Mistakes I've made as a Bearded Dragon owner

[@RileyREI]

Respect for teaching others in this way.

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

Thanks! 😀

[@jeffreymagni1272]

Hey. Just discovered your video. What an honest and down to earth discussion. I've made my fair share of mistakes too, but it's OK if your learn from it. Fun Fact: If your dragon just sits all day on the basking spot, It's not intense enough.. if they shy away from it then it's too intense. Don't dim your bulb more than a little.. better to get a smaller bulb as the quality of the light diminishes greatly. I like to start with a 100w incandescent that is 9 to 10 inches from animals back while sitting on basking spot that it can climb up to. They love to climb!

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

Technically his basking spot is his hide on the right side, but he loves to perch on his tree. And he does move around as he is stalking me. LOL! I've found that 100W for my dragon's enclosure isn't quite enough, but the 150 is a little too much, so I have mine up a bit, but also have a dimmer available if I need to use it. But yeah, when I was a first time owner, I didn't know nearly as much as I do now. It's good to learn and share the knowledge! Thanks for watching!

[@HissyFitPetTherapy]

Love this video! 😊❤ thank you for the great info! Your openness will help many.

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

@@HissyFitPetTherapy - thanks so much!

[@chrisg2419]

Hi. I am really struggling to figure out what is wrong with my beardie. She stays in her hide all the time. Its actually the same hide you have in the video. The vet has come to the house twice now to make sure her set up and lights were correct. We did blood work and a fecal. We treated her for parasites but she still is having loose stools so now shes on a probiotic. I was thinking of adding a heat pad to her hide so help her digest her food. Thank you

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

@@chrisg2419 - definitely don't do a heat pad or heat rock. How old is your beardy? Did you get a clean fecal after the meds? Have they always been shy or is this new behavior?.

[@chrisg2419]

​​@@Midwest_Lizard_Mom I got her off craigslist. They said she was three. I've had her since March and she has always been this way. The vet didn't redo the fecal because she said there was only a low amount of parasites and she didn't feel that's what was causing it. The heat pad would be on a hepstat thermostat. If that makes any difference. I was going to set it for 85f . And shut it off at night.

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

It's not a good idea to do a heat pad with bearded dragons. Have you checked the temps with a temp gun? How long have you had her?

[@chrisg2419]

@@Midwest_Lizard_Mom ok, I won't do the pad. I've checked the temps and uvb numerous times with a temp gun and uvb meter and the vet checked them when she was here. I've had her since March of this Year. I'm thinking maybe the noise is stressing her out. I try to keep it as quiet as possible but I have a dog and my neighbors have dogs. I also have guinea pigs.

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

@chrisg2419 - they can be stressed by things outside of their enclosure. Hiding can be something they do when stressed. When you talk her out make sure your other pets aren't able to get to her. Ideally, have them in another room when you take your beardy out. For stress but also for safety.

[@AstridHoover]

Are cucumbers and carrots bad to give bearded dragons?

[@jeffreymagni1272]

@AstridHoover IMO Cucumbers aren't necessarily "bad" but they're just super high in water and not much else. Good if you think they are a bit dehydrated. Carrots are good source of Beta Carotine for them but the sugars while not as bad as fruit is still present so go easy. I just give a dusting of Carrots once a week to add a bit of color to their greens. Carrots do make a better food for their feeder insects though. My guys bulk of food is Collard greens, kale, Mustard greens and Rocket aka Arugula. I do some baby Bok choy or spring greens occasionally too.

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

They're ok to give 2-3 times a week. I honestly don't, since there are many other better options. I made a video about bearded dragon diet, I'll include the link if you want to check it out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGrCfHiuZ8ioirMsi=YPh6lDDParGUP6RD

[@DaveBayliss-v6d]

Hey Midwest lizard mom I have a vivarium which is Size: 120 x 45 x 60cmH can you tell me if this is a big enough size for mine please thanks

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

So 120 centimeters wide by 45 centimeters deep and 60 centimeters tall (4 feel by 18 inches and 2 feet tall). That's a good side enclosure! If you can get a slightly larger enclosure so they have more depth, that would be ideal. An adult would be best in an enclosure measuring: 121.92cm X 60.96cm X 60.96cm (4ftx2ftx2ft). This way they will have enough room to turn around when they're an adult... especially if they're on the larger side. Since they can be 45.72cm - 60.96cm (18-24 inches) with their tail in length.

[@DaveBayliss-v6d]

@@Midwest_Lizard_Mom hey thanks so much for replying would you suggest maybe joining a smaller vivarium to my present one to extend it , also if you have any tips for feeding salad greens with Yoda know 18 months old I’m trying to persuade him off live feed which seems to be a bit of a task he’s very clever I have watercress capsicum cucumber currently and apple he tried mashed banana earlier and was impressed thanks 😀

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

@DaveBayliss-v6d - extending the current vivarium is not something I would be experienced in doing and not sure if it would be safe. Sorry. Re picky dragon... you can try adding bee pollen to salads if they don't like their greens. A combo over found helpful for my dragon is mustard greens, dandelion greens and butternut squash or acorn squash. There are many more options. You may just need to try different ones. I have a vid on their diet I'll share a link. Have you tried putting bugs in the salad?

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

Here's info to bearded dragon diet. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGrCfHiuZ8ioirMsi=CZpqopWDkYNGj2xr

[@DaveBayliss-v6d]

@@Midwest_Lizard_Mom hey thanks for the reply I have put mealworms in with his greens 🥬 he was starting to eat it but know he waits for the mealworms to surface. And then eats them he’s very cunning I do also feed him rashers jelly which has so much in it. I have tried dried flowers especially for bearded dragons and fresh dandelions. I also find gently rubbing capsicum around his mouth he eats it, although if I don’t do this he won’t. I was also feeding him mesclun salad which is a no its just water.

[@johnthayre8088]

Hi there is John from England we've update on froggy my bearded dragon my old boy wouldn't eat anything I've now got him eating worms and other stuff as well easy in now I have to trick him though after all get it right up to his mouth and then I shoved the greens in and he jumps down on them doesn't like the greens very much but other than that he's starting to eat them bits take me a while but I've done it❤

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

Hi John! I'm so glad you're getting Froggy to eat salad (even if you're tricking then). Way to go!!! I hope they continue to improve! - Susie

[@johnthayre8088]

@@Midwest_Lizard_Mom yes this is taking me a long time since I last spoke to you about him who wouldn't eat anything I started feeding him a gel which has absolutely everything in it greens a lot hornworms which we don't get in England because they're not allowed in syringe the gel in I shoved in some rocket in and he started eating it so every time I just kept giving a little bit more and a little bit more I think yeah about six whole leafs that day and since then I now do him his worms and then as he's eating and he's got his gobbo when I shove a little bit of green into his mouth so he eats he was still get the gel because there's a few other bits and pieces which are in that which is very good for him and I tried to put Kelsey power on stuff for him as well because he does have a little bit of MBD on his right and left shoulder neck xxxx

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

You didn't give up! You persisted, and Froggy, your little buddy is doing better! Are you giving him a multivitamin and using a linear UVB?

[@johnthayre8088]

Hi is John from the UK yes froggy get uvb he also got ceramic light for the nighttime because it's quite cold over here now he's also got a basking bowl which he never had before and I gave him a pillow and he absolutely loves it he lays on it he sleeps on it I found him in his house the small in which is new to he has a rob a big water dish which he likes to climb in and have a soap because he won't drink water I can't give it to him by syringe either have to spray him or put him into his bath or I put him in the bath so he has a good soak in the bath is very alert he knows his name when I call him and when I sit down with him he knows it's I think now he's loving life and I hope he goes on for quite a few years before he goes he's eight or nine at the moment but we have found out that he's about 80 years old in human Google's quite a good place for a little bit of knowledge keep doing your shows not keep on watching love watching you love your dragon the grey one it's late evening over ❤

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

I'm so glad that Froggy is doing better. I hope I helped. One Froggy is eating salad consistently, they will get their water from their salad. I would avoid misting, as it can put them at risk for a respiratory infection. 😞

[@johnthayre8088]

@@Midwest_Lizard_Mom manoa told you froggies eat in salad but he doesn't eat a lot of it you won't clear it I have to give him I have to roll it up and he's shove it in his mouth bodies eat in a bug or something so I'm hoping he gets enough water from the just the amount he gets I'll try them again this morning and feed him some more salad Thursday morning I tried to give him seven he wouldn't have any of it he just he's mealworm and he still gets his jail

[@johnthayre8088]

Just finished watching your video This Morning my name's Jonas spoke to you before you sent me corresponding messages when I ask you about my hi midwest Mummy I just watched your video at 7 o'clock this morning here in England love didn't realise you lost one of yours and how bad it was for you when you first started I've made a few mistakes when we first got the first one Mr bambam but now I think I know a lot I've just started just started getting Mr Froggy to eat a gel which has got everything in it horm worms you name it it's all in it because here in England we can't buy homeworms I can only buy mealworm I can buy Mario worms I can buy doobie roaches snails crickets squash every now and again I'll give them a little bit of water men and which you can do once once a month they have the Kelsey powders be trouble is over here we can't get half of what you have in the States we can only get what we can get like silkworms I can't the hopeless message makes sense because it's a bit equal to people t my voice dictator don't work very well I don't spell very well so I try and talk to my phone I don't mind telling you I'll get embarrassed about doing this this way around but my Mr Frog who's the one I rescued a few weeks ago a month ago now I've just started managed to get in Greens into him when I give him a little feed with a syringe he opens his mouth shove a bit of Greens in love watching you adore your grey one xxxxx

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

@johnthayre8088 - I'm so glad Froggy is doing better! My first one didn't pass away. We had to rehome her, which was sad. 😞 so much has changed in 8 years of reptile keeping. I know much more now, and feel confident sharing my knowledge and love for reptiles. Especially my beardy Kaiju! I think I passed on some insect breeders that operate in the UK. I hope that was helpful. Re salad items.... it can be tricky to find things here to at certain times. Have you tired growing some veggies? I find it tricky to do inside, but I've done it here and there in the winter.

[@johnthayre8088]

Didn't mean by passing away as dying just so sorry that you had to give him away or her away to somebody else to look after because of

[@Midwest_Lizard_Mom]

@@johnthayre8088 - ahhhh. Ok.