Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi, i bought a baby bearded dragon on saturday, it is about 5/6inches long including tail. since i've got it home, i have found that it is not eating - i know that moving into a new home would be very stressful, but i wondered how long i should wait before getting worried. the temp is approx 90f, and it has a full spectrum high percentage uva/b bulb, thanks, Pam

bearded dragons need a basking spot of 100-110 degrees. temps vary depending on who you ask but most say about 110. babies need about 105-110 for a basking spot, and cooler through the rest of the tank. the coolest side of the cage shouldnt go below 75. as for your dragon not eating, it may be because of the temps, it may be because of stress and getting used to being in a new home. just keep trying and if he doesnt eat soon then id be a bit worried and get him to a vet or back to where you got him from. try various foods between crickets and different salad fixings or fruits. make sure the food is small enough for him to eat too.

Deffinitely get the basking spot up, use a digital thermometer with probe or temp gun, instead of the dial stuck up or strip thermometers offered at petstores. The basking spot or spots should offer a few temperatures falling within the 95-115F range. This way the dragon can go to a hotter area of the basking spot or cooler areas, according to what it needs. *note that higher basking spots are sought for warming up in the morning and after eating*

It can take up to a week or two before dragons get settled into their new home. Make sure it is well hydrated, either by a daily bath in luke warm water or misting the dragon 2-3 times a day, especially in the morning and early evening (before lights out).

Offer appropriate sized crickets, a few at a time (or in a slope sided bowl the dragon can't tip over, can reach in easily and the crickets can't crawl out). Offering some mixed salad is good to, though this isn't likely to be eaten right away. Offer insects 2-3 times a day and keep greens available all day long. Don't worry if he doesn't wat much or at all in the first couple days, just keep him hydrated. Tasty foods like fruit, dandelion flowers (chopped), a bit of gateraid mixed in the water, will help encourage him to eat.

When not feeding, misting or bathing your new dragon, leave him alone. Don't try and pick him up and hold him at this point. Excess handling will do more harm than good. After he has settled into his new home and eating regularly, then start getting him acclimated to being handled.
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PHLdyPayne

Dont forget to dust the crix with vitamin or calcium powder aswell when heh starts eating. Also you can try geting him to eat some beardie pellets. Mix them in with the greens in the morning and spray them generously with water to moisten them up. That will help get some liquids in your beardie as well if he is eating them. Dont be to worried about him not eating tho. Mine didnt really eat for the first 2 1/2 days but is now doing awesome!

Good luck and im sure he will come around soon!
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

cheers everyone for your advice, it started eating yesterday, managed to feed 2 crickets dusted with calcium powder, and has had a couple more today, also a small nibble at some greens. thanks again x

glad to hear he/she is eating now. just make sure you get that basking spot temp raised to 105-115. you can provide more than one basking spot if you wish. and also provide a spot for he/she too cool off too, but dont let it drop below 75. good luck! Judson @ BeachBeardies