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I am the new owner of an bearded dragon Any advice2007-11-24 2:00:49 and click on the Nutrition Content.

A water bowl may be kept in your dragons enclouser, but keep an eye on the humidity as it may rise up to dangerous levels. Generally, beardies are not like dogs or cats and don't drink from water bowls. They get much of their water from soaks and veggies. The same goes for misting a dragon in the enclosure. It will raise the humidity in the air. High humidity causes RI's (respiratory infections) and fungal problems.

Lighting - Heating - Temperatures: UVB light is very important to provide for your dragon. Vitamin D3 is a vitamin that can be stored in the liver for up to 6 months and it helps the dragon metabolize calcium. Much, or any of the D3 cannot be useful unless the dragon is in contact with UVB wave lengths. Having said that, overdosing any kind of D3 drops or D3 supplementation cannot replace UVB light and may cause vitamin D3 toxicity. A dragon without any or much of any UVB light will most likely suffer from a disease called MBD (metabolic bone disease) overtime. The beardie needs to be at least no more than 6-10" away from the UVB light, and if all possible have the light safely mounted in the cage. Screen can block out up 50% of rays. Use a bulb that is specifically made for reptiles and get at least an 8.0 or 10.0, unless you are using a Reptisun 5.0, which is bascially equal to a Reptiglo 8.0.

Heating is very important to. It has been proven beadies cannot digest their food properly if the basking temp isn't at least 95 degrees. For adults and sub adults, your dragon should be fine with a basking temp of around 105. Make sure your beardie has a cool side (the opposite end of the cage) that's around 80-85 degrees. You do not have to use UVA basking bulbs from the pet stores. A regular household bulb works just as well. Indoor flood lights can also be used, and they take up less energy. To measure your temps, I would strongly recommend getting a digital thermometer with probe. These are about $8 at Wal-mart and they measure surface temps, not air temps, which is what you should be measuring basking temps with. Air temps are as much as 20 degrees below surface temps. You put the sensor of the probe where ever you want to measure temps.Temp guns can also be used.