New to the beardie world

[shacks]

Hello everyone, I have recently acquired a 5 year old dragon which wasn't being looked after properly. He was very pale and had no uv light or basking lamp. So being that I am a complete novice, I checked out some info on the Web and bought him a new uv light and basking lamp. After a full day his colour is coming back and he's looking better. I have no idea how much food to give him or when he eats. Also a bit concerned about his tank size. It's 4ft long, only 1ft wide And about 1 1/2ft high. He looks to struggle turning around.

 

[PatsyB]

Welcome to the forum! Good for you for taking him in and trying to give him a better life. He is going to need a bigger tank. One that is at least wider so he can comfortably move around. A healthy 5 year old should be eating more greens and veggies than protein but since he wasn't being looked at properly, I would feed him an equal amount of both. Leave a salad in the whole day and try to feed him live food a few times a day as much as he wants to eat, at least until he gets more healthy. There is a nutritional chart here http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html that gives good advise on what are good things for him to eat. Wait at least an hour after his lights go on in the morning and try feeding him and then at night 2 hours before lights out try again.

Also give him baths to help get him hydrated. Just warm water, like a babies bath, and you can drip water on his nose and get him to lick it off. Sometimes they will stick their head in the water and drink on their own.

Does he have a name? Do you have a photo?

 

[Nichole1228]

Welcome!! U came to the right place, everyone here is really nice and very helpful!! Bearded dragons are so much fun I think u will really enjoy him

 

[shacks]

Welcome to the forum! Good for you for taking him in and trying to give him a better life. He is going to need a bigger tank. One that is at least wider so he can comfortably move around. A healthy 5 year old should be eating more greens and veggies than protein but since he wasn't being looked at properly, I would feed him an equal amount of both. Leave a salad in the whole day and try to feed him live food a few times a day as much as he wants to eat, at least until he gets more healthy. There is a nutritional chart here http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html that gives good advise on what are good things for him to eat. Wait at least an hour after his lights go on in the morning and try feeding him and then at night 2 hours before lights out try again.

Also give him baths to help get him hydrated. Just warm water, like a babies bath, and you can drip water on his nose and get him to lick it off. Sometimes they will stick their head in the water and drink on their own.

Does he have a name? Do you have a photo?

Thanks for all the info. It will really help me. His name is Franklin

 

[PatsyB]

What a handsome fella! He looks good!

 

[Mushuandcricket]

Welcome! He is handsome. That salad looks so good I want to eat it .

 

[PatsyB]

Welcome! He is handsome. That salad looks so good I want to eat it .

I was eyeing that salad too. A little balsamic dressing YUM!

 

[Elemental Dragon Lord]

Welcome to your new addiction