New Baby Dragon not eating!

[Linda Scandura]

Hi, I'm new to Beardie motherhood. I am a little worried. I can't get him to eat anything. I got him 5 days ago from Petco and ate 2 crickets when I put him in his new home, but he hasn't eaten a thing since then. I put crickets and superwormd in and end up taking them out after about an hour. He doesn't even look at them. I know he is supposed to eat 3 times a day but I can't even get him to eat once a day and I am getting worried. I want him to live a great life and be healthy. He is in a 55 gallon tank with such bulb and direct heat bulb. The temp is around 98 or so. I leave the lights and heat on for 14 hours then it's lights out so it can cool off and he can get good rest. I offer him fruits and veggies, but that is usually dried up by the time I get home from work. He doesn't seem to drink much either. I spray him with water and that is all he sends to drink. I have a shallow bowl for him, but again he is not interested. I don't know what to do. My husband says I should stop worrying but I can't. Could someone please help.

Thanks Linda

 

[PatsyB]

At 5 days he's still acclimating to his new home so it's normal for him to not want to eat much right now. Try not to handle him too much right now so that he gets used to his surroundings. Keep offering him food, eventually he will eat it.

Now the temp is 98 where? He should have a basking spot with a temp between 110-115 degrees and a cool spot during the day of around 75-80 degrees. You can get 2 digital probe thermometers that can be attached right to the basking spot and on the cool side. You can also get a temp gun that you can use to measure your temps with. What are you using for UVB?

 

[Linda Scandura]

Hi Patsy, sorry for the delay in answering. Had a hard time with my password. Anyway it is 110 - 113 in his basking area. The other side of his home is between 75 - 80. I also have a small infer tank heat strip that is covered with some linoleum and then with fake grass. I am using a reptile USB 150 bulb and a 75w reptile basking spot lamp. I also have a 18" USB bulb on the cool side as well. Is that enough? How long before he starts eating? All he does is sit in his hammock or on his stick.
Thanks Patsy

 

[Calicofox]

with the fruit and veggies ... put a little bit of water at the bottom of the dish and it will last the entire day... My little guy wont eat his veggies unless they are wet. When i first got him all he ate were the veggies the first week .. i think the pet store had only been feeding him meal worms. Once they got out of his system he was all for the crickets by the dozens!

 

[Linda Scandura]

with the fruit and veggies ... put a little bit of water at the bottom of the dish and it will last the entire day... My little guy wont eat his veggies unless they are wet. When i first got him all he ate were the veggies the first week .. i think the pet store had only been feeding him meal worms. Once they got out of his system he was all for the crickets by the dozens!

I have tried that and he still won't eat them of drink. I put water in a little plate so he can see the water, but e just sits in his hammock. How long before your little one ate?

 

[anonymousn3rd]

I got a little guy from Petsmart about a year ago and it took him about a week to adjust and become interested in his crickets. Then he would only eat if I wasn't watching him! He will eat them eventually, he is still just adjusting

 

[Linda Scandura]

Well when I got home from work today, my little guy drank some water, ate a little kale and a small cricket. Maybe he is getting aclimated to his new surroundings.

 

[Candybugs]

I put my little guy in a clear plastic shoebox with fake grass on the bottom for traction with 2 week old crickets and then I hold his basking light over and he goes to town. The light over it is like his go button.

 

[Linda Scandura]

Thanks I'll try that!

 

[Candybugs]

I hope it works for you let me know.

 

[Linda Scandura]

Well I didn't have to do what you suggested. I got up this morning and my little guy ate 5 crickets. It's a start. I let him try some fog off of my tree and he didn't seem to interested in that although he did lick his lips. He's getting there. Thanks for all the advice. ☺

 

[Candybugs]

I always have to remind myself how small their little stomachs are. Did you see the 3 Rd eye thing. Take a pic of the babies head and crop it like 3 xs and you'll see it. Amazing

 

[Candybugs]

I'm glad he ate for you too

 

[Candybugs]

Hefs 3rd eye. I just found out about this little tid bit of information so I'm still in awe.

 

[anonymousn3rd]

That's good news! I'm glad that he's beginning to come around.
Just be very careful of what you feed him from outside as it could have all kinds of parasites or bacteria!

 

[Linda Scandura]

Ok, thanks I will. I just figured I eat them so the should he ok.

 

[PatsyB]

Glad he's coming around. I would get rid of the heat strip under the tank. Beardies don't feel heat on their belly and if it gets too hot it could burn him and he wouldn't even know. Also the linoleum might let off fumes if it gets heated especially if there is glue on the bottom of it.

 

[Linda Scandura]

Ok thanks I'll get rid of it.

 

[Linda Scandura]

I always have to remind myself how small their little stomachs are. Did you see the 3 Rd eye thing. Take a pic of the babies head and crop it like 3 xs and you'll see it. Amazing

What is the 3rd eye thing all about? What did you use on the bottom of your tank when yours was young?

 

[PatsyB]

Here's some info on the third eye. It helps them sense predators overhead without moving their head to look up.
http://www.anapsid.org/parietal.html