Lighting & Meals

Question
Hi, Tara.  I just got myself a bearded dragon today (hurray) and am wondering how many hours, if not all day, should my UV bulb over the tank be on?  And at night there are ZERO lights, correct?  Including the UV though?  He's fairly young but I'm not sure the exact age.  Although he is about 8 inches long, tail & all if that helps!  The folks I got it from didn't seem too terribly knowledgeable about the species and the information I was given about feeding could have been better.  I just want to know how much the little guy can eat at his current size, and not being too close to a cricket supplier, I am wondering what else is a good meal for these guys.  Just two lil' questions!  I appreciate your time!  Thanks!

Answer
Hello Congrats on your new dragon they are Great little guys.

The lighting stays on for 12-10 hours per day from for instance 8 to 8 or 8 to 6...the shorter hours should be for winter. All lighting goes off at night if its terribly cold where the dragon is kept you need to use a 40 watt colored(dark like red or purple) to offer Some extra warmth during the night. Also at 8 inches he is if he was well taken care of up to now he is 8 weeks old my baby dragon I am currently raising is 8 inches 8 weeks old. You have a UVB light correct?  basking lights and some tubes dont produce enough or Any uvb which is what they need also if your not really sure the uvb light must be 8-10 inches from the lizards highest basking spot for it to work you need a 7.0 8.0 Or 10.0 UVB bulb. The hot spot must be 100-110 make sure there is lots of room for the lizard to cool down( half the tank should be unheated so he can go cool down easily. Crickets for him should be no more then 1/4 to 1/2 long bigger ones can cause impaction/death. There are many good feeder items...Phoenix worms, baby super worms, silkworm, horn worms wax worms butter worms meal worms shells are too hard and shouldn't be given unless freshly molted(white). Check online for cricket suppliers in your area you can Get bugs shipped via mail with live arrival guarantees this saves money and time looking in over priced pet shops.