Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was given a pair of 2 year old beardies by a woman who no longer wanted them. I was told they were in good condition, but when she brought them over they were very thin. She had been feeding them bananas and bread for the pasted year! They will not eat greens or crickets. What should I do? They have a vet appointment on Monday. Thanks

Bananas are very high in phosphorus. The ratio of calcium to phorphorus is 1:3.3, YIKES! I'd get some calcium to those beardies fast! I'd feed a varied diet of collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, squash, cactus pads, endive, figs, mango, papaya, and occasionally as a treat - raspberries. All of those items contain more calcium than phosphorus. You can also feed silkworms as they are high in calcium. If you feed any other live prey I would sprinkle with calcium powder.

I am so glad that you are taking care of these beardies now. It's amazing how many people there are out there that have beardies and don't know how to properly feed them. Also, I have a complete listing of foods that beardies can eat and the amounts of calcium, phosphorus, fiber, fat, protein, and water content. Just visit the website below and click on Nutrition Content. Good luck and keep me posted. I'd love to post your rescue story on my website. If you have any photos of how they look now that would be great to have. Then you could take more photos in a few months... Just an idea.

Veronica
Beautiful Dragons

Make sure that you also have proper basking temps, and good light intensity in the cage in addition to what cristyj suggested.
good luck
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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me