Okay so I just got 2 baby bearded dragons yesterday. They have lived together their entire lives and are happy together, so that is not a problem and they live in a long 40-gallon glass terrarium with a screen top.
I got them really small crickets and feed them about 20-25 a day and then switch between those and veggies/fruits on the other days. The people at the pet store had been doing that, so I figured that is what’s best for my babies. Oh, and I also sprinkle the food with Calcium powder. They have the all spectrum light and heat lamp.
Here is where I am confused.
I use Aspen (what they had at the pet store and they have been living in) but people online have been saying not to use loose substrate. My beardies sometimes get it stuck when they are eating, but they just spit it out. What’s the best substrate? Sand can grow bacteria easily I’ve heard.
Also, the pet store owner told me to feed them diced spinach and bananas. Forums have been saying no to spinach because the beardies can’t digest it, but I thought the greener the better with veggies for them? I know they are digesting my the amount of poop already in their terrarium. What’s the best diet?
Also, what is the best temperature for them? We have the heat lamp closer to one end so if they get hot they can go to the other end of the tank to cool off. The pet store had it at 83 degrees F, but all these forums are talking about low 100s! I have one of those cheap thermometers, but those obviously can be off my 20 degrees. What do I need to do about this?
I just want my babies to live long and healthy lives, but I am getting all kinds of answers from different sources, and need to know what has worked for you guys. Please help me out
Thanks!
I meant 60-gallon terrarium, I don’t know what I was thinking.
So yeah, it’s big.
Please help me out!
Thanks for all your help…
So paper towels? That seems weird to me. I was reading they are the best for baby ones to live on. I have also heard about special reptile tiles and carpeting and turf and the like… anyone know about that stuff?

1) The basking light temp should be 100 and the rest of the cage should be about 80 so they can cool off.
Go beardys!
2) Do not feed them spinach! It is almost like poison to them. And always make sure you cut the greens small so they don’t choke.
3) I use sand with my beardy and he’s just great. Get the Vita-Sand because it is actually healthy for them and it’s safe.
4)This is just a tip. Make sure there isn’t to many crikets in the cage because in the night with you’re bearded dragons are sleeping the crikets will eat of there eyelids. Just a tip.