Worried About Randall

[SundaeBest]

Im a little worried here.

Randall originally started with a healthy appetite, 10-15 crickets a day. But since I had that whole Petco debacle with the lady there, who told me to feed him wax worms, he's been acting weird.

Yesterday he had 2 waxworms and a cricket. I was originally concerned he was not hungry for more crickets, but he seemed more interested in running away from me than eating the crickets. I left them in the viv and left the room, to see if he would eat without my presence. But when I came back 2.5 hours later, crickets still there and he was just basking him. I misted him, and he didn't drink.

Today, I misted him in the morning, and he didn't drink. I tried to feed him crickets again, he had one out of my hand, then completely ignored the rest. Instead he seems very afraid of me. He was skittish before, but now he wants NOTHING to do around me, which is fine, I just wish he would eat/drink before he gets sick. I tried bathing him yesterday in the morning (before the waxworms) he drank a little bit and then ran out of his pool. Today, I tried bathing him again, and he seemed so scared, I just let the poor guy be.

So are the worms THAT filling that he would not be hungry yesterday and today? He seems a little bit smaller than usual, but he is just as active and alert as ever. He spends all day on his log, staring at me. He's doing right now as I type.

*crosses fingers*

 

[SundaeBest]

Just misted again, he drank a little. Will retry crickets in a while, see how that goes.

 

[renich]

I would stop the wax worms. Once per week as a TREAT is OK.

Is he pooping regularly?

Couple of other questions that can cause issues in appetite -
1. What UV light are you using?
2. What are your temps (cool/hot)?
3. What are you using to measure your temps?
4. What substrate do you have?

 

[SundaeBest]

He is pooping about once a day that I can tell...cleaned out his poop this morning, and there's a fresh one by his veggie bowl.

I was given "Zilla : Dessert Blend" substrate which is supposed to be specifically made for bearded dragons. I didn't know anything about beardies before he was gifted to me, had I been able to do the research ahead of time, I would have opted for a tile like floor. But I don't think the substrate is an issue, since that is how they are kept in just about every petshop I've been too.

The ambient temp in the tank is around 85-90 during the day, right now it is about 82ish (10pm).

Under his basking area, it's slightly over 95.

I have a 150 watt basking bulb, and I have a UV bulb, that my sister bought, but I don't remember the brand, because they threw out the box.

Couple issues with heating though...

I cannot get the temp over 100 no matter what I tried. They sold me really crappy bulb clamps, which I could not return (since they were a present, and my sister's tore up the boxes). I then had to buy a DOME type, so that the lighting would not be at an angle and therefore provide a better heat source. They had originally sold me a 100 watt basking bulb (which is now useless), because it wasn't providing much heat, so I had to buy a 150 watt bulb. I also bought a heating pad which is placed properly and working fine. My 40gal viv is not near a window, and is in my room which is not drafty. I don't understand why I cant get the temperature higher, since everyone tells me it should be up there by now.

I do know that my temperature gauge says it's 94ish in the basking area at this time, but I'm sure it's a little warmer on his basking log since it's directly under, and the log is warmed by the reflecting light. I don't think it is a lighting issue though, since he seems pretty active when i'm around, at this moment he is hitting the glass trying to come at me, which is pretty funny. He simply will not take his eyes off me even though there are 2 crickets right under him. I really think he is just spooked. I was able to get him to eat 2 crickets, by placing them in the tank and scarring them his way with my finger, but when I got too close he decided he wasn't eating anymore, and just gonna camp out on the other end of the viv.

Long story, the gist:

- Temps are not ideal, but from what I've read/ppl I've talked to, it's not necessarily bad, since they are pretty close to normal and it's the wintertime here.
- He IS eating sporadically, which tells me he does have an appetite, but maybe he's just spooked of me.
- He drank some earlier today, and I'm gonna mist him in a bit again.
- Pooping about once a day (not sure if that's regular).
- Very active and alert, does not seem lethargic/sick/dehydrated at all.
- Just noticed tail looks duller than the rest of his coat...maybe cause he just shed a couple nights ago, or maybe he is getting ready to shed again (maybe that has something to do with it)?
- As for the worms, I threw them out, since most of them seemed dead, and I didn't want to risk illness. He only ate two. Maybe they were too big for him to digest, and he'll be fine once they've passed through him? I hadn't read the rule of thumb (not longer than the distance between his eyes), they were about 1.5 times the distance, but the so called "reptile expert" at the shop who pushed me to buy them, and told me they should be an every-other-day food source told me it was fine, knowing how big my beardie was. I got half a mind to go over there and complain to her manager.

 

[egg 80]

personnally i would say leave him be for a while, have you been picking him up alot since the day you got him if so be wary if you do this to much as this is a new place and has to get used to everything going on where he is and haneling him to much can cause stress and be real harmful and also can be fatal to the little fella i dont want to alarm you too much just a warning, as for the wax worms (do you smoke ) if you do you will realise how addictive they are this is what waxworms are like to beardies they get addictive and cause the beardie to go off their other food, a cricket and a waxworm infront of a beardie is the same as putting a cellary and chocolate infront of you which would you choose

 

[punksrnotded]

Hi, I'm just invading...

My Beardie runs away and looks like he's gonna attack me when I put my hand in with a black sleeve or glove on.

So .. maybe it's colors you're wearing.

Just an idea. I've stopped that now.
Have you tried changing his set up around?
My dragon was acting weird, and not eating anything until I changed his area around. Now he's eating like crazy.

 

[renich]

Yes, they sell beardie sand. And yes, there are success stories with healthy beardies living on it. I've used sand in the past, but I didn't use it until Bernie was over 1 year. You have to replace it often and ensure you pick up the poo right away. Bacteria can harbor, which will lead to a sick beardie.

To raise your temps, try a Heat Emitter. For babies, basking areas should be between 105-110F. Cool side 85F. Night temps not below 65F.

See if you can read the make and model on the UV lamp. It is very important. Beardies need a high level of UV to produce vitamin D for digestion purposes. There are known issues with various ones out there. If you go to the manufacturers web site, they list their UV bulbs and which reptile it was designed for.

 

[SundaeBest]

I haven't really handled him. Once I realized he was scared of me, I stopped trying. At least till he is more at home.
- The time he was MOST scared of me was when I tried to go in there with a blue sweater sleeve, so I guess I'll have to be weary of that.
- I left in about 5 crickets last night, (I know I'm supposed to take them out to avoid stress), but I was really worried he didn't eat...and they're gone this morning, so I'm hopeful that everything will be back to normal.
- I also misted him just earlier, and he drank a bit.
- P.s. Great analogy with the chocolate/celery stick

- Thanks for all the patience and great advice guys, I am such a novice

I'll post an update later today.

 

[egg 80]

try hand feeding some greens show him your not a predator before you know it he will be comin to you my female was the same now i put my hand in shes up my arm and sittin on my shoulder weird little critters

 

[renich]

Don't give up trying to bond with him. He's been through a lot and if you are a predator, he needs to have his guard up. When you go to lift him, lower your hand in front of him slowly. Let your hand rest on the floor right in front of his head. Pet/scratch his chin with your finger. Gradually move your hand under him, starting with his head and then under his belly. This technique has been known not to startle beardies when you go to pick them up.

In due time, you'll be cuddling and he'll be falling asleep on you.

Were you able to look for the UV make?

 

[renich]

How's Randall doing?

 

[SundaeBest]

*Update*

Sorry for the suspense guys, busy weekend, with playoff football and all

Randal seems to be doing fine now. He is eating healthily again. Still active/alert/skittish of me. But I DID manage to feed him straight out of my hand yesterday. He is also drinking regularly, through misting. It looks like maybe the mealworms were just very filling for him.

Thanks everyone for the feedback/help, I hope to remain an active contributor to this board, just hopefully not on this thread. *crosses fingers*

 

[egg 80]

im glad hes doin fine its horrible when you think they are ill

 

[renich]

Great news! Glad he came around. I'd stay away from the mealworms. Horrible for them to digest and they don't add much nutritional value.

 

[SundaeBest]

Little bit of confusion here. I've read here and in other places that mealworms aren't a good for your beardie. However, the caresheet that people keep posting, suggests mealworms.

Since I don't want to risk it with the mealworms, I am wondering what other types of worms are safe? Maybe silkworms? Keep in mind, Randall is still a little guy.

Thanks in advance.

 

[renich]

I tend to use the side of caution and would stay away from mealworms. Their outer shell is tough, especially for babies and can be difficult for a bearded dragon to break down. Thus, causing impaction. Also, mealworms do not offer any nutritional value.

For a little guy, I would stick to small crickets or dubia roaches. Once he is bigger, you can try silkworms, phoenix worms, wax worms (as a treat!).

 

[egg 80]

i agree with renee with this as these meal worms are the larve of a beetle the outter part of the worm is quite tough and hard to digest i only ever give my beardies these as a treat when we playin on the floor i use them to get them to run back and thro accross the floor its quite funny to watch