Beardie uninterested in food?

[DeesBalls]

My beardie does not seem to be interested in crickets or meal worms any more... b4 he would tear them up, but now he dont seem like he is hungery.

i did give him some romain lettus, and cut up strawberries, he ate some of that, but not eating as much as what i thought he would be eaing...

is this normal?

[NennaMeerkat]

I know my guy will go off feed for a feeding or two from time to time, especially if the weather is cold. I would suggest offering greens next week and see what happens with a few meal worms "sprinkled" in. Also I would say instead of Romaine lettuce (or any lettuce for that matter) get Collard or Mustard Greens they are better for dragons overall. As well as squash. He might take to them better as well.

[DeesBalls]

I know my guy will go off feed for a feeding or two from time to time, especially if the weather is cold. I would suggest offering greens next week and see what happens with a few meal worms "sprinkled" in. Also I would say instead of Romaine lettuce (or any lettuce for that matter) get Collard or Mustard Greens they are better for dragons overall. As well as squash. He might take to them better as well.

thanks for such a fast reply...

b4 i have been giving him a dish full of meal worms, OR about 10-15 small crickets and hes been tearing them up...and i could hand feed him too, now i cant even do that. he just looks at the food like... wtf?...

i will try some Collard greens with some meal worms mixed in..

is it okay to use calsium dust on greens and fruits?

[NennaMeerkat]

I don't see any reason why not to use the calcium dust, but I never used it from the get go with my guy and he is fine. Also my guy...he is uber shy about eating and will always wait for me to leave the room he is in before eating. And if I come into the room he will stop and watch me until I leave. Dunno if yours is in the same room as you "live" in but that could be part of his hang up. LOL

Wouldn't worry TO much, my guy this winter hardly ate anything maybe crickets but most of the time we found them dead a day or two later instead of him eating them.

He could also be getting ready for a big shed also. My guy will stop eating while he sheds most of his scales. Especially on the face.

[DeesBalls]

I don't see any reason why not to use the calcium dust, but I never used it from the get go with my guy and he is fine. Also my guy...he is uber shy about eating and will always wait for me to leave the room he is in before eating. And if I come into the room he will stop and watch me until I leave. Dunno if yours is in the same room as you "live" in but that could be part of his hang up. LOL

Wouldn't worry TO much, my guy this winter hardly ate anything maybe crickets but most of the time we found them dead a day or two later instead of him eating them.

He could also be getting ready for a big shed also. My guy will stop eating while he sheds most of his scales. Especially on the face.


He is in my bed room... or i should say snake room/closet. i only go in there about 2-3 times a day... my guy wont eat in front of me either, unless i use the tongs, or fingers.. but he stopped..

he is in shed right now, hes got his tail left to shed off, so maybe that is it...

he is very very active though, so thats gotta be a good sign. lol.

How do you hold these lil guys??? mine is super fast and wants to jump away from me all the time.. im scared ill hurt him :(

[vendettaseve]

There are a couple reasons for Beardies to stop eating. Its usualy nothing to worry about.

The top 3 reasons I find for a Dragon to go off food are as follow.

1. Impaction. When was the last time your Dragon cleared his bowels? if its getting close to a week, give him a hot bath and let him soak, he should release his bowels in the tub.

2. Brumation, Dragons "hibernate" for a few months every year, they tend to do when they hit adolesence.

3. Shedding. They may stop eating during a shed, since there very uncomfortable during this time.

Please let me know how its going soon :D

[DeesBalls]

There are a couple reasons for Beardies to stop eating. Its usualy nothing to worry about.

The top 3 reasons I find for a Dragon to go off food are as follow.

1. Impaction. When was the last time your Dragon cleared his bowels? if its getting close to a week, give him a hot bath and let him soak, he should release his bowels in the tub.

2. Brumation, Dragons "hibernate" for a few months every year, they tend to do when they hit adolesence.

3. Shedding. They may stop eating during a shed, since there very uncomfortable during this time.

Please let me know how its going soon :D

he pooped last night/this morning... so i think it may be due to shedding.. i hope. lol, not too worried since he is so active and evertyhing.

thanks

[NennaMeerkat]

Holding is something that gets easier as they get bigger. My guy was a heck of a leaper when he was little but for the last couple of years, he is a true lounge lizard and loves to just hang out generally wherever I put him (except for outside then he is like a yellow/orange streak). When he was smaller I used to use his tail as a point to grab unto him or hold unto him whenever he tried to run. To this day, when he is particularly grumpy and I need to take care of him or his cage I will lift him up from tail end first (lifting the tail a bit to slide my hand under while holding unto the tail) to move him around.

[lukelightwalker]

Our female beardie just went through a period like that. She wouldn't touch any protein and barely ate enough fruit and greens to keep herself alive. She was also very lethargic and stayed mostly in the cool side of the habitat. Then one day as I was feeding the male some meal worms she came over to get some and has been eating and acting normally ever since. I am told by my roommate that this is fairly normal especially for females just before they come into there mating season.

My beardie does not seem to be interested in crickets or meal worms any more... b4 he would tear them up, but now he dont seem like he is hungery.

i did give him some romain lettus, and cut up strawberries, he ate some of that, but not eating as much as what i thought he would be eaing...

is this normal?

[DeesBalls]

Maybe I have a female, even though she is not of age for breeding could that be it? Because of breeding?

[NennaMeerkat]

My guy is most certainly a guy and he goes off feed for most of the winter and some during the spring...so its not just females that do it :)

[vendettaseve]

My guy is most certainly a guy and he goes off feed for most of the winter and some during the spring...so its not just females that do it :)


Ya Most beardies will Brumate for a couple months during winter, they get all silly and stagger around, go off feed and usualy sleep for most of the day :) Ours walks into walls repeatedly

[DeesBalls]

Thanks everyone for the responses... as for the holding thing I'm not worried about tbat, when he is bigger it will be easier to hold him.

He's eating a little bit, bit not a lot, so I think its shedding and brumation ....

Thanks a lot everyone!!

[NennaMeerkat]

<3 Glad everything is working out for you so far with your lil guy. Continued good luck is wished upon you!

[DeesBalls]

Thanks so much, all my kids are happy and all rusting to calm down:)

[vendettaseve]

Oh also, you should never feed your Dragon Romaine lettuce. It has zero nutritional value and just water to them. It also contains a chemical that binds calcium wich is a problem for growing beardies.

[NennaMeerkat]

Yup yup the best thing is collard or mustard greens with raw squash. That is what my guy feeds on when he isn't inhaling crickets.

[DeesBalls]

Just bought me some mustard greens lol. I switched after last night reading that romain was not good for em'

[mld]

How old is your Bearded Dragon?
How old is your UVB light?
What are your basking temperatures?
What are you using to measure the temperatures with, if you have any pictures of him and the enclosure that would be great!
Size of enclosure?
Length of Beardie snout to vent?
What kind of substrate?
Is he housed alone?
Thanks

Like mentioned already the best staples are:
Mustard greens
Turnip greens
Dandelion greens
Collard greens
and Squash grated

Depending on the age depends how much greens and protein they need.

Hatchling 0-5 months of age 80% protein to 20% greens
Juvenile 5-18 months of age 50% protein to 50% greens
Adult over 18 months of age 20% protein to 80% greens

[DeesBalls]

How old is your Bearded Dragon?-----i estimate around 5-7 months
How old is your UVB light?----- since i got my beardie, 2 months max
What are your basking temperatures?-----basking is 115-120
What are you using to measure the temperatures with, if you have any --digital probe
pictures of him and the enclosure that would be great!---below
Size of enclosure?------20 gal long
Length of Beardie snout to vent?----- i would say 3.5-5"
What kind of substrate?------ been paper towel ever since i got him, just changed to crushed walnut shells, i had 1/3 sand and 2/3 eco earth for like 4 days...
Is he housed alone?------yes
Thanks

Like mentioned already the best staples are:
Mustard greens
Turnip greens
Dandelion greens
Collard greens
and Squash grated

Depending on the age depends how much greens and protein they need.

Hatchling 0-5 months of age 80% protein to 20% greens
Juvenile 5-18 months of age 50% protein to 50% greens
Adult over 18 months of age 20% protein to 80% greens


same general set up, just changed the substrate.... the 2 lights are right by each other now...
paper towel ---> 1/3 sand, 2/3 eco earth (4 days)---> now crushed walnut shells....

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/Dexter/IMAG0580.jpg




HE DID EAT TONIGHT.... LIKE CRAZY :)

[DeesBalls]

here is the dumb sand/eco earth...

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG0731.jpg

most current..

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG0782.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG0781.jpg

[NennaMeerkat]

Yay for eating like a little piggie!

[vendettaseve]

He sure is a little guy :D Its neat to watch them grow into sloths :D

Does he drink from that water bowl? we took the bowl out since he wouldent touch it and started hand watering him daily, with a bath biweekly.

[DeesBalls]

He sure is a little guy :D Its neat to watch them grow into sloths :D

Does he drink from that water bowl? we took the bowl out since he wouldent touch it and started hand watering him daily, with a bath biweekly.

I have seen him like 3 times, I usually use a water bottle and spray in the acid and he drinks like that... I'm looking for a water fall of some kind so if can have water all the time.

Yea I'm glad to of seen him eat tlike that. Lol glad I got that pic.

[belovedboas]

handling beardies is fun....but some are moody!! my guy will bite on an off day....chin all black lol "leave me alone" haha and hes big lol:) this is Hugo lil fatter nowhttp://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l609/belovedboas/DSC00775.jpg?t=1301494807

[mld]

What a little cutie you have! Bearded Dragons are wonderful and full of personality!
He looks like a hatchling!
Here is a picture of my girl at 7.5 months of age
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab353/mld_photo/PB230009.jpg?t=1301498893

Your basking temperatures are too hot!

Basking temp should be 100-110 degrees, I try for 105 for mine.
Ambiant temp should be 85-95 degrees.
Cool side temp should be 75-85 degrees.
Night time temps shouldn't drop below 75 degrees.
Those dial type of thermometers will only read the ambient temperature, you need a digital with a probe, the probe should be touching the basking spot to get an accurate temperature reading.

You will need to invest in a larger enclosure, 20 gallon will be hard to get the proper heat gradient that you need.
4' x 2' x 2' is a good size for a juvenile/adult and even hatchlings.

Crushed walnut and sand are very dangerous for young bearded dragons, ceramic time or paper towel is better.

It looks like you UVB light is a compact florescent (coil type), those can be hard on eyes, and don't give a great amount of uvb that is needed for a bearded dragon.

Some pet stores are just trying to sell their products, so they know people won't purchase their products if they know what is really needed. So they tend to sell the cheapest things, smallest enclosure and don't tell you how fast these guys grow.

[belovedboas]

What a little cutie you have! Bearded Dragons are wonderful and full of personality!
He looks like a hatchling!
Here is a picture of my girl at 7.5 months of age
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab353/mld_photo/PB230009.jpg?t=1301498893

Your basking temperatures are too hot!

Basking temp should be 100-110 degrees, I try for 105 for mine.
Ambiant temp should be 85-95 degrees.
Cool side temp should be 75-85 degrees.
Night time temps shouldn't drop below 75 degrees.
Those dial type of thermometers will only read the ambient temperature, you need a digital with a probe, the probe should be touching the basking spot to get an accurate temperature reading.

You will need to invest in a larger enclosure, 20 gallon will be hard to get the proper heat gradient that you need.
4' x 2' x 2' is a good size for a juvenile/adult and even hatchlings.

Crushed walnut and sand are very dangerous for young bearded dragons, ceramic time or paper towel is better.

It looks like you UVB light is a compact florescent (coil type), those can be hard on eyes, and don't give a great amount of uvb that is needed for a bearded dragon.

Some pet stores are just trying to sell their products, so they know people won't purchase their products if they know what is really needed. So they tend to sell the cheapest things, smallest enclosure and don't tell you how fast these guys grow.

Agreeed!!:)

[DeesBalls]

What a little cutie you have! Bearded Dragons are wonderful and full of personality!
He looks like a hatchling!
Here is a picture of my girl at 7.5 months of age
http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab353/mld_photo/PB230009.jpg?t=1301498893

Your basking temperatures are too hot!

Basking temp should be 100-110 degrees, I try for 105 for mine.
Ambiant temp should be 85-95 degrees.
Cool side temp should be 75-85 degrees.
Night time temps shouldn't drop below 75 degrees.
Those dial type of thermometers will only read the ambient temperature, you need a digital with a probe, the probe should be touching the basking spot to get an accurate temperature reading.

You will need to invest in a larger enclosure, 20 gallon will be hard to get the proper heat gradient that you need.
4' x 2' x 2' is a good size for a juvenile/adult and even hatchlings.

Crushed walnut and sand are very dangerous for young bearded dragons, ceramic time or paper towel is better.

It looks like you UVB light is a compact florescent (coil type), those can be hard on eyes, and don't give a great amount of uvb that is needed for a bearded dragon.

Some pet stores are just trying to sell their products, so they know people won't purchase their products if they know what is really needed. So they tend to sell the cheapest things, smallest enclosure and don't tell you how fast these guys grow.


im getting rid of the walnut, i dont like them either, going back to newspaper..

the temps are are 110 basking
ambient is 84
and cool is 79/80

all of those were measured with a new digital probe...

what should i do for a uva/uvb bulb?

[vendettaseve]

Tried plantation earth? Our guy loves it since he can dig in it and its not abrasive etc

[NennaMeerkat]

Our guy enjoys alfalfa pellets. Its fun to watch him bury himself nearly completely in the stuff. Though I will say our guy is totally a runt LOL He is several years old but is small compared to other dragons of his age.

[Lankyrob]

Our lizards have mercury vapour bulbs, they are more expensive but provide heat and uva and uvb all in one bulb so the cage looks less cluttered.

[DeesBalls]

Going to look into those... thanks.

[mld]

im getting rid of the walnut, i dont like them either, going back to newspaper..

the temps are are 110 basking
ambient is 84
and cool is 79/80

all of those were measured with a new digital probe...

what should i do for a uva/uvb bulb?

Those temperatures sound better!
As for the UVB, keep what you have for now, but when you upgrade your enclosure you can go for the MVB which will give you both heat and UVB or if you don't want to go that route you can get a tube type like the
Repti Glo 10.0 UVB
Desert Terrarium Lamp
You will want it to be the whole length of the enclosure.
My enclosure is 55 inches and I have a 48" UVB linear
MVB are great like already mentioned, reptileuv make the MagaRay bulbs, the cats meow for MVB.

[DeesBalls]

Those temperatures sound better!
As for the UVB, keep what you have for now, but when you upgrade your enclosure you can go for the MVB which will give you both heat and UVB or if you don't want to go that route you can get a tube type like the
Repti Glo 10.0 UVB
Desert Terrarium Lamp
You will want it to be the whole length of the enclosure.
My enclosure is 55 inches and I have a 48" UVB linear
MVB are great like already mentioned, reptileuv make the MagaRay bulbs, the cats meow for MVB.

WHEN I move to my own house, i plan on getting him a 40gal long, or longer if i have to.. i will probably switch over to mvb at that time.. or would it be better to have a uvb linear on going all the way across the tank, so he gets his light everywhere, OR will the mvb give off enought light to sufice...

any way, i cleaned the cage to day and put him back on paper towl.. lol after about 40 dollars wasted on different substrates i went back to a free paper towel. lol.

gave him a bath, and he pooped for me, althought that wasnt a problem b4...

he is doing good, he even ate some crickets and meal worms, i am getting some mustard greens after work and giving him those tonight.

thanks!

[mld]

Sounds good, my gal always goes poop in her bath water!
MVB is the way to go! You just have to be careful when moving them around, you want to let them cool down before moving them.
But they are an all in one bulb, heat and UVB!
They do have a min and max distance to be effective of course it depends on the wattage. But they don't have to be as close as the tube type of UVB bulbs.
It always good to have an extra bulb for backup, incase one blows out!
You can always use a ceramic heat emitter for night time heat during the colder months.

[Lankyrob]

Our lizards have no nighttime heat but their vivs are surrounded by the snake vivs that have 24 hour heat so they never get down to normal room temps.

[mld]

Our lizards have no nighttime heat but their vivs are surrounded by the snake vivs that have 24 hour heat so they never get down to normal room temps.

Your lucky! I just need it in the winter! Her enclosure is in the basement family room. Thats where we are most of the time. Plus its too big and heavy to move the enclosure.