Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just picked up 2 juvy dragons 2.5inches s2v and they do not seem to have much of an appetite, I have only observed one eating a cricket, fresh greens are provided twice daily along with a spoonful of pellets soaked in apple juice. The little guys are housed in a 50 gallon acrylic aquarium ( 34x17 inches) with a paper substrate. An 11x17 heating pad is under a corner of the tank keeping that area at around 90 degrees, a large smooth rock in the center of the tank is under a light and reaches around 100-102 degrees there is also some driftwood in the cooler area. I have offered crickets a dozen at a time twice and left them in the tank all day, as I only found nine and ten after the day they may have been eaten or may be in the driftwood cracks (they are 1/4 inch). I had beardeds 12 or so years ago and I do not remember them being so slow to start. I picked up a tube of jump start jelly stuff and put a dollop on the "lips" of the one I suspect has not eaten at all, he licked it off and I repeated several times, they also have had a soak in warm water. I have had them for 48 hours, aside from the fecal exam at the vet (a vet friend will do this saturday) what more can I try? Are the little ones slow to adjust to new surroundings or should they be eating like little pigs by now? They look healthy and I will post a couple of pics later...thank you.

it can take them time to get settled into a new home. Get your basking site to at least 105-115, bet that will help them also,. i would get rid of the UTH, you dont need it, the hot side of the tank should be 105-115 (basking site) and the cool side 80-85 you might also try taking them one at a time and feeding them in a seperate smaller enclosure, this might make it easier for them to catch the crickets and if one is intimidating the other this will give that one a chance to eat. How old are the dragons? what sex? make sure the enclosure is nice and bright for them.

>>I just picked up 2 juvy dragons 2.5inches s2v and they do not seem to have much of an appetite, I have only observed one eating a cricket, fresh greens are provided twice daily along with a spoonful of pellets soaked in apple juice. The little guys are housed in a 50 gallon acrylic aquarium ( 34x17 inches) with a paper substrate. An 11x17 heating pad is under a corner of the tank keeping that area at around 90 degrees, a large smooth rock in the center of the tank is under a light and reaches around 100-102 degrees there is also some driftwood in the cooler area. I have offered crickets a dozen at a time twice and left them in the tank all day, as I only found nine and ten after the day they may have been eaten or may be in the driftwood cracks (they are 1/4 inch). I had beardeds 12 or so years ago and I do not remember them being so slow to start. I picked up a tube of jump start jelly stuff and put a dollop on the "lips" of the one I suspect has not eaten at all, he licked it off and I repeated several times, they also have had a soak in warm water. I have had them for 48 hours, aside from the fecal exam at the vet (a vet friend will do this saturday) what more can I try? Are the little ones slow to adjust to new surroundings or should they be eating like little pigs by now? They look healthy and I will post a couple of pics later...thank you.
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reiko
photos

I put a thicker carpet in the bottom (because I had it, I may go back to paper) and a taller rock that lets them get up to 110 degrees on the top, here is a picture, the smaller one has some of the jump start on his lips, they are a male and femal about 6 weeks old and 2.5 inches s2v length.
a link to the photo if it does not embed.

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yup i would definatly get that temp up and also make sure that they are kept well hydrated, at this age its very important, misting a couple times daily or offering water via dropper is also a good idea. I would get some fecals into your vet also to rule out parasites. Also being that they are male and female youll need to have a seperate enclosure for them once they get a little further on in age as the male will try and breed the female far before she will be ready. If they continue not to eat you can use baby parrot forumla mixed with pedialyte, i have used it with several babies with really great results, you can buy the formula at your local petco or petsmart, and the pedialyte at the supermarket. Do try and feed them one at a time in seperate enclosures and see if that helps, you can also try and put the crickets in the freezer for 30 seconds before you feed them out, it tends to slow them down and make it easier for the babies to catch them. Make sure you are using a good calcium w/d3 supplement daily as well as a multivitamin once weekly if you do get them to eat...
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reiko
photos