My new babies ;)

[sbugir]

I went to my local Reptile store, and they buy and trade animals, cages, accessories, etc. So I decided to call up and bring in some nymphs. I traded in 50 Chinese and 25 Egyptian nymphs for these fellas. Pretty good considering I didn't have to pay a cent, and the mantids needed a home. He also gave me 100 crix for free and a 10lb bag of sand.

Anyway here's what I'm talking about

This is "Nullah":

This is her after snacking on a cricket. She's also on Leopold (yes another South Park reference )

Showdown:

Mmm, collars greens, mustard greens, carrots, peppers, and apples!

Love my beardies

 

[sbugir]

They're sitting under 75 watt UVA and a 23 watt UVB. I'm eventually going to switch the substrate, as sand can cause impaction. Still, sand is a better insulator then newspaper -.-, plus it was free .

 

[Rick]

They're sitting under 75 watt UVA and a 23 watt UVB. I'm eventually going to switch the substrate, as sand can cause impaction. Still, sand is a better insulator then newspaper -.-, plus it was free .

Use play sand or pool sand. Are they beardies?

 

[sbugir]

Use play sand or pool sand. Are they beardies?

Yes sir. $60 ea here in CO, gave 75 nymphs, good trade if you ask me . Yeah I'll eventually switch to something else. I'm not too worried about impaction due to the UVB lighting. Obviously they'll eat some sand when they eat crix, but either way they eat sand.

 

[Rick]

Yes sir. $60 ea here in CO, gave 75 nymphs, good trade if you ask me . Yeah I'll eventually switch to something else. I'm not too worried about impaction due to the UVB lighting. Obviously they'll eat some sand when they eat crix, but either way they eat sand.

Lighting would have nothing to do with impaction. Not sure what kind of sand you have there but I use play sand for my uromastyx. The way it is made prevents it from causing impaction. What kind of lights are you using? I have a 160 w Powersun mercury vapor and a regular halogen for some extra heat.

Here is a site I think you will like: http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

 

[sbugir]

Lighting would have nothing to do with impaction. Not sure what kind of sand you have there but I use play sand for my uromastyx. The way it is made prevents it from causing impaction. What kind of lights are you using? I have a 160 w Powersun mercury vapor and a regular halogen for some extra heat. Here is a site I think you will like: http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

I've been using that site .

I though UVB would have something to do w/ impaction. Typically lizards get Vitamin D(3?) from the Sun, in this case UVB. Vitamin D(3?) I believe helps calcium absorption and bone development? The majority of lizards get "impacted" by eating sand because they need, and sand typically has a high amount of, calcium. Lizards don't digest calcium well, therefore they get impacted from the amount they eat. So the UVB helps them in receiving the calcium they need, and this would prevent them eating sand for no apparent reason. That's what I thought anyway. Either way, I'll be changing the substrate eventually.

If I do catch the little buggers eating sand for no apparent reason, I'll put newspaper on it faster then they can catch a cricket. :lol:

BTW, my lights are:

75 watt Halogen

and something like a 23-5 watt fluorescent UVB. It's ######, and I'll eventually switch it. But it gets the job done. I used it for previous lizards, but I think it's time to upgrade when I get a bit more mullah. Or maybe I'll trade some nymphs for a new lamp when my nebulosas and virescens hatch

 

[Katnapper]

Good deal...

 

[sbugir]

Good deal...

Yeah I thought so too. My sister was so happy to see them. Perked her up from when our corn snake died.

 

[Rick]

I've been using that site . I though UVB would have something to do w/ impaction. Typically lizards get Vitamin D(3?) from the Sun, in this case UVB. Vitamin D(3?) I believe helps calcium absorption and bone development? The majority of lizards get "impacted" by eating sand because they need, and sand typically has a high amount of, calcium. Lizards don't digest calcium well, therefore they get impacted from the amount they eat. So the UVB helps them in receiving the calcium they need, and this would prevent them eating sand for no apparent reason. That's what I thought anyway. Either way, I'll be changing the substrate eventually.

If I do catch the little buggers eating sand for no apparent reason, I'll put newspaper on it faster then they can catch a cricket. :lol:

BTW, my lights are:

75 watt Halogen

and something like a 23-5 watt fluorescent UVB. It's ######, and I'll eventually switch it. But it gets the job done. I used it for previous lizards, but I think it's time to upgrade when I get a bit more mullah. Or maybe I'll trade some nymphs for a new lamp when my nebulosas and virescens hatch

I've never heard that. They generally ingest the sand while eating their food. You're right on the light being needed. Many people get lighting wrong and it is important for many reptiles.

 

[sbugir]

I've never heard that. They generally ingest the sand while eating their food. You're right on the light being needed. Many people get lighting wrong and it is important for many reptiles.

Yeah, I don't know, it sounded a lot better in my head then writing. But it does somewhat make sense I suppose.

Yeah, lighing is very important, unfortunately though, between my mantids heat lamp and now my beardies it's about 100+ degrees in my room . Thank god the beardies or mantids don't need the light at night

 

[Rick]

Yeah, I don't know, it sounded a lot better in my head then writing. But it does somewhat make sense I suppose. Yeah, lighing is very important, unfortunately though, between my mantids heat lamp and now my beardies it's about 100+ degrees in my room . Thank god the beardies or mantids don't need the light at night

My uro sits on the bottom of the wire sheving unit with the mantids above him. All of the excess heat rises which warms the mantids. I like the arrangement for that reason alone.

 

[sbugir]

My uro sits on the bottom of the wire sheving unit with the mantids above him. All of the excess heat rises which warms the mantids. I like the arrangement for that reason alone.

Smart. I have barely any space in my room. I'll hopefully be buying some of those buildable shelves, so I can place my mantids there. Hopefully I'll clear up some of my desk haha.

Btw, how old is your uro?

 

[Rick]

Smart. I have barely any space in my room. I'll hopefully be buying some of those buildable shelves, so I can place my mantids there. Hopefully I'll clear up some of my desk haha.Btw, how old is your uro?

I've had him about four years so he is about five or so. He was juvenile when I got him.

 

[sbugir]

I've had him about four years so he is about five or so. He was juvenile when I got him.

Very cool. They're bloody expensive. At least here anyway.

 

[hibiscusmile]

Sweet Deal!

 

[Rick]

Very cool. They're bloody expensive. At least here anyway.

Got mine from Deer Fern Farms. I did pay about $100.

 

[sbugir]

Got mine from Deer Fern Farms. I did pay about $100.

Good deal, I won't say how much they are here.

 

[Rick]

Good deal, I won't say how much they are here.

Local pet store or something? I am curious. I see them pretty cheap at reptile expos.

 

[sbugir]

Local pet store or something? I am curious. I see them pretty cheap at reptile expos.

Yeah, at the rep store where I got these beardies, the uros were around the $200 mark.

I'd like to go to a rep expo someday. Do they sell inverts there as well?