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Post by crazyferret17 on Apr 21, 2009 15:42:13 GMT -5
I have a old senile rat (he is about 3.5 years old), but I still love him, his name is Ratchet. And we also have a bearded dragon named Mushu, but she is a she, we named her before she was all grown up and did not know the gender.
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Post by Steffi Loves Her Fuzzbuckets on Apr 21, 2009 15:56:46 GMT -5
Awwh, Your rat is precious. :3 Hah, Mushu is a cool name either way. I love bearded dragons, She's so awesome. x3
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Post by Chelsea on Apr 21, 2009 16:31:21 GMT -5
Ive always wanted a rat.. Ratchet is too cute. Mushu is very pretty. How big is she? grams/length? Its so awesome to watch them grow. Have you had her since she was a baby? *gasp* sand...
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Post by Chelsea on Apr 21, 2009 17:02:06 GMT -5
Im not sure who's been telling you this but it doesnt seem like they know what they're talking about. Sand is NOT a bearded dragons natural subsrate. Yes they live in the "desert" but desert isnt just sand. Bearded dragons live on grasslands and hard packed clay. Ive heard a lot of people arguing the subjust.. people at pet stores object to it when i tell them they should switch to repti carpet instead of sand. Even the beardies body build shows that they arnt ment for sand. If you watch them when they are in sand... you can see their feet sink in when they walk. "Desert" reptiles, the ones that live on sand generally have wider feet to stay on top of the sand. Beardies have long skinny feet with long toes and claws for climbing and running on rock/clay surfaces. IMO, Tile is best. Yes it can be a pain to get it cut to the exact size of the cage but usually most stores will do it for you when you buy it. You can get it whatever color/texture, and it looks pretty natural, more so than sand. And its super easy to clean. Just take out whatever piece of tile is dirty, wash if off and put it back in. Hope i helped
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Post by crazyferret17 on Apr 21, 2009 17:09:33 GMT -5
Thanks for that information I did not know that they did not live on sand, it is just everything that you see them on through advertising is on sand - they sure got me. Do you have any recommendations for what type of tile to use. I was going to go to the store after work and see if I can find some. Also wouldn't the tile get hot with all the heat. What do you think about that grass turff stuff that they sell in sheets.
Thanks.
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Post by Chelsea on Apr 21, 2009 17:30:08 GMT -5
Yea i know, its easy to get fooled by what pet store people tell you. Like how calci sand is great cause if they do eat it its healthy for them, at least thats what they claim. When in reality the calcium encourages them to eat more of it and causes more impactions than regular sand. But they dont care as long as it makes them money Any type of tile. I would get something with a rough texture, to help her grip it easier. And its ok if it gets warm. What type of lights do you use? Basking, and UVB tube? or MVB? I dont know if you already know this but UVB tubes dont work unless they are within 4 inches of it. So I'd make the tile the "cooler" spot, cause if its on the bottom of the cage it wont make a very good basking spot. So its ok if it gets warm cause it wont be the basking spot so it wont be too hot. If you use a MVB(thats what i use) make sure you keep it far enough away cause those heat up tile/basking spots very high if your not careful. If you dont already get some thermometers with probes (I have about 2-3 per tank) I have one on the cool side, one of the warmer side, and one in the basking spot. If you have any more reptile related questions feel free to PM me
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Post by luxuriousferret on Apr 21, 2009 17:32:25 GMT -5
I love your rat! your beardie is cool too, always wanted one!
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Post by Steffi Loves Her Fuzzbuckets on Apr 23, 2009 16:28:42 GMT -5
Thanks Spazzy! For that info. We may be getting a bearded dragon in the far future, So, That's great stuff to know! Are there any Bearded Dragon websites or books you would recommend?
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Post by bridgettecheri on Feb 14, 2010 21:29:53 GMT -5
My favorite beardie forum is www.bearded-dragons.com/forum/ I have had beardies for quite a while and they have been a HUGE help! My sister has seven of them!!! and mine, Sphinx, will bask on the back of my couch and watch the cars go by on the street!!!
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Post by Lynxie on Feb 17, 2010 10:58:16 GMT -5
Your rattie is very cute. I have four rats myself.
Has ratchet always been a single rat?
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