New Pet Store bought Baby Beardie

[desmith0927]

So, I’ve been wanting a beardie for as long as I can remember. I’ve been and lived around them but never had one myself. Thursday my husband and I were at Petsmart buying some things for our kids’ pets and this lil guy was waving at, following me, and flapping his little arms against the glass at me. He (not 100% sure of sex yet) was the biggest one there at around 7 1/2 inches long. The others were probably too small to even be sold. Anyhow, he took to me right away. Literally kept out of his carrier, climbed up to my shoulder, and parked it there for about two hours when I got him home. So I heard and then read all kinds of conflicting info regarding many aspects of his care. They did say they were just about to feed them when we got him so to make sure we did when we got home. He ate a medium sized cricket when I put him into his terrarium. We got him one of the larger, full set up, thrive (I believe) terrariums and he was all set up. Well since that first night I got him to eat a freeze dried cricket or two that we had for our sons leopard gecko but besides that, he hasn’t eaten anything else that I’ve seen. I planned on giving him fresh fruits and veggies but then read that wasn’t good until a year old. We have live crickets and three kinds of flukers gut busting cricket food/hydration gel. His poop was concerning me because it was dry and had what appeared to be spikey plastic lime green stuff resembling fake plant pieces. Then I read that they sometimes eat fake plants in the pet store because other beardie get to all of the food (heartbreaking!!!) Anyway when I got home from work last night he had seemed tired A LOT and there was a small pile of thick clear molasses like substance under where his mouth was on his basking rock. I’m assuming it was puke. Did some research and realized he needed a lower temp and no lights to sleep. Our house was cold as the temp had dropped and we haven’t pulled the window units out yet so I was concerned about his terrarium temp. I turned off all lights in the room, wrapped him in a fleece blanket, put him beside me so he could feel my body heat, and he was out cold for around 9 hours. I stayed up while he slept because I was truly concerned. He seemed a lot better this afternoon and even was chasing my face back and forth across the glass when I put him back because he wanted me again. He loves being handled. He seems to spend all of his time basking, I’ve only seen him in his water dish once, and again..: not eating much. I did realize he probably needed sleep and he got it. He doesn’t look sick or weak or anything, hasn’t puked today, but again isn’t interested in eating. I am so in love with the little guy!!! He’s so sweet. I’m just really worried something may be wrong but absolutely do not want to return him to petsmart. They don’t seem to know what they’re doing. Advice anyone?? Also, what is good and appropriate to feed a 2-2 1/2 month old? Thanks!! Sorry for the long winded post

 

[desmith0927]

I realize my rambling is kind of confusing so I’m going to clarify one thing, the temp/humidity of the terrarium is where I believe it should be in both zones. It was cold in my room last night before I turned the heat on and while I waited for it to start working, I didn’t want his terrarium to get too cold with the lights off. Because of that, coupled with my worry, I put him in a blanket beside me. The terrarium temp is where it should be and our room is now warmer than it was last night. He’ll have his lights off to get some sleep tonight.

 

[HoomanSlave]

Small crickets and dubia roaches are the safest feeders. Collard and mustard greens with squash, bell pepper, and the occasional apple and carrot are also good choices. Make sure he is getting his supplements and you are using a proper UVB light.
If your habitat was set up the day you brought him home (instead of a week before), make sure you are checking every day for signs of malfunction.
If your house gets below 65 degrees fahrenheit, you will need to get a ceramic heat emitter and run it during the night. Bearded dragons are used to colder temps at night, so no special heat is needed if it's 65 or above.

He could be not eating due to stress, but if he really did eat fake plants he might be feeling a bit ill and could be impacted.