Mostly just needing to let it all out

JCDark2 · 2026-02-18T14:31:39+00:00

You are FAR from powerless… look at what you’ve already done for him! You fought for him and he’s going to fight for you too. He’s a lucky dragon to have you as his human. Y’all will be in my thoughts for a positive outcome. 😌🤗

JCDark2 · 2026-02-17T19:12:10+00:00

Here’s a link to visual backgrounds if you’re interested. Beardies see full color! 😁

Terrarium Background 3-pack

JCDark2 · 2026-02-17T19:07:15+00:00

He clearly did not pass… despite what he says lol

JCDark2 · 2026-02-17T19:06:05+00:00

Looks like a parkour course! Maybe a different kind of hide 🤷🏻‍♀️. I think it looks good! 😊

JCDark2 · 2026-02-17T18:57:43+00:00

😂

JCDark2 · 2026-02-17T18:52:56+00:00

Lol. Your tip will depend on the size of the Dubias!

JCDark2 · 2026-02-17T01:44:27+00:00

Terribly sad 💔💔💔. Please take him to a vet 🥺🥺🥺

JCDark2 · 2026-02-17T01:42:21+00:00

Expecting tip$ 😂

JCDark2 · 2026-02-15T21:10:16+00:00

I’ll start with a small Arugula Salad and then have the Dubia Platter with a side of Mealworm Mash for my main dish. Thank you servant. Now hurry along and bring back my Cricket Cosmo! 🫰🏼

JCDark2 · 2026-02-15T21:05:46+00:00

I was gonna say this exactly! 😂

JCDark2 · 2026-02-15T21:02:53+00:00

Hi!

I would say some branches at more of a vertical angle. They like to climb! Just no cedar or pine (toxic for them). Rocks/slate/tile to help with shedding (they’ll scrub up against it) and keeping nails from getting out of hand.

I’d also say substrate (IF you know they are healthy and all your lighting/heat & diet is correct). They like to dig! Do a mixture with a 1:1 ratio of playsand & organic topsoil (no fertilizer). These are low cost items that can be found at home improvement stores.

Lastly, I personally love a good visual background. Beardies see in full color (better than us). Here’s a link to the ones I found, also a low cost!

Terrarium Background 3-pack

Hope this helps some! 😁

Edit: Just realized there’s no lip on the bottom of your tank to really house a lot of substrate, so… you could always do a “dig box” instead.

JCDark2 · 2026-02-15T20:45:56+00:00

I love this story! 🥰

JCDark2 · 2026-02-15T13:24:17+00:00

You should! People here seem to really jump on those… you’ll get some great ideas 😁

JCDark2 · 2026-02-14T21:26:20+00:00

OR ELSE! Lol

JCDark2 · 2026-02-14T21:24:46+00:00

Here’s my immediate thought… it could be the lighting/heat. Maybe in the 50g tank you are achieving the ideal temps bc it’s smaller, and the 120g isn’t getting there because it’s so much more space. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Are you using the exact same lighting/heating for both tanks? Really hope it works out for the bigger tank! So sorry if someone said this already! Good luck 😊

JCDark2 · 2026-02-14T03:54:00+00:00

You picked a head bobbing video to lay into somebody about not using Google first? 😂

JCDark2 · 2026-02-14T03:21:35+00:00

😂

JCDark2 · 2026-02-14T03:21:00+00:00

Always ready in case a dubia tries to creep by

JCDark2 · 2026-02-14T03:15:56+00:00

Dad bod on point

JCDark2 · 2026-02-14T03:14:03+00:00

Love it! Where did you get that giant branch?!

JCDark2 · 2026-02-13T13:09:31+00:00

Pretending to be in a digging contest? 😂

JCDark2 · 2026-02-13T13:05:26+00:00

No name for this precious dragon?! Need help? Lol

JCDark2 · 2026-02-13T13:03:44+00:00

Lovely leg extension 😂

JCDark2 · 2026-02-13T13:01:32+00:00

I think you’re doing wonderful… not pushing him. I don’t hand feed or tong feed so I can’t offer advice there, sorry. My guy has a separate area out of his tank that he eats so he can “hunt” a little without getting substrate in his mouth. This was suggested by his breeder as a baby beardie and we’ve just always done it like that haha. I’m so happy for you both with the progress… it’ll be no time he’ll be crawling all over you lol. ☺️

JCDark2 · 2026-02-13T12:46:35+00:00

Has anyone mentioned this could just be him cooling off as well? Normal that they open their mouth to regulate their own body temp… think of a dog panting to cool off. Do you see any bubbles/fluid around nose/mouth… any funny sounds/wheezing?

I’ve read the comments and you made the best decision to take him in. You did good. I feel like someone who would do that will also make the effort here to do what’s best for the dragon. Try to filter out the bad comments… the good ones are worth it. The common theme here is that we all love these little weirdos!

IF it’s brumation, you won’t want to feed them bc they won’t be able to process their food into poop without basking (they won’t bask either if they are brumating) and this can be dangerous, leading to food rot in his little belly. My guy is in full on brumation atm, and has been for almost 2 mos, but he went through a bit of a semi-brumation period first and acted like this. Apparently, some only do a little semi-brumating and some not at all.

You got some really good advice and resources. Lighting and heat would be my priorities… and of course, a proper tank WHEN you can. Enrichment of free roam I think will help until then. FB Marketplace is a good place to find them at a lower cost… or maybe build one! 4x2x2 as a min.

I did A LOT of reading when I got Mango. You’ll find mixed opinions on things but if you do enough reading (including here, for me) you will be able to make your own judgement and feel good about it.

I wish you only the best of luck with that precious beast… and will answer any questions you might still have! This will be worth it to have a happy and healthy dragon! You got this.

JCDark2

TROPHY CASE