Im going to get a Bearded Dragon soon, anything I need to know that the books wont tell me

I've gotten a book and asked lots of people quesitons, but is there anything else I might need to know that you think is important?

Lol, I'm not sure if you mean actual books or if that's just a saying. A lot of books have outdated info. Even if the copyright date is a little new, it usually takes 7 years to get the books on shelves.

I recommend going to this forum and asking any questions you might have. These people know the best and the most updated information about bearded dragons. There are people there who have kept and rescued for 20+ years.

Basking spots must be measured with a digital thermometer with probe. The little round ones at the pet stores can be as much as 20 degrees off. Wal-mart carrys digi's with probe for about $8. The reason you need probe (which is the sting with a sensor attached) is because they measure surface temps, which is what you should be measuring basking spots with. The ones without probe, which is just regular digi's measure air temp, which is 15-20 degrees below surface temps.

Temperatures need to be around 105-110 for babies and juveniles. Around 100-105 for adults.

Substrate/bedding. PLEASE do not use anything loose! This means sand, walnut shells, reptile bark, etc. Here is a little story a good friend of mine wrote (from the forum) about a rescue she had.

From experience I can tell you about a dragon that lived a wonderful happy life for two whole years on Walnut Shell substrate. One day his appetite went from normal to nothing. Not always extremely odd the owner waited for it to pick back up. He waited for over a week. The dragon became dehydrated and weak. He contacted me thru the internet and along with some friends we were able to understand the circumstances surrounding his sudden predicament. We advised the owner to contact the vet immediately. Upon x-ray and surgury, walnut shell substrate was removed from the stomach and intestinal tract of the dragon. The intestinal tract was tearing, but had not completely ruptured at that time, so a septic issue was not present. Following surgery, antibiotics were required and explicit feeding instructions were followed for several months before things got back on track. The final cost was somewhere around 2000.00 which included several days and nights in the hospital, meds, surgery, laboratory, anestetic etc. that's alot to pay in the end for a 15.00 bag of shell.