Not eating and hiding

[Calicorks]

Hello all. I just got a baby beardie and I’ve had him for 4 days and since I got him, he hasent eaten anything that I’ve e seen. He also hides and doesn’t bask. I just found him hiding under the paper towel in the corner.

I believe he’s stressed but wanted you’re guys opinion to ensure my baby is on track. He looks healthy, has a bit of a belly and donsent look like he’s missed a meal. Also he’s possibly shedding.

For his first 3 days I had him and another beaded dragon in the same cage, but with a divider to split the one cage into two. They each had access to 107 basking spot and 85 on the cool side. I’ve offered crickets and collard greens and he ignores them. I decided today to completely move him to his own cage and covered all but one of the sides so he can’t see anything to scare him.

I’ve given him two Luke warm baths to ensure he’s hydrated. Should I be concerned? Any suggestions?

Thank you

 

[Calicorks]

I forgot to mention he hasn’t pooped yet at all. I reached out to my breeder and they said they think he’s just stressed and to give him time. How long long can he go without eating? I’d say my dragon is about 5 inches.

 

[Douglas Ellis]

Good afternoon!

There is a lot of information to go over and I would recommend researching some things independently or consulting in a certified vet. I will try my best to summarize to avoid a boring long post. It is hard to put everything into text!

If your measurement is accurate and your beardie is only 5 inches I would put her around 2 months old. Depending on how she has been handled so far most people suggest waiting until they are at least 3 months before moving them around. Like the breeder said the change of environment can be very stressful for a newborn. When I am in that situation I try to spend hours per day near their enclosure to show them I am not a threat. I also talk to them as if they were my own kids. They all have their own personalities so some can be totally fine while others will take a bit to adjust. That is not abnormal.

Be careful with putting a new dragon with another. Beardies prefer isolation from one another and are very territorial. If the previous dragon owned the entire enclosure she/he may not eat simply because the other is showing dominance of that area. Even with a divider it is risky. Two males will usual always fight and even females can become aggressive out of the blue. If the other dragon is bigger it can injure the baby "juvenile" dragon. You can keep more than one, but would highly advise having two separate enclosures for them.

What you seem to be doing is good first steps including the baths for hydration. I would isolate the young one and see if she will eat anything when away from the other beardie. You can try feeding with tweezers at first if she is fearful of your hand, but if she isn't hand feeding builds a lot of trust. My most recent beardie (the one in my picture) barely took three days before she started to show signs of trust. Now she never wants to leave me alone!

Do not pick at the skin while they shed as it can cause an open wound prone to infection. Like you mentioned baths are the best way to assist in that process. Your temps seem fine, but I would suggest using a temp gun to verify. Make sure you don't check it through the glass or lid as that can give you false readings. Keep a close eye on your beardie to see how she progresses.

If you have any other questions feel free to reach out to me.

Respectfully,
Ellis

 

[Calicorks]

Thanks for that. I have them separated now with their own lights and own enclosure. I put in a little hiding spot for him. I will continue to offer food and give daily baths for hydration. When do you think Is too long for him to not be eating?

 

[Douglas Ellis]

Thanks for that. I have them separated now with their own lights and own enclosure. I put in a little hiding spot for him. I will continue to offer food and give daily baths for hydration. When do you think Is too long for him to not be eating?

That all depends on the health of your beardie. Usually at that age they should be eating daily (80% insect 20% veggie diet) because it is important for their growth. I would encourage to separate her entirely away from the other beardie to see if she will eat a few crickets. Make sure they are sized right and not too big.

To make a fair assessment I would need a picture to be able to determine her body fat percentage. Go ahead and attach one if you would like and I could give you a better answer. A day or two more I would consider contacting a licensed exotic vet.

Does she/he follow the crickets with her head when they are around? Does she show any interest in them when you bring them out? What kind of diet did the breeder have her on?

Here is an article the describes reasons of why she/he may not be eating. It mentions months in regards to eating, but that is not the case with your young one. Give it a once over.

https://reptile.guide/bearded-dragons-go-without-food/

Respectfully,
Ellis

*Edited for my terrible composition skills*

 

[Calicorks]

I gave him a 15 second shower and he drank a lot. He’s extremely timid and wants to hide. I left him alone today but still didn’t want to eat. From what I could tell he either ate zero to 3 crickets in 5 days. Had to also change the background on the cage since I found him hiding behind the Exo Terra foam and was afraid he’d crush himself. So, I’d say every day is different and he’s not settling in well. Looks healthy overall. I attached pictures. He’s super cute, I’ve never had such a shy timid guy. I purchased him from a reptile expo and the drive home was 5 hours.

 

[Calicorks]

He continues to hide, and not eat. I keep finding him under the towel. Temps still look good. Overall he looks healthy just exhausted and wants to sleep. I’ve moved him from hiding, to his hot spot and he just runs and hides. Am I bothering him by moving him and stressing him?

 

[lagi84]

While I can't offer any advice (new owner myself), I'm experiencing the same issues, approaching on 48 hours with my baby and only hiding/no drinking/no eating. First time owner so, a little freaked out. :-/

When did you start giving baths? I'm concerned about stressing the baby more than it already is, but I'm getting worried about no intake. Thinking maybe we should try this tomorrow if still not eating and only hiding.

 

[Calicorks]

Today I gave him a warm bath. He’s in a bad shed but still hiding and shy. After his bath I placed him on his hot spot at 109 and he stayed for 15 minutes then went to hide. A few hours later I noticed he had a HUGE poop!! Looked like he lost half his body fat. I saw him go for a bite of collard green but only had one slice. I’ve placed 7 crickets in there and am not sure but he might of eaten 2 can’t tell for sure. He’s still not doing well for a beardie his age. I’m worried about him hiding and eating. The crickets could be hiding as I have not actually seen him eat anything but the one piece of green. I e been trying to leave him alone but from time to time have placed him in his hot spot.

 

[Calicorks]

I’ve been giving him a bath every other day so far and offering water daily.

 

[Douglas Ellis]

While I can't offer any advice (new owner myself), I'm experiencing the same issues, approaching on 48 hours with my baby and only hiding/no drinking/no eating. First time owner so, a little freaked out. :-/

When did you start giving baths? I'm concerned about stressing the baby more than it already is, but I'm getting worried about no intake. Thinking maybe we should try this tomorrow if still not eating and only hiding.

What and how are you trying to feed her? Do you notice any loose skin from shedding?

Respectfully,
Ellis

 

[Douglas Ellis]

He continues to hide, and not eat. I keep finding him under the towel. Temps still look good. Overall he looks healthy just exhausted and wants to sleep. I’ve moved him from hiding, to his hot spot and he just runs and hides. Am I bothering him by moving him and stressing him?

How are you picking him up? For young ones I tend to lay my hand in front of them for a minute or so and then proceed to slowly pick them up from the underside making sure I support all legs. If one of mine is skittish I tend to leave them alone for a few minutes and try again. Force handling can stress them out.

Respectfully,
Ellis

 

[Calicorks]

I did see lose skin fall off after his bath yesterday. When I handle him I come in with my hand flat to not scare him. I don’t come from above as I know that can scare him more. I’ve had 5 beaded dragons that ive raised since they were babies. I’ve never had one that’s acted like this. You guys think he’s just freaked out over something?

 

[Calicorks]

When I try to feed him, I’ve been just putting crickets 3 to 5 at a time lose in there with him, and have offered collard greens daily in front. I’m not even trying hand feeding as I don’t want to make it worse.

 

[lagi84]

What and how are you trying to feed her? Do you notice any loose skin from shedding?

Respectfully,
Ellis

I've had her since Sat, no shedding, her skin looks normal, tried dusting and not dusting crickets (putting a few loose in her viv with her, used hemostats to bring them to her). Yesterday we picked up phoenix and BSFL and today I was able to feed her 5 BSFL (tried crickets again but no success, no success with hornworm either). She wouldn't accept from the hemostats, but I'd put them near her and wait and she'd snatch it up. She came out today to bask and was pretty active, but no drinking or eating of her salad. I hope this is a sign that things are looking up? Would you recommend a bath for hydration?

 

[Calicorks]

I say to give them a warm bath up to the shoulders every other day. Also while the flow is extremely light, bring their nose up to the water and see if they will drink it. I find it helpful for bonding, and an easy way to manage hydration. These guys need plenty of water.

 

[Douglas Ellis]

I've had her since Sat, no shedding, her skin looks normal, tried dusting and not dusting crickets (putting a few loose in her viv with her, used hemostats to bring them to her). Yesterday we picked up phoenix and BSFL and today I was able to feed her 5 BSFL (tried crickets again but no success, no success with hornworm either). She wouldn't accept from the hemostats, but I'd put them near her and wait and she'd snatch it up. She came out today to bask and was pretty active, but no drinking or eating of her salad. I hope this is a sign that things are looking up? Would you recommend a bath for hydration?

Hello again!

From what you describe sounds like she is just nervous. I would try to make sure you spend some time with her in the same room as well as light handling. My most recent princess started eating from my hand almost immediately. Sometimes she would hesitate, but I would put one insect down and she scoop it up. Afterwords she didn't have a problem taking food from me. Sometimes the hemostats can be intimidating. They all have their own personalities!

Bathing is not a bad option as it will help hydrate them. If you want to get her to try crickets I'd recommend trying dusting them up in calcium powder. My girl licks her lips she loves it so much.

It can take some time for her to be confident with you depending on how much quality time you spend together ! Keep at it and keep us posted.

Respectfully,
Ellis

(PS: Sometimes these guys can be stubborn / picky eaters)

 

[Calicorks]

So I finally got a hold of my breeder to confirm what he was feeding him before I got my new guy. Turns out he’s been eating mini meal worms, roaches, and spring mix. I was offering crickets and Collard green. My guy was just being picky as I offered two worms and he ate em both! I know the worms are bad and will try to get him to eat something else but in the mean time, I finally got him to eat after a week of having him. Yay!

 

[Douglas Ellis]

So I finally got a hold of my breeder to confirm what he was feeding him before I got my new guy. Turns out he’s been eating mini meal worms, roaches, and spring mix. I was offering crickets and Collard green. My guy was just being picky as I offered two worms and he ate em both! I know the worms are bad and will try to get him to eat something else but in the mean time, I finally got him to eat after a week of having him. Yay!

Fantastic news. As I mentioned they can be extremely picky eaters so I always inquire on their diet from breeders. I've had success by enticing them with dubia roaches. My girls go nuts over them. Just make sure they are young ones because at this age the tough exoskeleton of mature roaches (let alone size) could be an issue. In my opinion they are more beneficial to growing beardies.

Respectfully,
Ellis

 

[Calicorks]

Funny thing is I had been asking the breeder since I got him and it took until yesterday to tell me. I hate giving the worms but I’ll have too for now. As long as I’m seeing him eat I’ll be happy. Gonna try the roaches with calcium dust tonight.