Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have a new beardie, and he/she is not eating... he/she is 3-4 months old and has been in his/hers (blow it...'its') vavarium for a couple of weeks, according to a local and expericenced breeder the layout of its living conditions are ideal, temp, space, lights etc but still its only eating 3-6 crickts daily, it's pooing fine and is fairly active during the day, though seems to cling to the greenery a lot. it has was shedding up to a week ago but now seems to have stopped. Any Ideas to why its not eating that much would be greatly recieved. Many thanks.

What size of insects are you offering? How many times do you offer food? Have you taken the dragon to a vet or brought in a poop sample for a fecal? How are you measuring temps? Digital thermometer or stick on the side of the tank thernometer? How often do you take it out of the cage? Are you using a quality UVB bulb? Is the dragon alone in the cage or any dragons within line of sight of the new dragon?
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PHLdyPayne

What size of insects are you offering? = NO Bigger than between the eyes. How many times do you offer food? = Twice daily. Have you taken the dragon to a vet or brought in a poop sample for a fecal? = Nop. How are you measuring temps? Digital thermometer or stick on the side of the tank thernometer? = Two stick on side of tank, one at each end. How often do you take it out of the cage? = Never, only been with me for 2 weeks and is very shy and nervous. Are you using a quality UVB bulb? Not sure.. lots of people recommended it and its brand new. Is the dragon alone in the cage or any dragons within line of sight of the new dragon? = alone, though was with 2 others until i got him. there is a dog in the same room as him but he is more or less above the dogs eye level. (doesnt bark or seem at all interested in Beardie)

The stick on thermometers are not accurate.They can be off as much as 20 degrees. You must check the basking spot (110 to 115 degrees) and the cool end (75 to 80 degrees) with a "digital" thermometer. If pet store employees told you your set up is ideal they are quite often wrong most of the time so I would double check the care information they gave you. Your dragon should be in a cage that is at least 36 inches long and 12 inches wide right now but will soon grow out of that one too. Minimum floor space for an adult dragon is four feet (longer is better then more square. The larger teh cage the better!
If you are using a florecent UVB (it must say UVB on the box and should be at least a 10.0 bulb)light bulb. Your dragon must get within 6 inches to benefit from its rays. Mercury vapor bulbs like the Power Sun again will say UVB on the box. Your dragon can use those as a heat source and for UVB.
What type of substrate do you use?

Hope this helps