Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sorry I've been off line for a few days, and did not see your post two days ago for me. Just thought I would put it up here so you would see it for sure. Your set up sounds excellent. Do you have a pic? Gotta really keep things simple for the little guys. Many people start babies in a bin with a basking rock and paper towels as a substrate and that's it nothing fancy. Gives them an easier time catching the food. Not saying if you set up a beautiful extravagant enclosure to change it, please don't. But take that into consideration from where he came from and what the breeder had for him. Most likely what I said above a basking rock and basking light, in a small Rubbermaid bin with 10 siblings is what he is used too. Maybe you can try to feed him in a seperate smaller container where it is just him and a cricket, I did this for a few of my babies until they where juviniles. Do not throw in more than 1 cricket at a time cause this can scare him if there are too many. Your temps are fine, paper towel covering the sides will help relax him which is good, your keeping handling to a minimum, and offering food daily, and keeping him hydrated. Nothing more you can do for the little guy to help settle him in any faster. Some dragons just take longer then others. It is good that he pooped, at least you know he ate before. How long have you had him exactly, and what if anything has he eaten for you? If mine have not eaten anything when I first get them after a week. I offer them a mixture of some beardie pellets soaked in water till very soft, some squash & sweet potato baby food, with a pinch of calcium with d3, and a multi vitamin added. you could even throw in some crix but that is optional. Food process this all up and add water till it is of a consistency that can be drawn up into a needless syringe. You can get one at a pet store or an eye dropper will do, and feed like you've been giving the water. If he doesn't take it right away pull down and part his back lips and let him taste it. He should take it now once he realizes it is food and tastes pretty good. This does consist of enough vitamins to sustain him. You really want to get him feeding on his own as fast as possible so don't spoil him with these kinds of feedings. Most do come around within 2 weeks. If you really feel there is a problem other than him just settling in do not hesitate to take him to a vet with a stool sample if possible. Good Luck Keith. I really hope he comes around for you. Any more questions please come back and ask. Can anybody else offer Keith any other suggestions for a dragon that is taking some time settling in, and not eating on his own.
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Mystical Dragons

Thanks Mattman...Sorry to be putting these questions out for you but you've been gracious enough to answer back quickly....Yes he is eating crix but only about 4 or so a day...and I have been putting in a salad with squash, green beans, and turnips so can't really tell if he's eating that at all since it's so finely chopped...if by this weekend he doesn't put down a few more crix I may try the mixture with dropper you mentioned just for a few feedings to see what he'll do!...Thanks for the help!!!!!!!!!

ohh that's really good he is starting to eat them. They usually do start slow. Are you feeding him in that large 55 gal? That also might be why he isn't eating as many too. Some dragons hunt, and chase crix, and some sit and pounce lol. For the pouncers large tanks can be difficult Pretty neat to notice the differences after raising a few of them. If he is eating he will come around just fine as soon as he gets use to his surroundings, which then he might become a hunter . Sounds like a normal acclimation period and nothing really to worry about. I know how stressful it can be. I use to worry too. I thought your little one was not eating at all. Cool at least he is eating it's a start. I don't mind answering questions at all. Many people where here to answer mine when I first came around. I guess I just never left . Always good info to learn for those just incases that pop up now and then. It's great when they pop up and you already know what to do cause you read about it before. It helps big time. Good luck Keith. He'll come around fine.
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Mystical Dragons

Yes it is a 55L tank...And glad you mentioned the hunting thing becauase I noticed he will eat the crix I drop in front of him, and only if they are in front of him, but he sees them from afar but doesn't seem to want to hunt them down...So yes he is eating about 5 crix a day and hopefully some of the salad I provide but can't be sure about that...I do dust the crix so he is getting vitamin and calcium, and he is drinking fine....I'll keep observing and see what he does....would it hurt to just puree some stuff and syringe feed him while he's eating (even if just a few crix) or should I leave that alone for now??????

I personally would hold off that was a suggestion if he was not eating at all and you needed to get food, vits/cal, and fluids into him to keep him going. That's for emergencies mostly, and for dragons that have gone way too long with no food. If he is starting to come around and eat he most likely will pick up on it. Every day now he'll most likely eat a little more than the last. I do at times once they are settled and established give them a treat like that. I get some veggies and pellets into them to hydrate or for variety, this is also a good thing to practice with them and for them to get use too it if you ever have to give meds to them they will take it very easy. I think in this case and him not being established yet a babying treat like that might not be a good idea right now. Let him get hungry and start to hunt. Later on you can give him treats like that, and start to handle him more I know your dieing for him to settle in already. I know the feeling. Your doing very good. You will have plenty of time for all that once he's settled in. I sometimes mix the pellets in Gatorade with some greens and give it to them as treats to help keep them well hydrated. They like it too, and take their water like that as well. Good little trick to know. Also is good for in the future if they ever have trouble going to the bathroom. Mix lots of veggies like carrots, and string beans in the mix. Works like a charm, lol. Good luck Keith.
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Mystical Dragons

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