Proper weight?

[northface75]

Okay, so after seeing every website boast the weight of their dragons, I picked up a kitchen food scale at the drug store today, by that I mean, I stole the scales from my drug dealer. hahah, just kidding..... Anywho, my girls, which are, give or take about 8 months old, are only just over 200 grams, which is pretty small in comparison to other dragons I've seen around the same age...

cutting to the chase, are my dragons underweight for their age?? I mean, I feed them crickets two or three times a day, I drop them in until they dont seem interested anymore. But all in all, they dont eat over a dozen crickets each. They get fresh greens every morning, and I refill it if they eat it all.

I see some people saying their beardies eat like 30 adult crickets a day! My girls dont eat ANYWHERE near that amount. Is there something I'm missing here? I dont think my girls would even consider eating that many crickets.

 

[zebraflavencs]

Several things may be working against them.
They are housed together, are they not ? Some dragons, that poses some negative stresses, and the multi housed dragons tend not to eat as much.

Then again, it just could be the insect feeder. Mine get bored of the same old same old, so either I have to change up feeders, or just deal with the lack of interest.

Also, prior husbandry as well as genes could be affecting them. Their parents may have been small, thus they too can be smaller.

So you can see, without even touching lighting, or most of current husbandry, things may have been stacked against them from the start.

I hope this helps out !
Janie

 

[northface75]

it does help, BUT, you didnt answer the core question lol, are they underweight?

Yes they are housed together currently but as soon as I get back home after I graduate (3 weeks from now), they are going to get separated for their own good. After everything I've read on here its not worth keeping them together.

And today I got my roaches! So they will have some new feeders here shortly. I do keep close monitor on their lighting and temperatures so that is correct. (Im going to the 10.0 from the 5.0 and soon as petmountain gets them back in stock, until then I'll take them outside when I can for natural UV)

 

[crypticdragons]

it does help, BUT, you didnt answer the core question lol, are they underweight?

Yes they are housed together currently but as soon as I get back home after I graduate (3 weeks from now), they are going to get separated for their own good. After everything I've read on here its not worth keeping them together.

And today I got my roaches! So they will have some new feeders here shortly. I do keep close monitor on their lighting and temperatures so that is correct. (Im going to the 10.0 from the 5.0 and soon as petmountain gets them back in stock, until then I'll take them outside when I can for natural UV)

Only way to know if they are "under weight" is to see a photo of them. It is body makeup that determines if they are under or over weight not length and age

 

[northface75]

Theres many various pictures of them in recent threads I've made as well

 

[northface75]

and no, they arent lethargic, they are very active and seem healthy

 

[crypticdragons]

Per the photographs their weight looks fine for their body size and type. No 2 dragons grow the same so you cant be worried cause someone elses dragon is 100 grams heavier at that age. If the base of the tail is nice a full (cant feel bones) and the fat stores in the tops of their heads are nice and filled out and they seem healthy then you are good.

 

[ladyknite]

Remember when you were in the 4th grade and the girl across the room was alot taller?
why is that? Because things grow at different rates.

It sounds like you're feeding them fine. The 5.0 isn't a horrible bulb, but the 10.0 is better. You'll have that soon. Just keep making sure they eat respectively (the same amount) and one is not dominant of the other.
We can judge weight better when they're adults.

 

[li]

I agree, everything/body grows at different rates or speeds. They look good in that pic, although they are in a tub and have expanded bodies.

How long are they?

 

[northface75]

I'll post the lengths in a bit, on campus now supposed to be working.

 

[li]

LOL!

 

[northface75]

okay! Well, I'm certainly leaning towards agreeing that they might have been getting bored with crix. I just gave them roaches for the first time. they were a bit hesitant at first, but man, once they had one, they just kept wanting more!! They loved them! I'm so happy about that, I'm pretty sure they would eat the whole box if they could. So, I re-weighed and measured, results:

Lyra: 206 grams, 13.5 inches
Leela: 218 grams, 14.5 inches

Leela is the dominant female

Thank you Janie for suggesting the roach guy!

 

[crypticdragons]

okay! Well, I'm certainly leaning towards agreeing that they might have been getting bored with crix. I just gave them roaches for the first time. they were a bit hesitant at first, but man, once they had one, they just kept wanting more!! They loved them! I'm so happy about that, I'm pretty sure they would eat the whole box if they could. So, I re-weighed and measured, results:

Lyra: 206 grams, 13.5 inches
Leela: 218 grams, 14.5 inches

Leela is the dominant female

Thank you Janie for suggesting the roach guy!

With those lengths their weight is spot on.

 

[li]

I definately wouldn't say you have some big girls. They are right within the "normal" lengths. As for the weights, I would say they are fine.

 

[northface75]

I have a feeling once they are separated, especially now that they have new exciting food, their appetite will grow, and so will they.

 

[zebraflavencs]

That possibility does exist, yes. Usually the length growth continues on, par my experience (limited to my own collection) 15 months. Past that, they most likely will put on girth and weight.
Janie