Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I am new to the forum and I am adopting a new baby next week. I am trying to get prepared. I have had an adult dragon for many years and I recently lost him at the ripe old age of nine to liver cancer. I had adopted him through work and he was already two years old when I got him. This one I am adopting is approx. 6 months old ( I think I haven't finalized anything with the breeder.) Now to my question, what feeding schedule do you rec. for babies. I know that they need higher protein amounts than adults, so I wanted to get opinions from people with experience with babies. I have seen many problems associated with growth rates that were too rapid at the veterinary hospital I work at. Thank you in advance for your help.

-Stacey

Some at six months have reached close to their adult size, some have not hit a growth spurt or only a few yet so will need more protein.

We follow what the baby is telling us and supply all the fresh greens and veggies they want, all the crickets they can eat in 10-15 minutes ( you can tell, the slow down and just sit there when full) and occassionally a silk worm for a treat if they ate all thier greens

For some that may be 20-75 crickets a day (offered twice a day) and 1/4-1 cup of salad. It varies with their needs, usually by six months of age the babies diet is starting to become more greens and veggies and less insects

Although size can have some effects by the enviroment and diet, it usually is more genetic related and if the babies needs are met, he will grow to a size he was intended. DR Kathryn Tosney has a saying I love, "baby dragons turn all good food into more dragon". W ehave had babies at 6 months that are 17 inches and only grow 2-3 inches more in their life, but we have had ones at 6 months also that are 12 inches and grow another 12 before they are adults.

What we do not feed them is ANY fat,(especially wax worms) and I think this is what you meant when you said problems with growing to fast, its not the growing up, its the growing out, the poor diet that causes the problems. Bearded dragon's livers, especially babies can not break down the fats some other animals can and this leads to many liver and renal diseases.
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Thank you very much for your help. When I get in contact with the breeder I will know a little more about his size and current diet.

-Stacey