Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm back with another problem with this little fella. I've attempted to give carrot (at the advice of a local petshop rep), romaine lettuce, spring greens, apples, grapes and melon to this little guy and he just won't eat anything but crickets. I've tried to force feed the greens to him before and the apple but he just shook his head and spit it out. Any suggestions on what he may eat other than crickets? He doesn't like worms (dead or alive) and I'd like to be able to give him something different to spruce up his diet. Thanks.

Don't Worry mine never did either when she was a baby. When they are young they eat a lot of meat, per say. When they get older they will eat more veggies then crickets. Just remember that vitamins are important, especially calcium. You also need D3 so the calcium adheres to the bones. Try not to over to the vitamins either because they can get deposits.

Good luck 8).

Keep feeding the crickets...It's not a problem, most young dragons won't eat veggies. Start by introducing some greens(romaine,green leaf,collard,mustard) everyday and eventually in time he will start to eat it, don't bother with other vegetables until he starts eating the basics. Meanwhile keep feeding the crickets, as long as he's eating them you're in good shape....No problems.

Shaun

for a baby I wouldn't suggest the fruits or harder veggies like carrots. Fruits because they can cause diahrea which can lead to dehydration, apples are a bowl irritant and I've seen young dragons choke on pieces of apples as well as adults. Carrots you can run the same risk with. Try some grated yellow squash or try putting the greens in the cage and then dumping the crickets right on top of the greens so that he might accidently get some greens. Sometimes that accidental taste sparks an interest and gets them started.

The pet store is giving you bad advise. What you are offering are nutritional poor choices. I agree with the other posters that babies prefer live food to salad. I start mine from hatching on a daily salad consisting of mustard greens and dandelion only. The pieces should be smaller than the dragons head. A small low flat bowl is best. Put a bottomful of water in it and mist the top and the salad will stay fresh all day. I leave it in all day so it's always there between live feedings if they get hungry.

Be sure that you are dusting each live feeding with calcium w/D3 (No Phosphorus or Vitamin A) except for one that you dust with a multivitamin (again no Phosphorus or Vitamin A)

He's a good site for greens and vegs:

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

great advice. Thanks folks!