Hello, my son just got a bearded dragon, he is about 3-4 months old. We have never had one so I am learning as we go. My question is if I give him crickets do I leave them in there? He doesn't seem to be eating much, I am thinking maybe he is stressed due to the new environment? He ate a couple of mealworms today but I have only seen him eat 1 cricket. He was asleep in the corner of his tank and there were about 3 on him and I am worried about them biting him, should I take them out if he doesn't eat them? I also have juvenile bearded dragon food that I moistened with water but I haven't seen him eat that either. I put some collar greens and grapes but he didn't eat that. I am just concerned he isn't eating much, even though he is a baby shouldn't he eat a little more? We have only had him since Thursday. Thank you for any advice!
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New owner
- Thread starter marjam
- Start date
atochats
Juvenile Dragon
- Messages
- 432
- Location
- Midwest USA
I would definitely not leave the crickets in there if he hasn't shown interest in them. They can bite and chew on your dragon. Leave em in for a bit (maybe half an hour or so?) but then round em up and take em out. Then try again later. Establish a feeding schedule...greens in the a.m...crix in the afternoon...crix again in the evening. I'm sure some more experienced ppl here can turn you on to a more specific schedule, with more options, as well as calcium coating and multivitamin use. I'd also try to stay away from mealworms for the baby. I know you just want to get SOME kind of food down him, but mealworms are kinda just a treat...and their exoskeletons are hard to digest for babies. Keep him hydrated, and give him time is my humble opinion 
SpecialGreg
Hatchling Dragon
- Messages
- 36
Scooping them into a cup they can't jump out of or something similar.
atochats
Juvenile Dragon
- Messages
- 432
- Location
- Midwest USA
I would shake them with the calcium powder inside of a Ziploc bag before putting them in his tank...so I just scooped em back up with that same bag. One by one, take and dump em back in their cricket tank. You kinda have to use your fingers to bend the stiff upper edges of the bag, to snug it into corners where the crix may be, but with some patience you get faster at it.
Augie
Juvenile Dragon
- Messages
- 534
- Location
- San Antonio TX
1. New dragons need 10-14 days to acclimate to their new surroundings. During this time period your interactions should only be when you clean the tank or feed him.
2. Leave good greens like collards in a dish for the day, and feed live prey 2-3 times a day. This should be your feeding schedule until he gets older. Keep fruits to a minimum, like 1-2 times a week with the greens (if at all). You will notice after a few months their appetite will slow down, but until then make sure you feed them enough so they grow healthy.
3. What light/heat setup do you have? What bulbs do you use? I only ask because you say you're new and learning as you go, but having the right setup is critical and not something you want to learn with trial and error.
2. Leave good greens like collards in a dish for the day, and feed live prey 2-3 times a day. This should be your feeding schedule until he gets older. Keep fruits to a minimum, like 1-2 times a week with the greens (if at all). You will notice after a few months their appetite will slow down, but until then make sure you feed them enough so they grow healthy.
3. What light/heat setup do you have? What bulbs do you use? I only ask because you say you're new and learning as you go, but having the right setup is critical and not something you want to learn with trial and error.
I have a 20 gallon tank with a 75 watt heated bulb on 1 side, normal temp is about 105-110. On the other side there is the UVB bulb that came in the bearded dragon starter kit we got, it is at about 78 degrees. He still isn't eating and I am getting concerned. I called Petsmart where we got him and the guy said to take all the decorations out and put the crickets in so he can see them, I did that and he did eat one, but I tried again today and put 3 in this morning and they are all still there. I have a dish of greens and juvenile bearded dragon food moistened. He did poop so I am assuming he is getting something? I just thought he would be eating a lot more. We have been handling him a lot so I will just leave him alone, also my cat keeps getting on top of his cage so maybe I should move it where the cats can't get to it until he gets comfortable? Maybe they are stressing him out so he won't eat?
Augie
Juvenile Dragon
- Messages
- 534
- Location
- San Antonio TX
It definitely sounds like stress. Give him some space for a few more days.
SpecialGreg
Hatchling Dragon
- Messages
- 36
Ya he's just gotta get comfortable in his new home. Try to handle him less for the next few weeks. And just keep trying to feed everyday. But remove the crickets at night as they will eat at your dragon while sleeping. Good luck everything else sounds like you have it right. What kinda substrate do you have?
atochats
Juvenile Dragon
- Messages
- 432
- Location
- Midwest USA
Did you say that your UV light is on one side of the tank, and your basking area is on the other? They should both be on the same side so he gets UV while basking. Is there any way you can get them both on the same side? Not that this will help him eat more...that'll just take time like Augie said...but just for proper set up of your tank
