Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We bought a baby bearded dragon 3 days ago. It is only a couple of months old. It was very active when we visited in the store, prior to purchasing it, but since we brought it home,it has been very lethargic and isn't eating. We have been misting the cage to try to encourage it to at least drink some water. The pet store said not to try to handle it the first day. When we did not the second day, it looked like it was having a seizure, then went limp, for a minute.

It isn't moving around the cage at all, just lying on its rock. Any suggestions on what we should do. I'm starting to get worried.

We have two collared lizards, but this is our first experience with a bearded dragon.

Normally it is normal for a dragon to not move around much or eat much during their first week or two brought into a new home. However, the fact you mention twitching, lathargy etc as the symptons I am inclined to beleive something else is wrong.

WHat are your basking temps? Are you providing UVB light? Is he lathargic in the sense he won't move at all and isn't alert to his surroundings? Is he looking around with eyes open? Or looking like he is half asleep or actually asleep with eyes close? and not very responsive if touched or moved?

If non responsive and not showing any signs of alertness, I would take him to a vet right away. However, if your basking temps and/or cage temps are too low, or very high, it could be the cause of your dragon's unwillingness to be active.
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PHLdyPayne

Thanks for the information, but sadly, the little guy didn't make it. My son and I are heartbroken.

We were using the same setup that we used for our collared lizards. We had a heat light and a UVB light. The temperature at the bottom of the tank is around 90 degreee. We had a water dish in the tank and we misted the rocks a couple of times a day.

The pet store is going to replace him. If you have any other suggestions or do's and don'ts let us know.

to get quicker info read the caresheets on kingsnake and other various breeder pages. you can find great info on www.beautifuldragons.com

basking spot should be 110-115 for a baby or young dragon. the other end for a cool spot should be 75-50 degrees.

sorry for your loss, good luck with the next one.
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Beach Beardies

3.4.11 bearded dragons
1.0.0 Turquoise x Sunburst Veiled Chameleon
1.1.0 Sugar Gliders
0.1.0 Miss Queen Athena (Cat)

Thanks . . . We found the care sheet.

Our new baby is doing much better. He is eating and running around. We have increased the temperature so that is over 100 on his basking rock.