Phetven is on his way!! My new Italian leatherback!y

Hey guys I ordered a new Italian leather back beardie last night. He will be here Tuesday. We held off on shipping until this ice storm is over. And I can get his enclosure set up. I'm really excited, it was him or a giant German, and we chose him. Any advise or helpful tips on these guys is greatly appreciated it. We are going with a 60 gallon tank, a 10.0 UVB and 100 watt reptiglo over a beach wood log for the basking area. Sand for substrate. Orders medium dubias and Phoenix worms and horns for some starter feeders and mustard greens and Swiss chard for his green next week with a little romain, and a huge water bowl for swimming or drinking. I got the calcium and d3 ready too.

The bottom pic won't delete. That was the other German giant we didn't go with.

The above bottom pics where maybes. Sorry !

PoshPenny said:

Hey guys I ordered a new Italian leather back beardie last night. He will be here Tuesday. We held off on shipping until this ice storm is over. And I can get his enclosure set up. I'm really excited, it was him or a giant German, and we chose him. Any advise or helpful tips on these guys is greatly appreciated it. We are going with a 60 gallon tank, a 10.0 UVB and 100 watt reptiglo over a beach wood log for the basking area. Sand for substrate. Orders medium dubias and Phoenix worms and horns for some starter feeders and mustard greens and Swiss chard for his green next week with a little romain, and a huge water bowl for swimming or drinking. I got the calcium and d3 ready too.

The bottom pic won't delete. That was the other German giant we didn't go with.

Click to expand...

I've read that a stack of slate or similar rock can be a good base for the basking area. The stone absorbs heat and releases it more slowly at night.

Can we get that rock at Home Depot?

possibly at home depot.

I've had a colony of dragons since 1994. Lots of generations.

If you are happy with the look of the wood, I wouldn't worry about the stone. Bearded dragons can go really cold at night so a stone releasing heat slowly is not a big deal.

Oh- as far as advice- how long is he? If he's under 8-10" or so, I'd skip the sand until he is larger and just use paper. Sometimes sand can cause impactions in little dragons. Larger ones seem to pass it pretty easily.

Thank you! He is only 8 inches long. 3 months old. I'm so excited we are getting him. I wanted to name him Stevie and my husband reminded me of this meme I laughed hysterically at for a good 30mins.

So we are calling him phetven. I can't wait to meet him. I'll switch out the paper. He arrives on Tuesday. Eeeeek!

I found a landscaping company I'll call tomorrow about slate rock.

Congrats on the little one! I use slate tile myself. Easy to clean, no chance for impaction and it keeps their nails down a little bit too.

Some people have used sand and no issues, but I see too many people with dragons on sand that have issues, so I personally never recommend it.

This is my custom 5x2x2 ft enclosure when I just finished it. There are more furnishings now. They can fit all the way into the cinderblock holes to sleep and do often. And no it's not dirty, they are wet because I just sprayed them down to clean them ! I have 2 of these stacked, 1 for each dragon. My female is 600g and my male is 750g and have no issues going into the hides!

Good luck with the little guy.

Oh wow. That is nice. I'm jealous of the cute little concrete condos! So cool. We priced a few custom closures and they were really nice, but in the end went with a 60gallon tank.

He's very handsome - congratulations -
My daughter used floor tiles from home depot but found the crickets would hide under it so she switched to the carpet stuff they sell- she had to get two sets and still complains that it's hard to keep looking clean. On the new one she got last weekend she just went with paper towels -
There's a good forum for info it's harder to navigate than this one -
http://www.beardeddragon.org/bjive/

I too just orderd a bearded dragon. Mine is a little 8 inch hypo silky. I ordered him about two weeks ago. I went to pick him up a week ago and the breeder called (on my way) and said when she put him in his box his hind let torn off a piece of shed. She wanted to keep him a bit longer and treat the wound. It was so disappointing. I have his little tank all set up and I was counting down the days. She has offered me a refund, but I don't want to give up on him. She says it could take up to three weeks to heal and there will most likely be a scar. I can't stand the wait... But I am going to wait for him because I am already attached. His name will be Appa, and he is suppose to be pure white when he is an adult.

Please post lots of pics of your little guy. Your pics can keep me busy while I wait for mine. I have decided if I get another that I want a white italian leatherback. Where did you get yours?

I got mine at A1 reptiles. They seem nice, but when I called to ask a question the lady seemed slightly annoyed with me. But their reptiles look great. I love the all white ones. I have a lady who offered me her three year old guy named Koda. She can't care for him like she wants (give him
Attention) so I might take him. He comes with all his stuff too.

I'm sorry about your little guy. Don't let it get you down. It's better she treat him now to save you the stress of it. I'll post lots of pics.

I've been looking in to getting a beardie too. Just love their faces lol.
Kath.

Kath I was watching YouTube videos and just couldn't resist anymore. I'm excited for him to arrive.

T this is Koda. He is 3 years old. Phetven with be 3 months old. Excited about my boys!

Aww. I've been doing that too. Good old you tube eh,lol.
I've pretty much made my mind up, I just need to get a few things and read a bit more and I'll be good to go look for one.
Kath.

Yikes man, I went over to the bearded dragon forum and there is a lot of drama on the threads. I think I'll just stick to this room for now and lurk over there for tid bits that can help.

So you got the other one as well? Very nice!!! I guess you should be getting Phetven any time now. Waiting on the pics!! I e-mailed the place you got Phetven to ask if they had any white italian leatherback females. I haven't heard back. My little silky is still healing at the breeders. It looks like the earliest I can get him will be Monday. I am just not good at waiting.

Little Stephen. He is so tiny!