Going to buy a varanid
- Thread starter beastruler
- Start date
I appreciate that red. Bearded dragons are wonderful little beasts. I may be getting either an asian water dragon or a bearded dragon within the next couple weeks. Is it neccessary to feed them crickets or would an all waxworm diet be acceptable?And can those dragons eat small rodents?If they can take the rodents I'd be much happier at not needing the UV lamp and calcium dust >.<
I know the multi vitamin is mandatory on a weekly basis and the basking spot and such. I just hate crickets.
I'll grab a bearded dragon first and work my way up (I might grab a frog or two on the way though
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I know the multi vitamin is mandatory on a weekly basis and the basking spot and such. I just hate crickets.
I'll grab a bearded dragon first and work my way up (I might grab a frog or two on the way though
)beastruler;1885022; said:I appreciate that red. Bearded dragons are wonderful little beasts. I may be getting either an asian water dragon or a bearded dragon within the next couple weeks. Is it neccessary to feed them crickets or would an all waxworm diet be acceptable?And can those dragons eat small rodents?If they can take the rodents I'd be much happier at not needing the UV lamp and calcium dust >.<
I know the multi vitamin is mandatory on a weekly basis and the basking spot and such. I just hate crickets.
I'll grab a bearded dragon first and work my way up (I might grab a frog or two on the way though
I'm glad you made the right decision,
so many 
herp keepers always want to get one of the huge lizards like monitors or the larger and Iguanas and you don't have to call me Red, cat, or any form of king. Just call me Cole. 
Brearded dragon: They are a very good beginner herp, but with all herps still needs specific requirements. Now, Bearded dragons (or BD for short) need to have a varied diet. Most common diet is crickets and mealworms, but you can feed them other pesticide free or non-toxic insects. See the thing about waxworms is the at they are real high on protein and they are very fattning... so my advice to you is to feed them sparingly. Also with breaded dragons you need to also feed them veggies too, you can accomplish this by giving them dark leafy greens, such as Romain lettuce, mustard greens, turnip greens, etc... Feed young BD a more small cricket diet, till it gets large enough for mealworms, but you should also give them some veggies as well, as BDs get older they start to become more and more herbivores, with little protien. A full grown BD can eat a pinky mouse, but its not necessary.
Water dragon: These guys diet aren't to much diffrent from the BD, but there is still a little bit of a diffrences. Like the BD, when they are young you can feed them small crickets and then move on to larger food items, Also the same with the BDs is they start to become more herbivores as they age. You can again feed the WD pinky mice, but not to offten, the thing with WDs is that they can eat pinky mice more than a BD.
Preaty much every reptile needs to have a calcium and multi-vite in their diet. So the same goes for both these lizards, but do not mix the vites because then they will loose their efficiency.
Also both these lizards need to have access to UV lighting, no matter what you are feeding them. But you still should take them out at least three times a week for some natural unfiltered sun light, no windows or screens can be in the way.
Also you say that you don't like creckets, well really all I can tell you is that you can use a pair of tweasers to pluck the crickets. Oh and another tip is that you should "Gut load" the crickets before serving them.
I hope this helped you and if you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
For more info. check out some of these links in this sticky. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102081
First of thanks Red tail cat kingbeastruler;1885022; said:I appreciate that red. Bearded dragons are wonderful little beasts. I may be getting either an asian water dragon or a bearded dragon within the next couple weeks. Is it neccessary to feed them crickets or would an all waxworm diet be acceptable?And can those dragons eat small rodents?If they can take the rodents I'd be much happier at not needing the UV lamp and calcium dust >.<
I know the multi vitamin is mandatory on a weekly basis and the basking spot and such. I just hate crickets.
I'll grab a bearded dragon first and work my way up (I might grab a frog or two on the way though
you just have already done most of the hard work for me Ok now like he already said monitors are not for any means begginers lizards, most species grow very big and even small species like spiney tail monitor or ackies can be quite a hand full. I would sugest that you begin with species like bearded dragons, leopard geckos or blue tail skinks. But anyways just remenbar that you cant raise a beardy on mice and that doesant allow you to keep him without UV. These guys also need a very varied diet, Not multivitamin suplements in the same way that you dont expect to survive on marshmallows and Centrum
. Vitamins and mineral suplements must only be used about 1 a week, more for hachlings and pregned females. Oh and if you dont like crikets then forget about beardys and leopards because they really need thouse as part of there´s insect diet. As for monitors forget (at least for now ) stuff like water monitors ,crocodile monitors ,nile monitors and lance monitors. All very large, potencialy dangerous and very expensive to house and keep species. Much better choices include savanah monitors, rough neck monitors, ackies and other smaller species like golds monitor. You said you wanted a hands on pet. Well thats ok , just remenbar that a tame monitor is not the same as a tame bearded dragon. Monitors have there own personality, can be hard to handle and are really well armed. They have very long and sharp claws and teeth that can lead you to the hospital for stiches. Also are very muscular and have a wip like tail. When they are not in the mood to be handled they can also defecate all over you
This is all stuff to think about before getting one Good luck on your choiseGlad you chose not to get a monitor, it's never good to get in over your head.
After you have some experience with other lizards though, it may be in your interest to try a smaller monitor. Ackies (Varanus acanthurus) make great pets. Active, curious, intelligent, interactive, and beautiful all in one tiny package. They get about 2 feet long and accept handling more than other species. But remember, monitors always prefer to be left alone, even the tamest ones. They do cost a bit more upfront (in the $300 range), but their small size requires less in the way of food, lighting, and housing, and more than makes up for the cost of the animal itself. You would blow through that same $300 in a week caring for a single water monitor. Anyway, check out varanus.net forums for some expert advice if you ever need it.
After you have some experience with other lizards though, it may be in your interest to try a smaller monitor. Ackies (Varanus acanthurus) make great pets. Active, curious, intelligent, interactive, and beautiful all in one tiny package. They get about 2 feet long and accept handling more than other species. But remember, monitors always prefer to be left alone, even the tamest ones. They do cost a bit more upfront (in the $300 range), but their small size requires less in the way of food, lighting, and housing, and more than makes up for the cost of the animal itself. You would blow through that same $300 in a week caring for a single water monitor. Anyway, check out varanus.net forums for some expert advice if you ever need it.
