Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just brought home my new 6 month old beardie. I have a rankins that doesn't eat very well, so I expected to go through a short acclimation period with the new one. I couldn't have been more wrong. She ate the moment she got home and won't stop. It's such a nice change after the stress of the other one. So, here are my questions.. How many crickets should she get with each feeding? I've heard as many as they can eat in 10 minutes but she eats a dozen in 5 seconds. I wouldn't be able to keep enough crickets on hand if I did the 10 minute thing. Also, I'm struggling with what substrate to use. There are so many opinions. Anything loose worries me, so I'm using reptile carpet or non-adhesive shelf liner. Thoughts on that? And my last question is about supplements. I have 2 different supplements - calcium and vitamins. How many times a week should I supplement with each of those? There's so much conflicting info out there and I'm not really sure what's right. Thanks for the help!

It would help if you posted how big she was. Anyway, I would feed her as many crickets as she will eat in 1/2 hour. That may mean you need to buy in bulk. I use reptile carpet for dragons under 12" and then I use playsand. Calcium w/D3 should have no Phosphorus or Vitamin A and crickets for babies and Juveniles should be dusted every meal except for one per week that should be dusted with a multivitamin.

Hi. Thanks for the info. She's about 14".

How many times a day should I feed her insects and should I do that for a half hour each time? Also, do I dust w/ calcium each time I feed her or just once a day except for the vitamin day? Should I dust the vegetables or the insects with vitamins?

I know you all have probably answered these questions hundreds of times. Thanks so much for the help.

I'd feed her bugs twice a day dusted with the calcium both times except for the one time a week you dust with the vitamin. I always do a 1/2 hour but others will say you can do it for 10 or 15 mins. The bottom line is you feed her till she is full and doesn't want any more. There is no need to dust the salad.

Here is a good source for greens and vegs.

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

I have seen this dragon eat. I recommend a whole chicken in the morning, then another at night. If she finishes the evening chicken within 20 minutes or so, she can have pie. Dust the pie with vitamins.
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0.1 Lampropeltis Getula Floridana
1.0 Elaphe Guttata Slowinskii

LOL (EddieF's my husband) He speaks the truth. But seriously, if this dragon eats 50 crickets in a half hour is that what I should feed her? This morning while I was pouring the crickets into her cage, she jumped into the cup and ate them all. Much easier that way because they didn't have a chance to get under the reptile carpet. But is there no limit? I don't want to end up with an obese dragon.

theres no limit on feeding crickets when it comes to babies or younger dragons. its not actually easy to get an overweight dragon, and when you do its not from feeding too many crickets it usually people feed them too many high fat foods and treats
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Beach Beardies

2.2. bearded dragons
1.1. Sugar Gliders
0.2. Felines *queen athena and missy*

Ok. I just ordered 500 crickets so I should be set (for a couple days anyway). Thanks for the help!

Yes there's no limit. A 14" dragon Hmmmm. I'd be buying at least 1/2" crickets if you are very conservative. 5/8" would be fine if your supplier sells them (mine doesn't). At her size even 3/4" should be fine the only thing to consider is that if you buy 3/4" in a week or so they will be full size which may be too big. At 16" you can figure no restiction on the size of the crickets.

You should buy a weight scale and weigh your dragon regularly. It really is the best health and information tool.

You mentioned the crickets going under the reptile carpet. When I use reptile carpet I tape the edges with masking tape so they can't get under. Just too much hastle to pick up the carpet each feeding to capture the hiders.

Thanks for the tape tip. I will definitely do that because the hiders really are a pain. So, what kind of scale should I get and where can I find one. I looked online last night but some are really expensive and the scales for small pets seemed to only weigh in pounds and not grams.

I get mine from Reptilebasics.com. They are "My Weigh 7001DX" and cost $39. I have known Rich the owner for a while and he gets my highest recommendation.

I'll definitely get one. Thanks for all your help.