Well I took in a bearded dragon today!!

[Whatcamo]

Well today I had a bearded dragon dumped on me!
I had been planning on gettin one. I just wasn't completely done with my research I'm not sure yet if it's a male or female I was told its about 18 months old
She looks over all healthy from what I can tel here is a pic of it in my hand would you say it looks healthy? And appropriate size for age?
Also please quick pointers from experienced keepers would be great ! It has a vet check up for a exam in the morning as well since my vet said she'd check him/her for free

 

[ataraxia]

No pixxers

Heres what i replied in your last thread.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/help-me-baby-bearded-dragon-78924/#post742842

 

[Whatcamo]

Sorry here's the pic

 

[JessicaBay]

oh neat! beardies are fun! i hope you have fun with her!

 

[Whatcamo]

oh neat! beardies are fun! i hope you have fun with her!

Yeah I need to find out if it's a he or a she

 

[Whatcamo]

That pic was just after I got it home so a little stressed
@ atraxia I have a temp 50g cage for it with a power sun basking temp 105 and UVB 110 best I can get it at that temp also how do you prepare the veggies I have all the good stuff from gut loading my crickets
I fed it some roaches and cricket and it acted like it hadn't even been fed in forever I know for a fact it's had very poor care surprised its still alive I also have another one I've already committed to they'll be about the same size
The enclosure I'm building will measure 6' by 3'tall and 3' front to back please give me your thoughts on housing more than one in a cage that size or if I should divide it off? Or maybe make 2?
Which btw the other one I've already committed to it about a year to find out and a female! If that helps hmm

 

[Whatcamo]

Going to the top please read and help me out thanks

 

[Hoj]

good on you for helping out a beardie in need,
from what i know you cant really keep them together, males are terratorial and will stress each other out, maybe two females together but im not sure
i think as far as veggies go just wash them cut them up and offer in a dish, maybe a bit of supplements sprinkled on top

 

[Whatcamo]

Well I have his new temp monster of a cage built haha

 

[laurie]

I had 2 females live together for several years with no problem. But if you have a male and female, I would not put them together, as the male will cause her unending stress.
What is on the bottom of the cage? Sorry, i just can't tell. now on sexing, here it is.


So How Do I Tell?

Well, there are a few methods to determine the sex of your bearded dragon. The simplest method is to invade their privacy and just look. On the underside of their tail, just above the vent, there is typically either a single bulge (or none) or two separated bulges. If you see two clearly separate bulges, as in the upper image to the right, you have a male. If you see only one, you probably have a female. There is uncertainty with a single bulge, particularly if there isn't much of one. When beardies are young, they all look like females, but develop clearer signs of gender as they get older. You should be able to tell by time they're 7-8" STL.

The best way to hold your dragon when making this check is to place your dragon in one hand, perpendicular to your fingers, and facing away from you. Place your thumb over the back to hold them in place. With your other hand lift the tail up to approximately 90 degrees. Be gentle!!! You don't want to hurt your beardie.

 

[Whatcamo]

Thanks for your input
Unfortunately I can't find a bulge of any sort I think it's because it was so malnutritioned ??

 

[shaunaroxanne]

I had 2 females live together for several years with no problem. But if you have a male and female, I would not put them together, as the male will cause her unending stress.
What is on the bottom of the cage? Sorry, i just can't tell. now on sexing, here it is.


So How Do I Tell?

Well, there are a few methods to determine the sex of your bearded dragon. The simplest method is to invade their privacy and just look. On the underside of their tail, just above the vent, there is typically either a single bulge (or none) or two separated bulges. If you see two clearly separate bulges, as in the upper image to the right, you have a male. If you see only one, you probably have a female. There is uncertainty with a single bulge, particularly if there isn't much of one. When beardies are young, they all look like females, but develop clearer signs of gender as they get older. You should be able to tell by time they're 7-8" STL.

The best way to hold your dragon when making this check is to place your dragon in one hand, perpendicular to your fingers, and facing away from you. Place your thumb over the back to hold them in place. With your other hand lift the tail up to approximately 90 degrees. Be gentle!!! You don't want to hurt your beardie.

If you try ground walnut shells for the substrate, I bet you will like it better! Bearded dragons are super easy compared to chameleons. I have one that is over 10 years and still showing no signs of aging.

 

[Whatcamo]

It's natural sand from my local (desert) sand dunes it's a really nice cream white and people around me that have been keeping beardeds for years has never had any impaction problems with using it, so I washed it and baked it 15g worth haha that was a pain but hey he / she deserves it considering where it came from!

 

[Whatcamo]

Couple updated shots of the beardy and it's set up
Experienced people let me know what ya think?

 

[Captive Creations]

If you can take a picture of his tail like the ones that were previously posted we might be able to tell. its kind of hard on a pic. at 18 months he should be already doing his mating rituals if it is a male. dark/black beard, bobbing head. if it doesn't do these things its usually a female. I have been breeding beardies for a few years. They are pretty easy to care for and love human interaction.
I feed mine mostly veggies, kale, collard greens, buk choy lettuce, Swiss chard, parsley, dandelion green (from pesticide free lawns), turnip greens, Mustard greens, broccoli, zucchini, squash, grated carrots, kiwi, papaya, grapes, peaches, apricots, strawberries (seeds removed)

I find each of my beardies has veggies and fruits they like and some they don't so you have to check it out and see what yours prefers.
I always have collard greens available and offer a few crickets, roaches, super worms, meal worms and other insects as well.
I would say your bearded dragon is around 18 months could you weigh it??
I have a female and 2 males around the same age. I will attach pictures for you to see the size.

here are my 18 month bearded dragons weights for referance all weighed March 9th 2012 last weighed.
Female weighed 179 grams (Autumn)
Male #1 240 grams (Red Inferno)
Male # 2 279 grams

the first picture is my female Autumn and the second is the male #1 Red Inferno

Hope this helps

 

[Captive Creations]

Couple updated shots of the beardy and it's set up
Experienced people let me know what ya think?

The set up looks really good. looks you have everything he needs.
they do need a little higher uvb 10.0 (not sure what you have) and basking spot should reach at least 100F
The sand is a better option then the walnut shells in my experience. they are more likely to cause impaction. I keep my bearded dragons on repti carpet and desert sand. The ones on the sand don't eat insets in their enclosure though. only what comes on a dish.

 

[Whatcamo]

I have a power sun MV 100 for a basking bulb and after getting some nutrition in him it's a him for sure haha
You got an extra female for me Liz haha I'd love to have a pair or trio like I saw at a persons house last night

 

[ataraxia]

Wild guess here, im going with male. Still need pics of the base tail vent area.

Sand: Its your dragon so do what you please. It will be unfortunate if he gets impacted over something so negligible. Do as you wish though

Other than that. The rock looks great. You have the correct bulb. He looks like he is good shape. Follow what i gave you as care in your other thread and he will grow like a weed.

Be sure to bath him atleast once a week. Every three days is great.

Also, as long as you bath him and give him greens. I would take the water bowl out.

 

[laurie]

I like your set up. I used carpet but it is a pain to wash all time. I would never use crushed walnut as I have personally know of 2 dragons impacted from walnuts. i also would not want your dragon to catch live prey on sand. Give him a bowl. Beardies are fun, I often miss mine.

 

[Whatcamo]

I was told the sand is fine since its so fine and there is a very big time breeder in my area I found out and she's used this same sand from the same sand dunes for over 12 years and never had one issue from impaction with it

And the rock is awesome because I got it out in the desert near me and is has three actual caves all the way through and a nice hole to plant succulents
And I've been changing out and cleaning the water bowls daily as he hasn't taken to any kind of greens yet as he warn ever given any from what I found out his whole life but I've got him hand feeding today so I wrapped a dubia in a piece of mustard green and he ate up both!
So hopes are up there

Btw lauri he loves your dubias