Bearded Dragon help

deans6571

27-08-2015

We recently bought a bearded dragon for my 12 year old son about a week ago and all things are going good, however, I have a question regarding the inside of his vivarium (cage with glass doors!).

He's quite a small and young dragon and just fits on the palm of your hand. My son has created a 'hide' under a slab of stone, where the dragon can go underneath it and keep hidden from prying eyes however, someone in the pet shop where we bought it (the guy we spoke to didn't sound like he knew what he was going on about and wasn't the owner of the pet shop who was there when we actually bought the dragon), said that the dragon shouldn't have a 'hide' because he needs to stay in the light all the time in order to help him digest his food properly (the dragon's tummy does seem a little bigger than usual and he has been spending alot of time hiding under the slab!).

Is this correct?! Do we need to remove this hiding place or is it ok to keep it?!

Rafer

27-08-2015

Leave the hide. They need privacy. When it wants to come out to thermo regulate it will. I've never had a bearded dragon before. But I've kept ackies in the past. It's crucial you monitor your temperatures and moisture levels. If there's not enough moisture in the air he could find shade to retain moisture. That means he won't thermo regulate properly.

I haven't kept reptiles for years. But a good place to seek advice was UK reptile forums.

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/
That's the place to ask.

deans6571

27-08-2015

Originally Posted by Rafer:
“Leave the hide. They need privacy. When it wants to come out to thermo regulate it will. I've never had a bearded dragon before. But I've kept ackies in the past. It's crucial you monitor your temperatures and moisture levels. If there's not enough moisture in the air he could find shade to retain moisture. That means he won't thermo regulate properly.

I haven't kept reptiles for years. But a good place to seek advice was UK reptile forums.

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/
That's the place to ask.”

..perfect - thanks for your help, will check it out.

Rafer

27-08-2015

Originally Posted by deans6571:
“..perfect - thanks for your help, will check it out.
”

Also: The best place to get live food and equipment from, I found. Was LivefoodUK. Bluelizard reptiles is also recommended. I used to buy 3-4 large tubs of locusts at a time. They would arrive swiftly with very few dead. Links below. I'd stay away from the larger highstreet pet stores unless you have no other choice. The number of living to dead locusts per pack, I found was significantly less especially for the price paid.

I hope you get everything sorted. Reptiles can be hard work to get right. But when you do they can be very rewarding.

http://www.livefoods.co.uk/index.php
http://www.bluelizardreptiles.co.uk/index.php