Not eating and hiding

[Jacob melanistic]

they like bugs when they are young

 

[Jacob melanistic]

they also like more plants when they are older.

 

[Calicorks]

I purchased two small horn worms and he ate them like nothing. looks like he’s getting better! I almost got him to eat the 2nd one out of my hand.

 

[lagi84]

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)

Thank you for writing back! I'm sorry to piggy back this thread but I was so nervous.

Well, yesterday we tried a bath. She won't drink from it, wouldn't drink from putting drops near her nose, nothing, same thing today. About 30 min post bath, she was BIG TIME shedding. Like it freaking snowed in there! We will try hand feeding her like you said (she refuses anything with CA poweder, using repashy plus), but she's been turning her nose up at BSFL and crickets yesterday and today again. Her sides are looking kind of wrinkled, like she's dehydrated/thin, so I guess that's what I'm concerned about. For a baby to eat like two bugs a day, sometimes less for five days doesn't seem right. Is this something you'd be worried about?

 

[Calicorks]

So I think we’re in the clear. He’s been slowly eating collard greens and spring mix in the morning, and I got him with two worms at night. I know that’s not much but I’m building his appetite. I’ve been offering more than two worms a day but that’s all he’ll eat for now. Also, he LOVES horn worms that I’ve also been offering every other day. Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[Jacob melanistic]

i am so happy he is okay.

 

[Galapoodle]

Glad things are looking up for OP Calicorks. I wanted to add one thing. I understand you've switched off crickets for now, but later, when you introduce them again, (it'll love them eventually), make sure to keep track of them and remove any that go uneaten. They will bite beardies when they're sleeping is the main reason. Them shitting everywhere and smelling up the viv would also stress out the dragon.

For piggyback issue with lagi84, it should def concern you if it's not eating. Has there been any improvement? Sounds like the bath really helped. It's possible with the stress of the move, the shed and possibly new diet (note the OP had to find out what it was accustomed to eating) that it's affected it appetite. If it's continued to decline I urge you to take it to an exotics vet. Childhood seems to be the hardest for these little creatures to get through. So many things can take them. Our first dragon had gout, he was so small, there was nothing we could do. Didn't last 2 weeks. Not eating was the thing we picked up on. Consider starting your own thread and get your viv checked on by the experts to make sure your lighting and temps (viv setup) is total on point. Would love an update...

 

[Jacob melanistic]

woah, watch the profanity! seriosly!

 

[Galapoodle]

woah, watch the profanity! seriosly!

Whoa sorry, I didn't know that was still considered a swear. Just dawned on me what in the world you were talking about.

No offense was meant to anyone obviously.

 

[Jacob melanistic]

its okay. you are a good person for apologizing.