My Beardie

[Lauren and Hunter]

This is my beautiful sandfire bearded dragon, Sunny. She was kind of a rescue. A family traded in her and some other reptiles (including two cresties, one of which I am in possession of) for a ferret where I used to work, and working with her, I fell in love with her. Beardies are one of my very favorite lizards or reptiles in general and I would have more were they not so high maintenence. I heard the kids saying when they gave her to my boss, "Please take care of Sunny, we've had her since she was a baby," and I have this thing about not changing names so I kept the name. It's fitting anyway. She is a complete sweetheart. Very calm. Might get her a female companion sometime, but no more than one tank of beardies!

Anyway, she was very unhealthy when I got her. The family didn't realize this when they brought her, I'm sure, because she only starting acting strange after I brought her home. It turned out she had a severe internal parasite problem. There were times when I thought for sure that she wouldn't make it. We finally beat them, though, and today she is healthy. These guys are little tanks, seriously... it takes so much for them to die.

Sunny:

[EmilyK]

She looks like a tank! A very pretty tank.  I didn't realize beardies kept nice color like that.. I always heard the bright subadult colors faded. How old is she?

[justanotherfroginthepond]

She's really pretty!!  I like all the bright morphs.

[Lauren and Hunter]

I want to say she is around about 1-2 years.  I think they pretty much keep their brightness. She has lost some of her distinct patterning (has faded out) and orange, but she is still bright yellow with tones of orange and I'd guess she would stay that way.

Also, this girl doesn't eat too much, or not as much as I would like. The females probably don't eat quite as much as the males. BUT the variety of their food and the fact that they have to have so much live insects makes them high maintenence anyway. It's tough to get them to eat their greens sometimes, and they all have their preferences. Sunny likes mustard greens and kale, but will turn her nose up at turnip greens.

 

[KatiesCresteds]

I love beardies  She is gorgeous!

[Lauren and Hunter]

Me too. Thanks!

We are actually going to look for a female companion for her either this month or next.

[KatiesCresteds]

Just make sure they have enough space, because one may be dominate over the other. Laying on top of each other, arm waving, etc. means on is dominating over the other. Laying on each other may be cute, but the dragon on the bottom isn't getting enough of the UV and such as the other because of it. She may eat less as well because of the over dominate one and stress.

[Lauren and Hunter]

Yeah, we would upgrade tank size a lot first. Also, we wouldn't even combine them at first but put them in separate tanks right up against each other so they can get familiar but not touch. We'd keep a close eye on them. Truth is, I'm kind of worried about her sometimes. She isn't very active and doesn't eat very much. Sleeps a lot. Sometimes I feel like she is depressed. I don't know what the deal is. I don't know what else to try but upgrading tank size and giving her a companion for some more constant stimulation. Beardies are a pain.... But I love them at the same time.

[KatiesCresteds]

Eh, it's brumating season, that may be why she's not eating much and sleeping more. Just gradually reduce her light schedule until eventually she'll find a place and sleep for a while. She may wake every so often, just give her some water and MAYBE a snack (but if you do, give her some basking time so she can digest it and it doesn't just sit in her stomach). I've got a beardie brumating right now. Hmm, maybe I should put a post about him. He's one of my recent rescues...

[Lauren and Hunter]

Yeah, that's true, but she's always kind of been like this, too. Sometimes I just think she is a laid back dragon.

[KatiesCresteds]

Maybe! They all have different personalities. I've had really laid back ones as well.

[bowlcuthero]

Sunny is a cutey. True how they gorge. I'm surprised I am able to feed myself!

[Lauren and Hunter]

Ha. So it turns out she wasn't laid back. She was diabetic.

[Herpisphere]

Good for you rescuing her! It boggles my mind how people can trade in their pets and get rid of them like that... I could never... But I'm glad she ended up with you. I love her coloring. She looks like a sweety.

[mymojo]

very nice looking beardie i have 4 soon to be 5 im getting another adult today and also getting my first crested gecko today. but very nice looking beardie....got to love them....