T
Tildy
Guest
So I am getting 3 pygmy beardie hatchies in a couple of weeks so am finishing up my research and prep. I have a 3ft fish tank I can set up for the 3 of them with a heat mat and a heat lamp with thermostats for control. It was the set up that I used with my pygmy python before I upgraded her to her permanent enclosure. I will eventually be upgrading these 3 to a proper enclosure made of wood or similar as I found the fish tank was not great for retaining heat so will only really work for the hot months despite the fact that I have it inside. I have read a fair few care sheets now and as usual everyone has conflicting advice so I have a few questions to help clarify things.
Firstly, substrate. I am using astro turf and a little bit of recycled paper kitty litter with my snake but sand would look awesome. Just concerned about impaction as so many warn against it. I already have washed play sand from bunnings so can I use that? I'm thinking that most of the food that will be moist at all will be on a plate or in a bowl of sorts (the fruit/veg stuff) so that should seriously cut the amount of sand ingested right?
Second, enclosures. Would I be better putting the 3 hatchies into a smaller tank till they grow a bit or will they adjust ok to all the space? I don't want to turn them into nervous wrecks so I can get a cheap smaller tank if needs be. If I need a smaller one, what size would be best. Also, would a 4ft enclosure work to hold 3 pygmies permanently? Could I get away with 4? Also, does the male/female combination make a difference? They are all going to be from the same batch of eggs so will be siblings if that makes a difference.
Lastly, if anyone has a favourite link for care sheets or a comprehensive link on what they can and cannot eat I would love to have it. They are going to be pets for the kids (under supervision) so I want to make a care sheet with the basics and a separate sheet of safe and unsafe foods that I can stick to the tank so the kids can have something to reference instead of having to ask me all the time. We also grow some herbs and veg so I can provide a decent variety so long as I know what is safe.
Anyway, if you got to the end of this novel then thank you, and thanks in advance for any advice you have.
Firstly, substrate. I am using astro turf and a little bit of recycled paper kitty litter with my snake but sand would look awesome. Just concerned about impaction as so many warn against it. I already have washed play sand from bunnings so can I use that? I'm thinking that most of the food that will be moist at all will be on a plate or in a bowl of sorts (the fruit/veg stuff) so that should seriously cut the amount of sand ingested right?
Second, enclosures. Would I be better putting the 3 hatchies into a smaller tank till they grow a bit or will they adjust ok to all the space? I don't want to turn them into nervous wrecks so I can get a cheap smaller tank if needs be. If I need a smaller one, what size would be best. Also, would a 4ft enclosure work to hold 3 pygmies permanently? Could I get away with 4? Also, does the male/female combination make a difference? They are all going to be from the same batch of eggs so will be siblings if that makes a difference.
Lastly, if anyone has a favourite link for care sheets or a comprehensive link on what they can and cannot eat I would love to have it. They are going to be pets for the kids (under supervision) so I want to make a care sheet with the basics and a separate sheet of safe and unsafe foods that I can stick to the tank so the kids can have something to reference instead of having to ask me all the time. We also grow some herbs and veg so I can provide a decent variety so long as I know what is safe.
Anyway, if you got to the end of this novel then thank you, and thanks in advance for any advice you have.