Growth?

[beardie_love]

OKAAAY so whoever read my other post about why my beardies are so small, I took this into consideration......

When I got my 2 beardies from this breeder, she told me to feed them 2-3 crickets a day. I was an inexperienced owner at the time, as they were my first beardies. So, I took what she said, and applied it. So for the month I had them (before I talked to someone who KNEW things about beardies), I've been giving them just that. They were so inactive and whatnot. Anyway, could this be the reason why they haven't been growing rapidly like they should have been?

 

[Red Ink AUS]

So for the month I had them (before I talked to someone who KNEW things about beardies), I've been giving them just that. They were so inactive and whatnot. Anyway, could this be the reason why they haven't been growing rapidly like they should have been?

How are they doing now and what exactly are the husbandry practices you have been told to apply?

 

[beardie_love]

Well she told me about that 2-3 crickets a day, and I think she told me to use the infared light. And also, me being stupid to listen to somebody, told me that I can use a plain household bulb. But now, they are doing FANTASTIC! Since I talked to this reptile owner, he told me everything I need to know about bearded dragons, and it dramatically changed the behavior of my beardies. Because, they used to always cuddle up with each other and hide, and pretty much never come out. And they were always cold to the stomach. But now, they are suuuper active, eating like crazy, loving to bask, always nice and warm, etc etc!

 

[renich]

Lack of food coupled with small viv and bad lighting could very well be the reason for lack of growth. I'm glad you were steered in the right direction. Babies should be VERY active. And it sounds like yours have become just that.

Keep an eye on them. They should start to shed, which indicates they are growing!

 

[beardie_love]

They have started to shed! Bit by bit. But, from the bad info I got from that lady, did I do any permanent growth damage? Like, will they still grow to the expected size?

 

[crypticdragons]

its possible they will and its possible they wont. Its going to dependon how long their setup waslike that, how old they are, and how healthy their line is

 

[renich]

They have started to shed! Bit by bit. But, from the bad info I got from that lady, did I do any permanent growth damage? Like, will they still grow to the expected size?

Remind me how long you have had them and how old they were. I think your chances are pretty good that they can catch up. But they may be a tad smaller than a full size dragon....

 

[egg 80]

heres a size chart from one of my beardie books
1 month= 10 - 15 cm (4 - 6 inch)
3 months= 15 - 15 cm (6 - 10 inches)
6 months= 18 - 38 cm (7 - 15 inches)
9 months= 23 - 40 cm (9 - 16 inches)
12 months= 30 - 50 cm (12 - 20 inches)
18 months= 38 - 60 cm (15 - 24 inches)
this is just a average size chart to age as everything grows at different rates hope it of some use to you
paul

 

[beardie_love]

They have started to shed! Bit by bit. But, from the bad info I got from that lady, did I do any permanent growth damage? Like, will they still grow to the expected size?

Remind me how long you have had them and how old they were. I think your chances are pretty good that they can catch up. But they may be a tad smaller than a full size dragon....

I've had them since about mid November, and they were supposedly '2 months' old. But that guy I went to for info said they can't be as old as they 'are'. He said this a little over a month ago when I brought my little ones to him. So I'm kinda confused? I hope they still grow big..

 

[beardie_love]

heres a size chart from one of my beardie books
1 month= 10 - 15 cm (4 - 6 inch)
3 months= 15 - 15 cm (6 - 10 inches)
6 months= 18 - 38 cm (7 - 15 inches)
9 months= 23 - 40 cm (9 - 16 inches)
12 months= 30 - 50 cm (12 - 20 inches)
18 months= 38 - 60 cm (15 - 24 inches)
this is just a average size chart to age as everything grows at different rates hope it of some use to you
paul

Wow, compared to this, if mine are actually '5 months old' now, my dragons seem pretty average? :S

 

[ladyknite]

that's a fairly standard chart, and a good resource. if they're slightly over or under don't worry. it is just a visual.

how long are they now?

 

[beardie_love]

My girl is 9 inches and my boy is 8 inches