Newbie. New beardie Kaiba from petsmart

[Karyl]

Greetings from the DC Area.

Last month I got little beardie from petsmart.

I wasnt planning at all. I just did. Saw him or her and did. I was there for some dog food.

I had purchased one for my son 20 years ago and it died about two months later. We never tried a beardie since. Never knew back then what I have researched now.

This beardie is for me and Kaiba is in a 40 gallon tank in my bedroom with uva and heat lamp...also waterfall. Shedding... So I Kaibw a nice warm bath every day. Every day their has been a bowel movement.

Wont eat any veggies. I try every day. Stares at crickets and goes after a few then gives up. Finally got dubia roaches this past week and Kaiba might eat about 10 to 15 a day at most. Only if I hand feed and rub on mouth. Today kaiba watched my hands and took 5 only as if mad.

How in the world do I get him or her to eat more?
I have tried wax worms. Same only a few a day. Just so I know something is being eaten.

I do assist feed thats when I can get in about 15-20 a day. Reading though it seems as if their baby beardies eat 50 a day.

Not happening with Kaiba.

Do some just eat 10 a day of bugs?

 

[Hdrydr31]

Greetings from the DC Area.

Last month I got little beardie from petsmart.

I wasnt planning at all. I just did. Saw him or her and did. I was there for some dog food.

I had purchased one for my son 20 years ago and it died about two months later. We never tried a beardie since. Never knew back then what I have researched now.

This beardie is for me and Kaiba is in a 40 gallon tank in my bedroom with uva and heat lamp...also waterfall. Shedding... So I Kaibw a nice warm bath every day. Every day their has been a bowel movement.

Wont eat any veggies. I try every day. Stares at crickets and goes after a few then gives up. Finally got dubia roaches this past week and Kaiba might eat about 10 to 15 a day at most. Only if I hand feed and rub on mouth. Today kaiba watched my hands and took 5 only as if mad.

How in the world do I get him or her to eat more?
I have tried wax worms. Same only a few a day. Just so I know something is being eaten.

I do assist feed thats when I can get in about 15-20 a day. Reading though it seems as if their baby beardies eat 50 a day.

Not happening with Kaiba.

Do some just eat 10 a day of bugs?

Welcome to the forum and welcome back to beardies!
Alot has changed over the years and technology has gotten better. So here are some questions. Do you have a tube style UVB light?? As the coil ones can hurt their eyes. A very good one is reptisun T5 HO 10.0 this will penetrate the wire mesh tops and will get to the lower areas of the tank. What are you using for the basking heat lamp? these 2 should overlap a bit as they need the UVB and the Heat to digest and absorb the nutrients. What are your temps in the basking in the warm and on the cool side? This could be why your little one isn't interested in much food as it could be too cool or too hot..
Don't stress over the salad just offer it everyday just keep trying. if you click on the link under several of our comments you'll find general care and in there are 2 good salad lists of what to feed how often...
You said a waterfall...be careful that it doesn't increase the humidity too much in your tank as that's a big cause of respiratory issues. as long as your offering nice juicy bugs he/she will get moisture that way, along with baths they tend to drink some there. Baths are also great for shedding and for bowel movements. (mine only go in their bathtime fine with me easy clean up)
We love pictures (if you've posted elsewhere sorry this is the first post i've read so far) how big is your little one? my Simon is 5 months old and he eats 4-6 superworms, bowl of dubia roaches 20ish and some salad every day spread out into 3 feedings.
Also have you had his/her tested for parasites? that can cause lack of appetite.

 

[Karyl]

Thanks so much for responding.
Yes I have all the appropriate items. Except a proper temp gage.
I do have a 75 watt heat lamp for basking, the same tube uva light from same company inside of tank and offer different salad mixes and no lettuce.

Here is a photo of Kaiba today.

 

[Waltumusprime]

I thought a bearded needs uvb.

Sent from my QTAIR7 using Tapatalk

 

[Hdrydr31]

Yes you do need UVB tube style lighting that mimics natural sunlight, UVB is needed for production of D3 which allow metabolize of Calcium. Improper UVB lighting can lead to MBD and overall health..
UVA is more of a heat source. Unless you use a mercury vapor bulb that gives off all spectrum's of light.

 

[Waltumusprime]

ok cause i saw him mention uva but no uvb, but a merc vapor bulb makes sense.

 

[BrookeE]

Taking your dragon outdoors and letting it get some natural sunlight really tends to kickstart their bodies and appetites.

 

[Hdrydr31]

Yep getting them outside in the sun 75F will do great things for these babies! 1 hour = 8 under tube UVB

 

[JUNGLE JIM]

I don't think a 75 watt bulb is big enough for a 40 gallon tank. I had one in mine five inches above the basking site and temp was only 94 degrees. Spike wasn't a big eater either. I switched to a 100 watt bulb and now temp is 108. Big difference in appetite. Eating twice as much as he used to and a lot more active. The extra 25 watts make a big difference. Hydration is a big deal as well. I use a small syringe and give them water that way, they drink water drops from the tip.Getting a temp gauge to get readings from various basking spots help get an idea of how warm they are getting. I got mine from Harbor Freight for $12.99.

 

[laswabbie]

I've got a new dragon also, and like yours he is barely eating - only a few feeders a day - and I've offered a variety of foods (crickets, dubia and BSFL). Everyone has told me to be patient and let him settle in. Probably the same for you.

 

[Hdrydr31]

I've got a new dragon also, and like yours he is barely eating - only a few feeders a day - and I've offered a variety of foods (crickets, dubia and BSFL). Everyone has told me to be patient and let him settle in. Probably the same for you.

Yep lighting and heat is key and soo important for the little ones as they can go downhill fast so make sure and check all husbandry is spot on..