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Post by punkshoo on Mar 1, 2006 22:25:56 GMT -5
Recently my fiance and I had to do some upgrading of homes for our dragons. We set up a 7 foot long and 2 foot deep mesh reptarium for our largest beardie, Smeagol. We used play sand for the substrate, put 2 cacti in the sand, and placed his rock cave of substantial size in his new home. It seems that instead of basking on his rock as per usual, he climbs the sides of the mesh nowhere near the basking lamp. Anyone have any suggestions or experience with this sort of thing? |
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Post by Sterling on Mar 4, 2006 14:46:24 GMT -5
Mesh inclosures are not a good choice for bearded dragons. They don't keep in heat or light very well at all and the dragon can rub its nose on it so bad that a vet trip might be in order. Also, if climbing it, their nails could get caught or they could fall. I recommend costum built cages, because the tanks are not always big enough for the dragon and don't keep in light very well either, and beardies thrive in the brightness of their enclosure. Here are pictures of my custom built enclosures made out of melamine which I recommend because it is bright and easy to clean. These are 4'x2'x2' with sliding glass doors and ventilation. They should also have UVB running the length of the enclosure.   Also, you might have already heard this but loose substrates are NOT safe, they will be consumed over time by the animal and cause impaction and possibly kill your dragon. Solid substrates that are recommended include: newspaper, paper towels, shelf liner (non-ahesive), tile, or no substrate. |
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Post by punkshoo on Mar 5, 2006 0:47:37 GMT -5
Im more in it for the asthetic value... that terrium looks very plain. I dont see why a late juvi dragon cannot live with play sand substrate. Also, we live in Florida and the cage is on the porch so he gets lots of natural sunlight (Does the mesh filter it?) and the temp is around 70+ at night and 80+ during the day and around 100+ in the basking spot. What we did was put him back in his old tank. I think he's just grown to it. Its a 40 gallon 3 foot long and whatever other measurements tank. He has a cave, food dish, sand substrate, and a nice warm basking light. He seemed really content in it today. Im guessing he just isnt fond of the open spaces. We put the younger beardie in the larger cage and it was running around having a blast chasing crickets and what not. Im think about covering the back and sides with vinyl. Do you think that will help keep the temperature up a bit?
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Post by Pooka on Mar 6, 2006 10:18:28 GMT -5
I'm not a big fan of mesh reptariums as permenant home setups for reptiles other then thoser that require the open air setup like chams. Temps are tough to keep up as is humididity. I find them attractive and certainly like using them as travel or sunning cages but not as a permenant home, I find wood to be a better choice.
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Post by punkshoo on Mar 6, 2006 12:17:14 GMT -5
I think Im going to sell the mesh thing and build a 4 food long enclosure out of my WD Viv leftovers. I havent had a problem with temps and the dragons dont require a lot of humidity but the d**n thing is half the size of my living room and I had to move it inside because theyre remodeling the apartment complex. Im also looking to get rid of the smaller dragon, Applesauce. She's been nothing but trouble for us and I think she might make somebody a better pet than us. She was supposed to be she but from the looks of it Apple is male(ill post a pic soon). Smeagol lets us pet him and hold him but Apple goes psycho when you let her out of her tank.
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Post by Pooka on Mar 8, 2006 12:13:14 GMT -5
Sorry to hear your having issues, all of them have their own little personalities, some are tougher to get along with for some people then others...
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