Feed as many crickets as it will eat in a 5-10 min period. Offer crickets 2-3 times a day, morning afternoon and early evening (at least 2 hours before lights out).

I would also get yourself a 20-30 gallon long tank and set it up. Depending on how big your dragon is now, it won't take long to out grow a 10 gallon. Also, its hard to maintain a good temperature gradient in a 10 gallon. By the time you get the basking temperature up to the recommended range of 100-120G for babies, often the cool end is too warm for the cool end (around 75-85F during the day).

Right now your basking spot is on the low side..I think you listed it as being around 90F?

Go straight with small crickets for babies, they tend to respond to them better than mealworms...and mealworms do have a high shell to meat ratio..and tend cause impactions should husbandry conditions not be ideal.

Don't bother with Kale, its not a good green to give to dragons daily, much less alone. Good healthy greens that can be offered every day are dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens and others. Chop very fine and remove any large stems and veins (such as those found in Collard greens), this makes it easier for baby dragons to eat. Mist the green lightly too, which helps ensure your dragon gets enough moisture. Baby dragons also may not even eat greens, but good to keep a little in the cage all day long.

Crickets should not be longer than the space between the dragons eyes...so hatchling dragons typically need about quarter inch long crickets...or smaller. Pin head crickets can be offered but I find they are too small..and hard to transfer from container to cage etc without squishing or losing some.

Once a day dust the crickets with calcium powder with Vit D3 and no phosphorus. Also, fed the crickets well on a commercial bought cricket gut load, or just offer fresh greens (same as those recommended for dragons) crushed dry cat/dog food, fish flakes, chicken mash or similar. Feed the crickets on this about 12 hours before feeding to your dragon. This ensures they are well fed before you feed them to your dragon. Often store bought or even mail ordered crickets, run out of food or are just not fed once shipped, so they can loose all their nutritional value.

Ease up on the misting too...though it is good to hydrate your dragon, misting it too much can raise humidity in the cage too high, especially in a small tank like you have now. Well cut loaded crickets and fresh greens will ensure your dragon stays hydrated. If you are worried, use an eye dropper to drip water at the corner of your dragon's mouth...or drop it right at the tip of their snout (away from the nostrils, you don't want them to inhale the water).

Other good insects to offer your dragon are Phoenix worms. These are often eaten without problems and their soft bodies and high calcium content make them great for even every day feeding. The come in 100 count containers...and most pet stores should have them or be able to get them. Or you can mail order them.

If you find your dragon starts eating alot of crickets, ordering online may be a better option for you. If buying alot in bulk, you could buy a size too small and let the crickets grow up, or split with a friend who also has young dragons or other animal that likes small crickets.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

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