Reptile & Amphibian Forums

whats the best method for making sure the dragons are getting enough hydration, what if i need to leave them for a day or so. i already have a shallow re-filling water bowl, is that enough, or do they need to be misted and how often?, i know they get some water from their veggies but when their youn i find their not eating their veggies much, theyd much rather eat their crickets

I don't know if it's the best way, but I use a childs medicine syringe ( or dropper ) to offer water. I find that it's the best way for me to know my dragons are drinking.

I do this by putting a drop of water on the tip of their mouth and wait for them to start drinking. As they start drinking I put more drops on the tip of their mouth. I do this until they are done. Don't worry, you're dragon will let you know when it's done.

My dragons don't drink everytime I do this, which is at least once a day for older dragons and twice a day for hatchlings. Your dragon will let you know when it doesn't want any water by not drinking, turning it's head away or even shaking the water off.

Crickets also contain a lot of moisture in them. Just like us, they are mostly water. Don't be surprised if your bearded dragon eats a ton of crickets, but doesn't drink any water.

As for leaving for a day. Your dragon should be fine with a nice bowl of greens, vegetables, maybe some commercial bearded dragon food, and a bowl of water. If I leave for longer than a day, I have someone check up on my dragons ( usually my father ) and give them fresh food and water. I think this is even more important for young dragons that are growing rapidly.

I hope this helps answer your question.
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Eric Nelson
http://www.beardeddragonresource.com/

i would always have a water bowl with clean water available for your animals, and mist babies once a day. On top of that you can soak your dragons (once or twice a week) and it will not only provide water to drink but alot of lizard species will obsorb water through their cloaca.
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- Mike Fourquet

Cloaca Herpetoculture
www.CloacaHerps.com

I give George a needless syringe every other day and occasionally he drinks from it. Usually he drinks when I spray him (once daily) just by licking the water off his nose. I also spray his veggies at least once a day to keep them moist so he gets extra fluid when he eats them. I also gut load all feeder insects - so they have nutrients and moisture.

Hope this helps.

ok i think i got the idea of making sure their getting water,they always have a fresh water tower, im bathing them in cool yet warm water twice a week, my crickets get lots of veggies, so their probably giving off lots of moisture, im misting them occassionally which they seem to hate, and now ill try the water dropper trick. they seem to be doing ok, their going to the vet today for their first annual checkup.