Betsy’s Beardies & Bug Eyed Besties

06/10/2026

Let’s see your best feeding time pics!
Post in comments below!

06/10/2026

Do we have any friends that can help this baby?!! He needs a loving home ASAP!! I can help transport if needed!!!

06/10/2026

🦎 Why Adopt a Reptile from a Rescue? 🐢

Betsy’s Beardies & Bug Eyed Besties

When you choose to adopt a reptile from a rescue, you’re doing much more than bringing home a new scaly friend. You’re helping change a life. ❤️

Many rescued reptiles come from situations where they were neglected, surrendered due to life changes, or simply misunderstood. Adoption gives these incredible animals a second chance at the loving, forever home they deserve.

Benefits of Adopting a Rescue Reptile:

🦎 You Give a Second Chance
Every adoption opens the door to a brighter future for a reptile who may have experienced uncertainty or hardship. Your home becomes their fresh start.

🐢 You Help Rescue More Animals
When a rescued reptile finds a forever home, valuable space and resources become available to help the next reptile in need. One adoption can create a ripple effect that saves multiple lives.

🦎 Many Are Already Socialized
Many rescue reptiles have spent time being handled and cared for by experienced rescuers. This often means they are already accustomed to human interaction and are ready to continue building trust with their new families.

🐍 You Gain Ongoing Support
Rescues are passionate about the animals they care for and are often happy to provide guidance, care tips, and resources to help ensure a successful adoption.

🐢 Every Reptile Deserves a Chance
Whether it’s a bearded dragon, leopard gecko, ball python, tortoise, or another amazing species, each one has its own personality and story waiting to be shared.

At Betsy’s Beardies & Bug Eyed Besties, we believe that every reptile deserves a safe home, proper care, and people who appreciate them for the wonderful animals they are.

💕 When you adopt, you’re not just getting a pet. You’re becoming part of their comeback story.

Adopt. Rescue. Educate. Repeat. 🦎🐢🐍

🦎❤️🐢

06/09/2026

🥰One little lady had a big day yesterday🥰
This sweetheart of a girl went to her forever home 🏡 yesterday! 📣to the Smith family for welcoming her into the family!❤️
Had to give some last moments of affection to such a sweetie!

06/09/2026

🦎💚 Betsy’s Beardies & Bug Eyed Besties 💚🦎

“Why Does My Bearded Dragon Always Sleep Against Me?”

If your bearded dragon regularly snuggles up against you for nap time, congratulations… you’ve officially been promoted to Favorite Warm Thing! ☀️

Bearded dragons are naturally drawn to warmth, comfort, and security. When your dragon chooses to sleep against you, it can mean several things:

🦎 You Make Them Feel Safe
In the wild, sleeping is a vulnerable time. A dragon that chooses to doze off while leaning against you often feels secure in your presence and doesn’t view you as a threat.

🌡️ You’re a Cozy Heat Source
Our bodies give off warmth, and beardies love warmth. Snuggling against your arm, chest, or leg can feel just as inviting as their favorite basking spot.

❤️ They’ve Learned to Trust You
Over time, consistent gentle handling helps many bearded dragons recognize their caregivers. While reptiles don’t form relationships exactly like dogs or cats, they absolutely learn who provides food, comfort, and positive experiences.

😴 They’re Relaxed and Content
A beardie that falls asleep on you is often showing signs of being calm and comfortable. Many dragons will even flatten out, close their eyes, and drift into a deep reptile snooze.

🐉 Every Dragon Has Their Own Personality
Some beardies are independent adventurers. Others are little cuddle bugs who would happily spend hours perched on their favorite human. Just like people, each dragon has unique preferences.

✨ The next time your bearded dragon curls up against you and falls asleep, take it as a compliment. Out of all the warm places available, they chose you.

📸 We’d love to see your sleepy snuggle dragons! Share your favorite photos of your bearded dragon’s most adorable nap spots in the comments.

🦎💕 Building trust, sharing knowledge, and celebrating our scaly besties one beard wiggle at a time! 💕🦎

06/08/2026

🦎☀️ Betsy’s Beardies & Bug Eyed Besties ☀️🦎

Why do some reptiles need UVB, CHE, and calcium while others don’t?

One of the most common questions reptile keepers ask is, “Why does my bearded dragon need all of this equipment, but my leopard gecko doesn’t?”

The answer comes down to where each species evolved and how their bodies are designed to survive.

☀️ UVB Lighting
Many reptiles, especially daytime basking species like bearded dragons, uromastyx, and many tortoises, rely on UVB light to help their bodies produce Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 allows them to properly absorb and use calcium. Without adequate UVB, these reptiles can develop serious health issues, including Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).

Some reptiles, such as many snakes and certain nocturnal geckos, naturally spend much of their lives hidden from direct sunlight. While research continues to show benefits of UVB for many species, their requirements are often much lower than those of active daytime baskers.

🔥 CHE (Ceramic Heat Emitter)
A Ceramic Heat Emitter provides heat without producing light. Reptiles are cold-blooded and depend on external heat sources to digest food, fight illness, and maintain normal body functions.

Not every reptile requires a CHE specifically. Some species do well with other heating methods, while others may not need supplemental heat if their room temperatures stay within their natural comfort range. The goal is always to recreate the temperatures the species would experience in the wild.

🥛 Calcium Supplementation
Calcium is essential for strong bones, muscle function, nerve function, egg production, and overall health. Even reptiles receiving proper UVB often require calcium supplementation because captive diets may not perfectly replicate what they would eat in nature.

Species with high calcium demands, such as bearded dragons and growing tortoises, typically require more supplementation than many snake species, which obtain most of their nutritional needs from whole prey items.

🌎 Every Species Is Different
There is no “one-size-fits-all” reptile setup. A bearded dragon, leopard gecko, ball python, crested gecko, and Russian tortoise all have different environmental and nutritional needs because they evolved in different habitats.

That’s why researching the specific species you own is so important. What keeps one reptile thriving could be completely inappropriate for another.

❤️ At Betsy’s Beardies & Bug Eyed Besties, we believe proper husbandry is one of the greatest gifts we can give our scaly companions. Understanding why your pet needs certain lighting, heat, and supplements helps create a healthier, happier life for the animals we love.

🦎 Have questions about your reptile’s setup? Drop them in the comments! We love helping fellow reptile enthusiasts learn and grow. 🐍🐢✨

06/07/2026

🐍✨ Betsy’s Beardies & Bug Eyed Besties ✨🐍

“When people say, ‘Ew, a snake!’ we say, ‘Look at that beautiful Ball Python!’”

And here is why! 💛

Ball pythons are one of the most misunderstood pets in the reptile world. While some people see a snake and immediately feel nervous, reptile enthusiasts often see a calm, fascinating, and incredibly beautiful companion.

🌟 Why Ball Pythons Make Excellent Pets

🐍 Gentle Temperament
Ball pythons are known for their calm and easygoing nature. When startled, they rarely act aggressively. Instead, they curl into a tight ball, which is exactly how they earned their name!

🐍 Manageable Size
Most adult ball pythons reach about 3 to 5 feet in length, making them large enough to appreciate but not so large that they require massive enclosures.

🐍 Quiet and Low Maintenance
No barking. No meowing at 3 a.m. No chewed-up furniture. With proper husbandry, ball pythons are relatively low-maintenance companions.

🐍 Amazing Variety of Colors
Selective breeding has produced hundreds of beautiful morphs featuring stunning patterns and colors. Each ball python can look like a living work of art.

🌟 Fascinating Ball Python Facts

✨ Ball pythons can live 20 to 30 years or more with proper care, making them a long-term companion.

✨ They use specialized heat-sensing pits near their mouths to help detect warm-bodied prey, almost like built-in thermal sensors.

✨ Ball pythons do not have eyelids. Instead, they have a clear protective scale over each eye called a spectacle.

✨ Their jaws are designed to stretch remarkably wide, allowing them to consume prey much larger than their heads.

✨ Every ball python has a unique pattern, much like a fingerprint.

✨ They shed their skin in one continuous piece when husbandry conditions are correct, revealing fresh, vibrant colors underneath.

💚 The Truth About Ball Pythons

Ball pythons are not slimy.
They are not aggressive.
They do not chase people.

They are intelligent, curious reptiles that deserve understanding rather than fear.

The next time someone says, “Ew, a snake!” take a closer look. You might discover a beautiful animal with incredible adaptations, a gentle personality, and a face that reptile lovers simply can’t help but adore.

🐍💕 Sometimes all it takes is learning a little more about a misunderstood animal to see just how amazing it truly is.

🐍💚

06/06/2026

This show is 🤩 awesome!!
Highly recommend stopping by if you can!!! Huge variety of some gorgeous besties!!

🚨🎉 IT’S SHOW DAY! 🎉🚨

The vendors are here!

Right now, vendors are unloading trailers, setting up displays, arranging animals, stocking shelves, and putting all the final touches on their booths as we get ready to welcome everyone through the doors this morning!

Months of planning, organizing, and hard work have all led to TODAY, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you!

In just a few short hours, the doors will open for our VIP Hour at 9:00 AM, giving VIP guests first access to shop vendors, see the animals, and beat the crowds before general admission begins at 10:00 AM.

Whether you’re coming for reptiles, birds, mammals, invertebrates, plants, supplies, educational exhibits, or just a fun family day out, there is something for everyone!

📍 Field of Dreams Activity Center – Dandridge, TN
⭐ VIP Admission: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
🎟 VIP Tickets: $15
🕙 General Admission: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟 Adults (13+): $10
🎟 Children (5-12): $7
🎟 4 & Under: FREE

📸 We want to see YOUR experience! 📸

Throughout the day, please share your photos and videos from the expo in the comments below! Show us your favorite animals, your purchases, your family enjoying the show, and any fun moments you capture. We love seeing the event through your eyes, and your photos help us make each expo even better than the last!

Who’s coming today?! Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to post your pictures below throughout the day!

🐍🦎🦜🦝🐾

06/06/2026

🦎 Betsy’s Beardies & Bug Eyed Besties 🦎

Whether life has taken an unexpected turn, you’re hoping to welcome a new reptile companion into your family, or you’re simply looking for reliable information, we’re here to help!

💚 Need to surrender a reptile you can no longer care for?
We understand that circumstances change. Our goal is to provide a safe, judgment-free environment where the well-being of your pet comes first.

🏡 Looking for a new scaly friend?
We may be able to help match you with the perfect reptile companion while ensuring both pet and adopter are set up for success.

📚 Searching for more detailed care information?
From enclosure setup and nutrition to lighting and enrichment, we’re happy to share knowledge and help you become the best caretaker possible.

🔎 Need resources for your reptile?
Whether you’re looking for supplies, veterinary recommendations, husbandry guidance, or answers to your reptile questions, we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction.

✨ Every reptile deserves a chance to thrive, and every keeper deserves access to support and education.

📩 Reach out to Betsy’s Beardies & Bug Eyed Besties today. Whether you’re seeking help, offering a home, or simply wanting to learn more, we’re here for both you and your scaly friends.

Rescue • Educate • Advocate • Rehome 🦎❤️

06/05/2026

🥰Adoption Day!! 🥰
Welcome to your new 🏡 little friend. We hope to get updates and hope the transition goes smoothly! Wishing much happiness to you in your new home! 💕