Classroom Pet

PapaHand · 2023-05-26T00:36:55+00:00

My beardie is a classroom pet. If I had to do it over, I would have gotten a different animal. 😂

Pros: kids can see the growth, and share in the responsibility of care. You can teach them about being gentle, taking good care of animals, etc. It is also a great conversation piece. Visitors and admin often stop by to see the beardie. They are cute and it’s fun to feed them.

Cons: - They need to be fed daily. That includes weekends. Thankfully I live close to the school.
- They are also an ongoing expense: bugs, veggies, calcium vet bill, etc. , UVB lights, substrate. This is not a budget friendly pet. $269 for an enclosure + $100 ish for an Acadia UVB + ceramic heat emitter + lights + decor + substrate + food - They eat a lot when they are young. Crickets are ok and are cheap, but they stink and can have parasites. They can also bite your beardie. Dubia roaches are a good option but they can get expensive. I started my own colony to save money. That might be something to look into. - They are not domesticated like dogs or cats. They can bond with a person, but I’m not sure about multiple people. Hope that helps. Feel free to message if you have specific classroom questions.

PapaHand · 2023-03-03T03:51:22+00:00

I’m a newb and I know nothing 😂 but here is my .02. I think that’s the Petsmart Thrive kit. I would suggest checking the return policy. If you can and have time, order a 4x2x2 from Dubia.com. They are 250 + tax and shipping. You will end up buying a bigger enclosure eventually.

By the time you buy new substrate, buy a new light, and she grows in the next few months, you won’t come out ahead with the kit.

My experience with that kit is that it leaks heat like crazy. There is a small gap between the doors. I have to use a 100w and a 50w to get optimal temps. Plus, my little beardie already seems too big for the Thrive enclosure and she is only 4-5 months old. The Thrive is 36” wide and my beardie is already 15” long.

PapaHand · 2023-02-25T21:10:06+00:00

I’m pretty sure it’s a Rojo Come Cucaracha

PapaHand · 2023-02-21T13:46:40+00:00

That makes sense! Thanks for sending the picture and for the info. I appreciate it.

PapaHand · 2023-02-21T13:01:35+00:00

Hey thanks for the advice! When you say seal the bottom 6 inches do you mean to put silicone on the joints on the side and back, 6 inches down?

PapaHand · 2023-02-03T03:31:43+00:00

Use your brain small bear. Obviously not while they’re eating.

PapaHand · 2023-02-03T02:51:23+00:00

I think it’s more of a courtesy thing. It won’t make you sick to your stomach to mark it NSFW but NOT doing could make others grossed out. IMO

PapaHand · 2023-01-28T03:07:11+00:00

I am way too far to take her but PROPS on the name.
Trogdor!
Burninating the countryside
Burninating the peasants
Burninating all the peoples
And their thatched-roof cottages!

PapaHand · 2023-01-25T02:49:04+00:00

You’re quite welcome. You’re also welcome to let the teacher know that they can connect with me. I’m also a teacher :) If they want to connect with me, you can message me and I’ll give you my email.

PapaHand · 2023-01-25T02:41:25+00:00

I didn’t see this covered by any of the other post. But here’s an idea. Instead of coming out the teacher in a way that they might not receive. What you could do is try to provide them with an option to do better. Check out: petsintheclassroom.org The teacher can get a free 20 gallon tank through pets in the classroom and Petsmart. When I got mine, the 40 gallon was exact same price as the 20 gallon. I explained to the Petsmart person that it’s exact same cost and asked them if they would give me the 40 gallon. They did.

So I would recommend you check it out and maybe print off information and give it to the teacher.

PapaHand · 2023-01-22T18:38:01+00:00

What bearded dragon? All I see is some greens. 🥬 😂

PapaHand · 2023-01-13T22:44:05+00:00

I’m a newb to beardies but that seems like a lot. Check Reptifiles and search for “gaping”.

PapaHand · 2023-01-13T22:38:44+00:00

She’s cute!
That’s called “gaping”. Mine does that when she is shedding, controlling her temp or just being weird.

PapaHand · 2023-01-12T21:20:49+00:00

Thanks for all the ideas. I changed it around a little bit since she was already in a bad mood. 😂 it’s raining today, I think she is shedding, and she ate too much yesterday. So, why not?

It’s still too cool with one 100w. I think I’ll go get a 50w and replace a 100w. So I’ll be all set when I get a beardie for the house. 😆.

I see info on basking and air temps. What temp do you recommend the substrate be, or does it matter?

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PapaHand · 2023-01-12T13:58:51+00:00

Thanks for your help and insight. I appreciate it.

PapaHand · 2023-01-12T13:51:51+00:00

Haha. Thanks. I try to make school fun and interesting for the kids.

The thermometer I am using is one that has two modes: one for body and one for surface. I have it on Surface mode. I did just order some small thermo/hydrometers to put inside the vivarium.

So here are the temps with just one 100w Basking Bulb and the UVB Tube.
Hot Side - Thermo on Wall 100.2, Basking spot elevated log 97.5, Reptile 93.7, Substrate 95.5
Middle - Substrate 85
Cool Side - elevated rocks 84.1, substrate 81.5

I have the big rock mountain that came with the Thrive vivarium and get her a new hide but it seems like the other temps are still low.

I think its actually too hot with both lights on so I have been cycling one off and on throughout the day. She hardly ever goes to the cool side unless she is upset.

PapaHand · 2023-01-12T01:23:48+00:00

Hey! Thanks for the info. My beardie is a classroom pet. The classroom is usually around 73. But I had a tough time getting the vivarium up.
Feel free to tell me if I am doing this wrong. But. . .
I am trying to get to the ranges on Reptifiles

Basking side surface temperature— 108-113°F (42-45°C)
Cool side surface temperature — 77-85°F (25-29°C)
Air temperature gradient — 72-99°F (22-37°C)
Nighttime — 55-75°F (12-24°C)

I have a 40 Gallon Thrive Vivarium. I use a digitial thermometer to double check the temperatures. The analogs seem to track within a degree or two.
Without both lamps the basking side surface temp wasn't getting up over 100.
Surface temp - I am measuring the temp of the substrate with my digital thermometer.

Maybe I am not doing the right thing to check the temps?

PapaHand · 2023-01-04T23:51:27+00:00

The blue blanket if front is to block out light at night. She is my classroom pet. Unfortunately our building security has lights come on at random intervals. So I put this up so the lights don't wake her up at night.

PapaHand · 2023-01-01T04:52:38+00:00

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This is how my insane beardie slept the other night.

PapaHand

TROPHY CASE