Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is a pic I took yesterday. He was purchased at a reptile show on Sunday (7/27). I have gotten him to drink. I don't know very much about sizes and ages of BD. Can someone venture to guess an age. I am thinking he is only a few days old. I am going to try some wingless fruitflies today.

Thanks in advance
Tiffany

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Be well
Tiff =)

I have him by himself in a 2 1/2 gallon tank. His basking spot is about 86 and the cool end is 79. I turn the light off at night and the cage temp in 72.
Thanks!!
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Be well
Tiff =)

His basking spot is about 86 and the cool end is 79. I turn the light off at night and the cage temp in 72.
>>Thanks!!
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>>Be well
>>Tiff =)

Ok, first of all increase that basking temp. They need and like it around 105. You are going to have to put him in a bigger tank, I would suggest a 10 gallon so that you can get the needed temperature gradient.

If he still refuses to eat, I would try some baby food mixed with children's pedialite (Not sure on spelling) mix it and use a syringe (no needle) or eye dropper and put a drop on the end of his nose, he will lick it off, put another drop on his nose... do this over and over until he doesn't want any more. Do this a few times a day. Try the crickets and greens again after you have adjusted the temps.

Hope it helps
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www.BeginnersBasics.com

The basking spot needs to be alot higher than that, over 100, for him to digest food properly. They also need UVB light or natural sunlight (not filtered through a glass window). That can stimulate appetite, too. He seems VERY small.
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1.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 corn snake
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish
1.2 cats
3.1 kids
1.0 husband

He needs AT LEAST 95-100F to digest any food he may decide to eat. His basking area should also be at least 105-110F. A digital indoor/outdoor thermometer with a probe will give you accurate temps; they're around $10 @ Walmart. Make sure it's set on Outside Temp.
A 2 1/2 gallon tank is not going to give you the temperature range he requires between the warm & cool sides. I've kept my babies in 20 & 30 gallon tanks, but only for the first few mths. A MINIMUM of a 40 gallon breeder tank is generally recommended for 1 adult, but bigger is better.
Good luck & keep us updated!

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God Bless, Beardie Dreams, & Peace!
Pogoniacs™

I have the light about 4 inches above the cage, I thought that 100 may be too warm for the little guy, I will move it closer. I have a digital IR therm, I got a radio shack ( I love it) Thank you so much for the info.

TIff
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Be well
Tiff =)

>>I have the light about 4 inches above the cage, I thought that 100 may be too warm for the little guy, I will move it closer.

Thats fine, but get a BIGGER cage!
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www.BeginnersBasics.com

2 1/2 gallon tank?
I start my babies off in a 30 gallon, moving up to a 120 gallon.
You NEED to get a larger tank.
That's waaaaaaay too small.
I do know that dragons wont' grow at a proper rate when in a confined space.

Just a heads up!

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Lindsay//
::Beardeddragons.ca::
lindsay@beardeddragons.ca

He has a 20 gallon at the pet shop, I just brought him home to get him some extra TLC and get him to eat and drink. He ate today!! He ate some fruit flies and tiny bit of strawberry!!! Yeh. He will be going to the shop next week. I just wanted him to have a fair shot, so I brought him home for a few days to give him some one on one care. I have an extra 40 breeder if I were to keep him.
Thank you so much for your help and rest assured he will be in a way bigger tank next week.

Thanks again
Tiff
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Be well
Tiff =)

That looks like a hatchling or a dragon only a few days old. Deffinitely get him the warmer temperatures and make sure he isn't fed any insects bigger than 1/4" (or space between his eyes, whichever is smaller). He should be fed 2 to 3 times a day, given as many crickets he can eat in about 10-15 minutes. He should also be misted several times a day to prevent dehydration and help with shedding (mostly dehydration as these little guys can dehydrate quickly). Don't put him on any partical substrate (ie calci sand, reptile sand, bark, etc). Put him on papertowel or newsprint till he is older.

Thank you!! I have lowered the light and his basking spot is 97 and the other side of the cage is 82. I mist him a bunch of times during the day and he started eating fruit flies today (yeh!!!) I caught him drinking also!! I really appreciate all your advise.

Tiffany
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Be well
Tiff =)

Didn't the breeder tell you how old he is? Did they atleast give you some contact information?

It is very hard to tell how old he is, because sometimes you just get a small baby in every clutch. I have one here right now that is 6 weeks old like her cluctch mates, but looks the size of an average 2 or 3 week old.

What have you tried getting him to eat so far? Small crickets? greens?
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www.BeginnersBasics.com

I have tried green and sm crickets.
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Be well
Tiff =)

I excited that you got a beardie, however, that baby is FARRR too young to be sold!
I'm shocked.
That baby, my guess is about a week old, if not, two weeks old.

I'm attaching a picture that I took a few minutes after hatching. Just to give you an idea of size and age.

I have a personal rule. No selling until the baby is at LEAST 3 months old, And i know quite a few other breeders who faithfully live by this mortal rule.

I would love to know who sold that baby to you. That really upsets me. Sorry, just venting here!

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Lindsay//
::Beardeddragons.ca::
lindsay@beardeddragons.ca

I am not sure, but I can find out. I work for a very small pet store. We went to the a reptile show this weekend and a group of Baby bearies were purchased. WHen we got to the store to get them settled, we found this little guy. I took him home to give him the extra attention that he seemed to need. The others are much bigger and eating very well. He seemed way to tiny to be sold, but we did not notice until we got home.

Tiff
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Be well
Tiff =)

>>
>>I would love to know who sold that baby to you. That really upsets me. Sorry, just venting here!
>>
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>>Lindsay//
>>::Beardeddragons.ca::
>>lindsay@beardeddragons.ca

I agree. It does look young. I have a rule myself that I don't sell any babies less than 6 weeks old or 6" STL. I also guarantee them all to be healthy and eating before they leave here!
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www.BeginnersBasics.com

Don't apologize for being upset, I am new to the herp shows. Now I know what to look for. I am glad that I was able to take him home for a week or so to get him going. Do you think we should keep him for a month or so before sending him back to the pet store?
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Be well
Tiff =)

if he's that much smaller than the others, its probably safest to keep him away from the others or he might get picked on, which i believe also causes them not to eat
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proud mama to:
1.0.0 ball python
0.0.1 albino florida kingsnake
1.0.0 leopard gecko
0.1.0 colombian rainbow boa
0.1.0 bearded dragon
1.1.0 colombian redtailed boas (on the way!)

Thank you! I think that I will keep him for a while longer. He pooped today!!! Yeh!!

Thanks again
Tiff
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Be well
Tiff =)