does anyone travel long distances with theirs I really don’t want to leave mine while we’re on vacation I’ll have him take care of him while I’m gone but they are not staying in my house they will come and feed him but I’d rather have him with me. I really need some suggestions

[@paulmichelin5300]

Hello Paul here, please do not let your bearded dragon eat cicadas. They contain high amounts of oxiolac acid as well acidic acid. That's why birds won't eat/touch them. Let's keep our buddies happy and healthy.

[@ellesreptiles]

Did I say they can eat cicadas in this video? (genuinely asking - I made this video over 2 years ago. I've had a whole stroke since then and don't remember 😅)

[@paulmichelin5300]

@@ellesreptiles hello Paul here the availability of cicadas was not so two years ago. I didn't want your follower's to think of them a once in seven year treat. U R feeling well I trust. Hope I didn't over step my bounds🤒

[@ellesreptiles]

@@paulmichelin5300 no of course not! I always welcome new information (and corrected/updated information) So thank you so much for letting me know! 😊 I just legitimately couldn't remember if that was something I mentioned in the video hahaha

[@paulmichelin5300]

@@ellesreptiles Hi lm always down for are scaly friends. Dr Paul phd entomology, MSU 1976

[@SophiaYacyshen]

WARNING!!!! i bought that exact play pen for my 5 year old beardie and after only a few minuets he climbed up the mesh and got out, buy a pen with a lid!!!!!