Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It was a youngster still only about 6-7 inches head to tip of tail. I was using calci sand but I switched now. He was very skinny at the end with the tip of his tail bent and his eyes would stay squinted. He would also keep barfing sand out of his mouth. He was the largest of my bd's and ate the most and looked the fattest and healthiest for a long time until this happened. Was it impaction from calci sand or could it have been because I just switched to larger crickets right when it happened? I know It was stupid but I gave him crickets bigger than his head. Let me know what you think, I disected him and found no sand blockage really... I'm a little confused.

well from the info you have, you answered your own questions. it could have been compaction from the sand, as you said he was vomiting sand, and squinted eyes say he had sand in his eyes. the other problem is feeding the bigger crickets. this is why on 100% of caresheets they say do NOT feed crickets bigger than the space between your dragons eyes. there is a reason for that
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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)

and im positive when i say this but havent you read in many care sheet that young dragons eat sand thats why ur soposto wait ill their at least 14 to 15 inches or more even then the dragon can eat sand and the criket thing what is wrong with you if you already knew not to feed him crix biger than his head then why did you do it WHY well sryy for your loss but now you know well hope your other dragons are better

I'm sorry, but I live out in the country where there is only one pet store near by and they only had large crickets in for a long time and I was fresh out of small and the guy said they could handle them by chewing. I wont do that again I guess I'll have to feed them only veggies and pellets when I can't get the crix. Sry I didn't try to kill it.

no one thinks you tried to kill it on purpose...dont pay attention to that orlando person, ive read alot of his posts and hes got an attitude problem.

instead of getting crickets from a pet store, order offline. youll save money and get better quality crickets. ghann.com is were i order from.
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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)

the cause of the little dragon's death could be a factor of many things, the calci sand, too large crickets, poor genetics or it may not have been in good health when purchased.

Something I have done in the past when I couldn't get small crickets for my bearded dragon (when I had one that is), was cut the crickets in half. Not a fun thing to do but I find my dragon would eat the halfs just as quickly as the whole cricket. (cut adult crickets inhalf, which makes them about half an inch which could be still too big for very small babies. You can also just use the stomach end of the cricket and throw out the top end, if half an inch or so is still too big. The tail end is softer and more easier to digest than the top end where all the legs and head is. The top end also has more exoskeleton too. Oh and when the cricket is cut in half, toss out the wings (the fall off anyway as they are attacked near the back of the head anyway). Another note, the male adult crickets are smaller than the females...you can tell them apart as they will lack the central long black 'spine' coming off the back end. This is the ovapositor, what the female uses to lay her eggs.
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PHLdyPayne

"I'll have to feed them only veggies and pellets when I can't get the crix."

Why? There are hundreds of companies that deliver feeders to your house. Crickets can be ordered in any size you specify. Phonix worms can thrive for weeks at room temperature in a little cup with no care. With a large plastic bin and a little effort, silkworms can be reared with none of the noise/smell/escapes that make cricket care troublesome--and those worms pose litte risk of impaction, regardless of size. All of these can be at your door within a matter of days.

http://www.premiumcrickets.com/
http://www.mulberryfarms.com/

Hi
calsi sand can cause impaction.
its not good for beardies.
sorry for youre lose.
byeeeeeee