Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We purchased two beardies about two weeks ago. They are currently about 7" long, and VORACIOUS eaters. (That isn't unusual though, is it?) Since they eat 15-20 small crickets a day, I was wondering, does the "food size limit" that says feeders shouldn't be larger than the space between their eyes refer to the width of the feeder animal?

My next question is in regards to greens. Trying to be a good "mommy", I have offered a large variety of greens, everything from endive, mustard greens, escarole, red leaf, green leaf, collard greens, etc. The only time the babies will eat any lettuce is when I offer romaine. They won't eat broccoli, carrots, grapes, banana, or anything else. Any suggestions? Should I just offer romaine for a while, and occasionally offer other greens?

Also in the name of variety, what other types of protein can I offer? Are butterworms okay? Small silk worms? Red wrigglers? Some sites (such as this one) say mealworms are okay, but others say the chitin in their shell will impact them. Has anyone had problems with mealworms? When they get larger, are Superworms okay? (Ugh!)

I understand I should be misting them a couple of times a day. How large do they need to be before they receive enough water in their veggies? (Assuming they eat the veggies, of course!)

Thank you in advance for any light you can shed on these questions. My family and I just love these babies! They are truely the best lizards we have ever owned!

Diana

Hello Diana ~

I'll try to answer some of your questions....

>>"We purchased two beardies about two weeks ago. They are currently about 7" long, and VORACIOUS eaters. (That isn't unusual though, is it?) Since they eat 15-20 small crickets a day, I was wondering, does the "food size limit" that says feeders shouldn't be larger than the space between their eyes refer to the width of the feeder animal?" >"My next question is in regards to greens. Trying to be a good "mommy", I have offered a large variety of greens, everything from endive, mustard greens, escarole, red leaf, green leaf, collard greens, etc. The only time the babies will eat any lettuce is when I offer romaine. They won't eat broccoli, carrots, grapes, banana, or anything else. Any suggestions? Should I just offer romaine for a while, and occasionally offer other greens?">"Also in the name of variety, what other types of protein can I offer? Are butterworms okay? Small silk worms? Red wrigglers? Some sites (such as this one) say mealworms are okay, but others say the chitin in their shell will impact them. Has anyone had problems with mealworms? When they get larger, are Superworms okay? (Ugh!)">"I understand I should be misting them a couple of times a day. How large do they need to be before they receive enough water in their veggies? (Assuming they eat the veggies, of course!)
Beautiful Dragons

We purchased two beardies about two weeks ago. They are currently about 7" long, and VORACIOUS eaters. (That isn't unusual though, is it?) Since they eat 15-20 small crickets a day, I was wondering, does the "food size limit" that says feeders shouldn't be larger than the space between their eyes refer to the width of the feeder animal?

-congrats on the new beardies. Let them eat as much as they want within 10 minuites. at this age they should be fed 3 times daily, 2 will be fine though. I would imagine that the width of the feeder shouldnt be larger then the width either, that would be a rather large thing to swallow, what feeder are you asking about anyhow?

My next question is in regards to greens. Trying to be a good "mommy", I have offered a large variety of greens, everything from endive, mustard greens, escarole, red leaf, green leaf, collard greens, etc. The only time the babies will eat any lettuce is when I offer romaine. They won't eat broccoli, carrots, grapes, banana, or anything else. Any suggestions? Should I just offer romaine for a while, and occasionally offer other greens?

-keep offering the best greens you can, they will come around, right now them eating their greens isnt all too important but it is a plus if they wil eat them, keep offering them every single day, i know it can be a waste but once they start munchin those greens in front of you it will all be worth it fruit can be given as treats, things like raspberries, blueberrys, melon, strawberries but shouldnt be a daily thing.

Also in the name of variety, what other types of protein can I offer? Are butterworms okay? Small silk worms? Red wrigglers?

-a couple butters every other day is excellent, my guys eat them from babies to adults, i also feed out silkworms as the main protein around here, they are by far the best feeder in my opinion although a bit more pricey then crix and a bit harder to keep.

Some sites (such as this one) say mealworms are okay, but others say the chitin in their shell will impact them. Has anyone had problems with mealworms? When they get larger, are Superworms okay? (Ugh!)

-stay away from mealies, supers can be fed when they are older, they have a thinner chitin then mealies and therefore are much more diegestable

I understand I should be misting them a couple of times a day. How large do they need to be before they receive enough water in their veggies? (Assuming they eat the veggies, of course!)

-even when eating veggies i still bathe 2 times a week, i find it keeps their bodies clean and their scales in good condition also it gives them the oportunity to drink if they need to. I have a small childs pool i fill with water outside in the morning, the pool water warms up by noon and they just love bathing out in the sunshine.

Thank you in advance for any light you can shed on these questions. My family and I just love these babies! They are truely the best lizards we have ever owned!

Diana

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reiko
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I'm mostly feeding crickets at this point. If the crickets are narrower than the space between the beardie's heads, are they okay? I realize smaller are better, but from an economic point of view, I would like to have them as large as I can to feed the babies. I am gut loading and making sure there is plenty of water with the crickets.

the length of the feeder should be no longer then the space between the eyes, it has to be the length, not the width, a cricket with the width of a body as large as the space between a babies eyes is much too large. Youll save money in the long run as you wont be paying for vet bills with the little guys are impacted with too large of crickets. Feeding the correct size feeders is one of the most important things with babies, large feeders can cause neurological damage, paralysis and even death.
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reiko
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