Beardies...

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Posted by JamieMT on June 10, 2002 at 15:11:37:

In Reply to: Re: What's the best? posted by LGR on June 09, 2002 at 13:31:08:

I have a relatively "average" beardie from what I've read, and he's about 16" long. They're more involved for set-up because they just "need more". Bigger tanks (mine is in a 40 gal., which is an absolute minimum size for beardies - he should have a 55, and will when I get the $$), UVB lights (expensive - around $15-$25 per bulb every 6 months), and as mentioned before, they need a variety of veggies as well as insects. They also need a basking temp of around 100 degrees...in my Montana home, that means the thermostat is set at 70 yr round, and in the winter, he has both a basking light *and* an undertank heating pad to keep the warm side warm enough for him. He also loves to be where the activity is - gets bored and "depressed" when there's not a lot going on in the house (though he perks right back up when the action picks up).

Leo's on the other hand can live comfortably in a 10-20 gal. tank for life, don't need UVB or any special lighting, and like cooler temps - around 88 degrees on the hot side. Mine has a 20 gal. tank (which can house up to 3-4 leos), a florescent bulb only for the plants in the tank, and her basking bulb. She lives on mealworms and tiny baby superworms, and is nocturnal, so likes a "quiet spot" in the house.

They're both great lizards - both personable, funny, interactive, handlable, nice sized...it's kinda up to you what kind of expense and care you want as to which one to get. But I warn you - little lizards are addictive. I got my beardie first - "rescued" him from my sis. That lead to geckos, and now possibly frogs...LOL

Good luck! :-)

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: I have a relatively "average" beardie from what I've read, and he's about 16" long. They're more involved for set-up because they just "need more". Bigger tanks (mine is in a 40 gal., which is an absolute minimum size for beardies - he should have a 55, and will when I get the $$), UVB lights (expensive - around $15-$25 per bulb every 6 months), and as mentioned before, they need a variety of veggies as well as insects. They also need a basking temp of around 100 degrees...in my Montana home, that means the thermostat is set at 70 yr round, and in the winter, he has both a basking light *and* an undertank heating pad to keep the warm side warm enough for him. He also loves to be where the activity is - gets bored and "depressed" when there's not a lot going on in the house (though he perks right back up when the action picks up). : Leo's on the other hand can live comfortably in a 10-20 gal. tank for life, don't need UVB or any special lighting, and like cooler temps - around 88 degrees on the hot side. Mine has a 20 gal. tank (which can house up to 3-4 leos), a florescent bulb only for the plants in the tank, and her basking bulb. She lives on mealworms and tiny baby superworms, and is nocturnal, so likes a "quiet spot" in the house. : They're both great lizards - both personable, funny, interactive, handlable, nice sized...it's kinda up to you what kind of expense and care you want as to which one to get. But I warn you - little lizards are addictive. I got my beardie first - "rescued" him from my sis. That lead to geckos, and now possibly frogs...LOL : Good luck! :-)

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