Beardies R Buddies 4 Life

 

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🏠 Enclosure

- Minimum size: 120x40x40 cm  

- Start with a large enclosure from the beginning to save money—upgrading as they grow is unnecessary and costly.  

- Bigger is always better, but never go smaller than the minimum size.

 

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💡 Lighting

- UVB Bulb:  

  - Use fluorescent tube UVB bulbs, not screw-in coils.  

  - UVB must spread across the entire enclosure to cover the beardie’s full body.  

  - Inadequate UVB causes Metabolic Bone Disease, seizures, and even death.  

  - Best option: Reptile Systems Zone 3 Kit (available in two sizes).  

    - Long-lasting (replace once a year)  

    - Built-in reflector  

    - More cost-effective than cheaper bulbs that degrade quickly (some in as little as 4 months).  

 

- Basking Bulb (for daytime heat):  

  - Avoid red or colored bulbs—they can irritate eyes and disrupt sleep.  

  - Use bulbs that emit orange or yellowish light and provide heat.

 

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🥗 Water & Food

- Water Bowl:  

  - Always provide fresh water, even if they don’t drink often.  

  - Refill when empty.

 

- Salad Bowl (Daily Greens):  

  - Offer a variety of safe vegetables and greens daily.  

  - Rotate ingredients for a range of nutrients.  

  - Rinse thoroughly—no pesticides!  

  - Chop or grate into manageable sizes.  

  - Note: Beardies are omnivores but need more greens than insects.  

  - Use the Tortoise Table (mobile app or website) to guide feeding frequency.

 

- Insects:  

  - Options: Dubia roaches, crickets, mealworms  

  - Order online from reputable suppliers.  

  - Contact me for recommendations and pricing.

 

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💊 Supplements

- Calcium Powder (without D3)  

- Calcium Powder with D3  

- Multivitamin Powder  

- Dust insects with these regularly—ESSENTIAL for a healthy beardie.

 

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🧼 Cleaning & Disinfecting

- Use F10 disinfectant for cleaning.  

- Apply germicidal barrier ointment as needed.

 

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🌿 Décor & Accessories

- Branches, logs, rocks  

- Two hides (minimum)  

- Safe décor (avoid fake plants with babies—they may ingest them)  

- Temperature sensors & thermostats  

  - Avoid analog sensors—they’re inaccurate  

  - Use digital sensors and a temperature gun (set to surface temp)  

- Safe Substrate:  

  - Adults: 50/50 mix of topsoil and play sand  

  - Babies/hospital setups: newspaper or paper towel

 

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🩺 Health Checks

- Regular vet visits recommended  

- Fecal exams: Twice per year  

- VERY IMPORTANT

 

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🚫 Important Reminders

- DO NOT COHABITATE  

  - Never house two beardies together—they will fight.  

  - Even opposite genders should not be housed together—early mating can cause injury or egg binding in females.  

- Breeding is complex  

  - Not recommended for beginners!

 

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📚 Helpful Resources

- YouTube Channels:  

  - Reptiles and Research  

  - Tomas Griffiths (Tomaskas)  

- Websites:  

  - Pete Hawkins at Reptile Networks  

  - The Tortoise Table (safe plant guide)  

- Apps:  

  - Picture This (plant identifier)  

- Bearded Buddys: https://linktr.ee/beardedbuddys