New Baby Dragon Won't Eat.

[relmich]

I have read the other posts regarding this issue and have gathered a lot of good information. However, I thought I would post my situation to see if there is anything unique I might be missing.

We have a 40 gallon (36" x 18" x 17") enclosure. Initially I had it set up with a dual dome fixture consisting of a 100 W Repti Basking Spot lamp and the ReptiSun CFL UVB lamp. I have two stick on temp/humidity gauges on opposite sides of the enclose which gave me a general idea of the temperature gradient (stick ons show 92F to 80F from basking area to opposite end). I also checked the surface of the basking spot (102 F - 112 F) with a laser temp gun. The substrate surface (bottom of enclosure) on the basking end is about 90-92, the opposite end substrate 78-80.

On 10/8 we brought home the baby bearded dragon and he immediately ate 2 crickets. The next two days he didn't eat anything (offered crickets and mealworms repeatedly). I went to this site and saw that the CFL UVB is not recommended, so I purchased the ReptiSun T8 Terrarium Hood along with ReptiSun 17 W 10.0 UVB lamp. Now as you can see in the photos I rotated the dual dome to allow the new hood to span over 2/3 the length of enclosure. I have a probe temperature gauge coming soon, but for the time being the laser gun seems to work well.

It is now 10/13. Five days since the new baby bearded dragon has eaten. We keep offering crickets, mealworms, peas, and collared greens. He will take drops of water from a dropper daily, and I spray him once or twice a day but he doesn't seem interested in the food. He still seems active and not distressed as far a I can tell, but I can't imagine he can manage too much longer without eating.

My only other thought right now is that there isn't enough UVB getting through the screen of the enclosure. The literature that came with the lamp said it should reach from a 16" height through a screen, but maybe it isn't enough. I'll have to rig something together to hang the terrarium light under the screen if that seems to be the issue (any suggestions on good ways to do this would be great).

I appreciate any advice. I would hate to see the little guy not make it because I missed some detail here or there.

Best Regards,
Rob

https://imgur.com/fINCa7s

https://imgur.com/BuIkQ34

 

[HoomanSlave]

Babies have a high metabolism... going that long without any food is not good. I don't suggest offering mealworms to a dragon that young.
It's recommended to take your new beardie for a checkup within the first 48 hours after bringing them home. That way, you can get to know your vet and discuss any concerns you have, so that you can be prepared in an emergency. If you can, please try to get that checkup.
In the meantime, try offering some baby food with calcium and give your beardie a bath to hydrate it. If you know how, you can try force feeding-always have supplies for force feeding on hand. Here's a good forum to read through when you have the time: https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=236588

Another way to do it is to spray some sugarless fruit juice such as apple (if you have a juicer of some kind use plain fruit in that-no citrus. It will be fresher.) onto your beardie's snout so that they lick it up.

 

[relmich]

Thanks. I'll look to get him checked out soon. What is the best way to transport baby bearded dragons?

 

[Sadie]

You need to get that T 8 into the tank w/ nothing obstructing the bulb meaning if there is a cover over the bulb take it off- T 8 ' s are not strong enough to go thru the screen - it needs be directly over a basking spot of a distance w/ 6-8 inches -- I recommend you hold off on the vet visit --- get your basking temps in order of 105-110 taking w/ a digital probe thermometer and the UVB in the tank and you will notice a difference of behavior ---- right now hes going thru relocation stress and you do not want to make more stress on him -- once you get his lighting in order he should start eating unless he is already sick - he needs salads every morning here is a website for nutrition
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
please get rid of any coils in the tank --- they are no good that T 8 you have and a bright white basking bulb is enough - those two things are the most important thing in that tank

 

[relmich]

You need to get that T 8 into the tank w/ nothing obstructing the bulb meaning if there is a cover over the bulb take it off- T 8 ' s are not strong enough to go thru the screen - it needs be directly over a basking spot of a distance w/ 6-8 inches -- I recommend you hold off on the vet visit --- get your basking temps in order of 105-110 taking w/ a digital probe thermometer and the UVB in the tank and you will notice a difference of behavior ---- right now hes going thru relocation stress and you do not want to make more stress on him -- once you get his lighting in order he should start eating unless he is already sick - he needs salads every morning here is a website for nutrition
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
please get rid of any coils in the tank --- they are no good that T 8 you have and a bright white basking bulb is enough - those two things are the most important thing in that tank

Thanks. I have since suspended the T8 underneath the screen. Today will be the first extended time with the new location of the T8. Hopefully he will start eating soon.

 

[Sadie]

Thanks. I have since suspended the T8 underneath the screen. Today will be the first extended time with the new location of the T8. Hopefully he will start eating soon.

Keep me posted make sure the distance is 6-8 inches directly above the basking decor--

 

[relmich]

I have the T8 as far over as possible w/o totally blocking the heat lamp. So the T8 isn't directly over the basking spot but right near the edge. Will this suffice or should I try and reposition the basking "rock" to kinda split the difference between the heat and UVB?

 

[Sadie]

I have the T8 as far over as possible w/o totally blocking the heat lamp. So the T8 isn't directly over the basking spot but right near the edge. Will this suffice or should I try and reposition the basking "rock" to kinda split the difference between the heat and UVB?

You want full spectrum of uvb meaning no corner or partial uvb-- if you haft to have the lights not together that's fine - he will go.to the light he needs