Baby beardie - seems lethargic

[Alynn0626]

Hello! Just got a new beardie at PetSmart, I’m usually against it but we did anyways. It was listed as a red morph. I’m not super familiar with beardie morphs. Since we got him setup he’s been acting odd & I know he needs time to settle in but it’s so strange. Our husbandry is listed below.

He was limp, not moving sleeping on his basking rock. I put out arugula he showed no interest. I offered 3 small crickets dusted w Arcadia D3 supplement, he ate them rather quick walked around a little then went back to his corner as pictured below. Before I found him on his side next to his water bowl, I actually thought he was dead. I’m so confused on this behavior I’ve done a lot of research and am super familiar with all types of reptiles as this one is our 6th reptile in this tiny apartment . I just want feedback and advice. Im so worried.he also hasn’t pooped yet since being with us

Husbandry

Cage: 24x18x12
Substrate: Bioactive 50% sand, 40% top soil, 10% coco fiber
Lighting: 75W Arcadia bulb - temp 100-115 for basking
UVB : 12% T5 Arcadia from corner to corner
Food : we have collard greens, arugula, spring mix, & escarole ( he didn’t eat the arugula I put out for him)
• tiny crickets - ate 3 dusted with D3 About 2 hours ago, offered a 4th but he wouldn’t eat it
• small water dish in cge

 

[Sadie]

Hello! Just got a new beardie at PetSmart, I’m usually against it but we did anyways. It was listed as a red morph. I’m not super familiar with beardie morphs. Since we got him setup he’s been acting odd & I know he needs time to settle in but it’s so strange. Our husbandry is listed below.

He was limp, not moving sleeping on his basking rock. I put out arugula he showed no interest. I offered 3 small crickets dusted w Arcadia D3 supplement, he ate them rather quick walked around a little then went back to his corner as pictured below. Before I found him on his side next to his water bowl, I actually thought he was dead. I’m so confused on this behavior I’ve done a lot of research and am super familiar with all types of reptiles as this one is our 6th reptile in this tiny apartment . I just want feedback and advice. Im so worried.he also hasn’t pooped yet since being with us

Husbandry

Cage: 24x18x12
Substrate: Bioactive 50% sand, 40% top soil, 10% coco fiber
Lighting: 75W Arcadia bulb - temp 100-115 for basking
UVB : 12% T5 Arcadia from corner to corner
Food : we have collard greens, arugula, spring mix, & escarole ( he didn’t eat the arugula I put out for him)
• tiny crickets - ate 3 dusted with D3 About 2 hours ago, offered a 4th but he wouldn’t eat it
• small water dish in cge

Ok the temps in the tank how are you reading them? I see no gauges in the tank -- please get a digital probe thermometer and get a accurate surface basking temp- 115 is too hot - you want surface basking temps of 105-110 - next your screen on your tank please post a pic of it from the top so I can see it - we need to get those temps and your UVB adjusted correctly - he is going thru relocation stress so his eating is going to be off that is normal -- its when he quits eating all together that is a problem - I am going to ask about the substrate your using I think its ok for an adult dragon but babies I am iffy on it -- please take the water bowl out -- have you seen him drink out of it? I dont want him getting into and laying in it and aspirating water -- are you feeding any salads like greens - collards turnip mustard or kale - those can be rinsed before serving and he will get most of his moisture from them - has he been basking at all or hiding ? We need to get those temps correct and his UVB properly placed on your tank so he can adjust and acclimate to his tank -- you have a great UVB it is a little strong for such a small tank but its going to be great for the next tank he goes into which wont be long - by the time hes 6 months for sure

 

[Alynn0626]

Ok the temps in the tank how are you reading them? I see no gauges in the tank -- please get a digital probe thermometer and get a accurate surface basking temp- 115 is too hot - you want surface basking temps of 105-110 - next your screen on your tank please post a pic of it from the top so I can see it - we need to get those temps and your UVB adjusted correctly - he is going thru relocation stress so his eating is going to be off that is normal -- its when he quits eating all together that is a problem - I am going to ask about the substrate your using I think its ok for an adult dragon but babies I am iffy on it -- please take the water bowl out -- have you seen him drink out of it? I dont want him getting into and laying in it and aspirating water -- are you feeding any salads like greens - collards turnip mustard or kale - those can be rinsed before serving and he will get most of his moisture from them - has he been basking at all or hiding ? We need to get those temps correct and his UVB properly placed on your tank so he can adjust and acclimate to his tank -- you have a great UVB it is a little strong for such a small tank but its going to be great for the next tank he goes into which wont be long - by the time hes 6 months for sure

Thank you so much for responding ! I’m not home right now but it’s the zoomed 24x18x12 low cage, top is mesh. I gave him arugula before that was damn hoping he would get hydration through that. Is arugula OK? If not I do have collard greens and I also have a escarole. As far as temperatures go I use three different infrared thermometer guns always read the same I’ve been using them for a really long time so I prefer to use them over temperature gauges in the cage, when I left his basking spot read 107 F. It was so hot because
Previously I didn’t have it lifted, now it’s lifted and temp seems good so far I’ll check the moment I get home as well. Our UV is laying across the top corner to corner. Is the 12% okay? If not what’s the better option? Also, another thing I’ve had trouble with finding sources and info on is supplementing. How often do they get d3? I use Arcadia earthpro & rhen the d3 one as well.

 

[Sadie]

Thank you so much for responding ! I’m not home right now but it’s the zoomed 24x18x12 low cage, top is mesh. I gave him arugula before that was damn hoping he would get hydration through that. Is arugula OK? If not I do have collard greens and I also have a escarole. As far as temperatures go I use three different infrared thermometer guns always read the same I’ve been using them for a really long time so I prefer to use them over temperature gauges in the cage, when I left his basking spot read 107 F. It was so hot because
Previously I didn’t have it lifted, now it’s lifted and temp seems good so far I’ll check the moment I get home as well. Our UV is laying across the top corner to corner. Is the 12% okay? If not what’s the better option? Also, another thing I’ve had trouble with finding sources and info on is supplementing. How often do they get d3? I use Arcadia earthpro & rhen the d3 one as well.

IR guns are good but you want that digital probe - IR guns cannot read off of certain materials hammocks being one of them -- please get two digital probes https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...meters-1/products/zoo-med-digital-thermometer
temps need to be 105-110 for a baby -- when hes around 5-6 months old he wont want them that hot 95-100--
the argula is a great staple for him -- the 12% bulb is a good strong bulb so it being on top of the tank please tell me how many inches from the UVB to the little house/ hide under it it is?
He should be getting D3 5 X per week ONCE per feeding dusted on his insects -- lightly dusted - vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 X per week lightly dusted ONCE per feeding -- is earthpro a vitamin w/ beta carotene?
here is a website for nutrition ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
please get a digital probe hygrometer -- humidity in the tank should be optimal 40-50% nothing under 20% and over 70% -- place the probe on the back center wall of the tank https://dubiaroaches.com/products/exo-terra-digital-hygrometer?_pos=1&_sid=ac857912b&_ss=r
When you upgrade the tank please get at least a 18" high tank 24" is better
I am still waiting to hear back about the substrate -- I personally do not like loose substrates they harbor bacteria and can cause impaction especially for babies --

 

[Alynn0626]

IR guns are good but you want that digital probe - IR guns cannot read off of certain materials hammocks being one of them -- please get two digital probes https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...meters-1/products/zoo-med-digital-thermometer
temps need to be 105-110 for a baby -- when hes around 5-6 months old he wont want them that hot 95-100--
the argula is a great staple for him -- the 12% bulb is a good strong bulb so it being on top of the tank please tell me how many inches from the UVB to the little house/ hide under it it is?
He should be getting D3 5 X per week ONCE per feeding dusted on his insects -- lightly dusted - vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 X per week lightly dusted ONCE per feeding -- is earthpro a vitamin w/ beta carotene?
here is a website for nutrition ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
please get a digital probe hygrometer -- humidity in the tank should be optimal 40-50% nothing under 20% and over 70% -- place the probe on the back center wall of the tank https://dubiaroaches.com/products/exo-terra-digital-hygrometer?_pos=1&_sid=ac857912b&_ss=r
When you upgrade the tank please get at least a 18" high tank 24" is better
I am still waiting to hear back about the substrate -- I personally do not like loose substrates they harbor bacteria and can cause impaction especially for babies --

The Arcadia earthpro has “algae carotenoid”, calcium carbonate, mineral clay, protein powder, vitamin b premix, & pee pollen.

We definitely wanted taller but the pet store had this one. Our snake has 30x18x16 so that’ll be his next cage, as we’re upgrading our snake. then the final upgrade will be 48”, is that sufficient for an adult?

We always have done bioactive and have never had issues with it. I can see a possible impaction concern but the soils patted down so it’s not necessarily loose substrate. We also have isopods which handle cleanup once cycled properly.

I’ll get the digital probe right now! I have hygrometers we bought for our chameleon I’ll use one of those.

The distance between the uv & the tip top of the house is 7.5 inches! Should we raise it?

 

[Alynn0626]

IR guns are good but you want that digital probe - IR guns cannot read off of certain materials hammocks being one of them -- please get two digital probes https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...meters-1/products/zoo-med-digital-thermometer
temps need to be 105-110 for a baby -- when hes around 5-6 months old he wont want them that hot 95-100--
the argula is a great staple for him -- the 12% bulb is a good strong bulb so it being on top of the tank please tell me how many inches from the UVB to the little house/ hide under it it is?
He should be getting D3 5 X per week ONCE per feeding dusted on his insects -- lightly dusted - vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 X per week lightly dusted ONCE per feeding -- is earthpro a vitamin w/ beta carotene?
here is a website for nutrition ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
please get a digital probe hygrometer -- humidity in the tank should be optimal 40-50% nothing under 20% and over 70% -- place the probe on the back center wall of the tank https://dubiaroaches.com/products/exo-terra-digital-hygrometer?_pos=1&_sid=ac857912b&_ss=r
When you upgrade the tank please get at least a 18" high tank 24" is better
I am still waiting to hear back about the substrate -- I personally do not like loose substrates they harbor bacteria and can cause impaction especially for babies --

Also love the nutrition website u sent that’s so much more info than I was able to find on nutrition thank youuuuu

 

[Sadie]

The Arcadia earthpro has “algae carotenoid”, calcium carbonate, mineral clay, protein powder, vitamin b premix, & pee pollen.

We definitely wanted taller but the pet store had this one. Our snake has 30x18x16 so that’ll be his next cage, as we’re upgrading our snake. then the final upgrade will be 48”, is that sufficient for an adult?

We always have done bioactive and have never had issues with it. I can see a possible impaction concern but the soils patted down so it’s not necessarily loose substrate. We also have isopods which handle cleanup once cycled properly.

I’ll get the digital probe right now! I have hygrometers we bought for our chameleon I’ll use one of those.

The distance between the uv & the tip top of the house is 7.5 inches! Should we raise it?

It's on top of the screen is he basking under it and for how long? The substrate I am thinking it's ok + it's the coco fiber I am concerned about - you want a 4x2x2 for him that is a optimal tank size- floor space not height

 

[Alynn0626]

It's on top of the screen is he basking under it and for how long? The substrate I am thinking it's ok + it's the coco fiber I am concerned about - you want a 4x2x2 for him that is a optimal tank size- floor space not height

He basked for an hour most today. He ate 3 crickets then basked for a little then I came back to check on him & he was in the corner of the cage up against the glass sleeping. Then he went to the upper corner of the cage and slept there (pic below) for 4 + hours. I came home from work like 1 hour ago and he was still there, I checked on him I thought he was dead, again, and he was like weak, not moving, not opening his eyes, nothing, I put him down on his rock and he just laid there and fell asleep I guess, idk what to do, lights are out now until 6:30am (est). I’m scared he’ll die, I don’t trust these pet stores so I’m extra paranoid. Any instructions or advice i appreciate.

 

[Sadie]

He basked for an hour most today. He ate 3 crickets then basked for a little then I came back to check on him & he was in the corner of the cage up against the glass sleeping. Then he went to the upper corner of the cage and slept there (pic below) for 4 + hours. I came home from work like 1 hour ago and he was still there, I checked on him I thought he was dead, again, and he was like weak, not moving, not opening his eyes, nothing, I put him down on his rock and he just laid there and fell asleep I guess, idk what to do, lights are out now until 6:30am (est). I’m scared he’ll die, I don’t trust these pet stores so I’m extra paranoid. Any instructions or advice i appreciate.

Let me get some help

 

[Alynn0626]

Let me get some help

Thank you so much!

 

[Sadie]

How is the dragon this morning? I am still waiting to hear back from the person I contacted -- hopefully this morning

 

[Alynn0626]

How is the dragon this morning? I am still waiting to hear back from the person I contacted -- hopefully this morning

I woke up and he was basking super alert. He ate 2 crickets about 2 hour ago, he wouldn’t eat the 3rd. I have arugula cut up and dampened. He hasn’t tried that. He did poop. Now he’s climbed the back ground
Again and is just chilling, still moving his head around. When should I attempt to feed again?

 

[Sadie]

I woke up and he was basking super alert. He ate 2 crickets about 2 hour ago, he wouldn’t eat the 3rd. I have arugula cut up and dampened. He hasn’t tried that. He did poop. Now he’s climbed the back ground
Again and is just chilling, still moving his head around. When should I attempt to feed again?

Feed him 3 times per day -- hes eating that is a good sign along w/ the pooping -- please order him some BSFL order some medium do not dust them -- feed as many as you want they are a great staple feeder for babies - use them as lures to the salad bowl https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
I would use them as a supplement to his crickets - make sure your dusting his crickets w/ calcium D3 ONCE per feeding lightly coated -- vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week ONCE per feeding lightly coated - you want him coming to the salad bowl and eating some salad - feed this till hes a year old then the supplements will change along w/ your insect feeding - he will phase out of the 3 times per day feedings -
you can order some small super worms too -- add them to his salad bowl in front of him along w/ the BSFL only 1-3 of those every other day - they are more of a treat worm --- use your tongs to dangle them in front of him and then put them in the salad bowl --
www.dubiaroaches.com the BSFL are also known on this site as nutri grubs
www.symtonbsf.com
try these two websites for both of the worms / larvae
you can get some small horn worms from dubia -- those grow real fast so order a small amount and feed every day you dont want the to out grow him --- they are a good hydrating worm

 

[Alynn0626]

Feed him 3 times per day -- hes eating that is a good sign along w/ the pooping -- please order him some BSFL order some medium do not dust them -- feed as many as you want they are a great staple feeder for babies - use them as lures to the salad bowl https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
I would use them as a supplement to his crickets - make sure your dusting his crickets w/ calcium D3 ONCE per feeding lightly coated -- vitamins w/ beta carotene 2 x per week ONCE per feeding lightly coated - you want him coming to the salad bowl and eating some salad - feed this till hes a year old then the supplements will change along w/ your insect feeding - he will phase out of the 3 times per day feedings -
you can order some small super worms too -- add them to his salad bowl in front of him along w/ the BSFL only 1-3 of those every other day - they are more of a treat worm --- use your tongs to dangle them in front of him and then put them in the salad bowl --
www.dubiaroaches.com the BSFL are also known on this site as nutri grubs
www.symtonbsf.com
try these two websites for both of the worms / larvae
you can get some small horn worms from dubia -- those grow real fast so order a small amount and feed every day you dont want the to out grow him --- they are a good hydrating worm

I have super worms, mealworms, dubias & crickets right now! I’ll order the BSFL, my cham loves those too so even better. I saw you put only dust them once per feeding? What do you mean by that. I dusted the crickets this morning with D3, should I not use d3 again?

 

[Sadie]

I have super worms, mealworms, dubias & crickets right now! I’ll order the BSFL, my cham loves those too so even better. I saw you put only dust them once per feeding? What do you mean by that. I dusted the crickets this morning with D3, should I not use d3 again?

Please no more meal worms for the baby --- they have a exo skeleton on them that is too harsh on babies stomachs -- only dust your crickets one time per feeding w/ the calcium D3 he wont go to a regular calcium till hes a year old -- so if your feeding him crickets 3 times per day only dust them once - regular crickets the other two feedings -- same w/ the vitamins -- you dont want to over feed the cal d3 -- so one time per day

 

[Alynn0626]

Please no more meal worms for the baby --- they have a exo skeleton on them that is too harsh on babies stomachs -- only dust your crickets one time per feeding w/ the calcium D3 he wont go to a regular calcium till hes a year old -- so if your feeding him crickets 3 times per day only dust them once - regular crickets the other two feedings -- same w/ the vitamins -- you dont want to over feed the cal d3 -- so one time per day

Okay got it! He ate 2 crickets today is that okay? He’s still not loving the greens

 

[Sadie]

Okay got it! He ate 2 crickets today is that okay? He’s still not loving the greens

Not really he should be eating 20-25 per feeding- order him some bsfl and some dubias roaches- www.dubiaroaches.com on this website the bsfl are nutri grubs- don't dust those - order medium nutri grubs and the roaches look at their chart and go by the size between his eyes-- you don't want him them bigger than that space between his eyes - add those to his salads do it in front of him so it gets attention you will need a glass or ceramic bowl w/ a lip on it so the nutri grubs can't get out- also get him some medium super worms add those to the tops of his salads 1-3 every other day those will also lure him to that bowl- keep him hydrated drop water on his nose do that every couple of days I am hoping he will lick the water off- they get most of their hydration thru the salads - how are his poops? They need to be formed dark and moist- the urate formed white and moist- is he basking? He should be for at least 4 hrs most bask most of the day

 

[Alynn0626]

Not really he should be eating 20-25 per feeding- order him some bsfl and some dubias roaches- www.dubiaroaches.com on this website the bsfl are nutri grubs- don't dust those - order medium nutri grubs and the roaches look at their chart and go by the size between his eyes-- you don't want him them bigger than that space between his eyes - add those to his salads do it in front of him so it gets attention you will need a glass or ceramic bowl w/ a lip on it so the nutri grubs can't get out- also get him some medium super worms add those to the tops of his salads 1-3 every other day those will also lure him to that bowl- keep him hydrated drop water on his nose do that every couple of days I am hoping he will lick the water off- they get most of their hydration thru the salads - how are his poops? They need to be formed dark and moist- the urate formed white and moist- is he basking? He should be for at least 4 hrs most bask most of the day

He didn’t bask a lot today. I ordered the bsfl & dubias for his size. He’s suppossed to eat 20-25 crickets ? How many crickets would he need. Rn I can’t do anything but crickets until the order comes in

 

[Sadie]

He didn’t bask a lot today. I ordered the bsfl & dubias for his size. He’s suppossed to eat 20-25 crickets ? How many crickets would he need. Rn I can’t do anything but crickets until the order comes in

His main diet is protein but w/ added salads and worms to his diet it will balance it out--- hes fine on the crickets keep trying keep offering him food heres a good bowl for the salads and BSFL the small dubias will stay in there as wellhttps://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d --- I would see which feeder he likes the best some do not like crickets and some do not like dubias ---- Hiccup would not eat crickets even tho the breeder was feeding those when I got him I switched to dubias after my first vet visit she recommended I change to dubias --- Blaze has never been fed crickets and loves the dubias -- but when your nutri grubs come in hand feed him a couple of them -- they are good to hand tame them w/ and then add them to his salads - when I had them I only used like 20 or so of them as my main staple was dubia and Blaze ate around 10-15 of them in the morning -- along w/ his greens and 3 super worms as toppers as well ---

 

[Alynn0626]

His main diet is protein but w/ added salads and worms to his diet it will balance it out--- hes fine on the crickets keep trying keep offering him food heres a good bowl for the salads and BSFL the small dubias will stay in there as wellhttps://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d --- I would see which feeder he likes the best some do not like crickets and some do not like dubias ---- Hiccup would not eat crickets even tho the breeder was feeding those when I got him I switched to dubias after my first vet visit she recommended I change to dubias --- Blaze has never been fed crickets and loves the dubias -- but when your nutri grubs come in hand feed him a couple of them -- they are good to hand tame them w/ and then add them to his salads - when I had them I only used like 20 or so of them as my main staple was dubia and Blaze ate around 10-15 of them in the morning -- along w/ his greens and 3 super worms as toppers as well ---

Thank you so much! I’ll definitely do this once they come in. I’m hoping he eats them. He hasn’t eaten more than 2 crickets today. More poop & urate (2 more today) still kind of sleeping all day, not really basking ): I’m hoping it’s just relocation stress and he comes around. Every day he does seem better though so hopefully he is.