Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,

I am wondering how most of your adult dragons eat and how their appetites vary compared to when they were younger. When I say adult, I mean dragons over 12 months of age. Most of my dragons continue to have the same diet habits as youngsters up until their first breeding season. I have one pair that ate like they did as juvis but after their first breeding season, the male is now less active after breeding, eating less, but maintaning weight, the female just laid her last clutch on the 23rd and still has the appetite of a female who just laid. I also have one male, who is only about 9 months old, who wants to breed so bad, I had to cover up the front of the cage to stop him from getting nose rub from hitting the glass. However, he still bobs all the time but doesnt hit the glass. This is why I feel his appetite has dropped off. Most of the adults I had in the past (and the way these 3 are starting to act) is that they will pig out one day, not really eat a lot the next, pig out one day, not really eat a lot the next, and so on. I know some will eat less, and some will eat a lot, I am just wondering how yours eat so I can get a better, rounded out idea. Thanks a lot!

Phil

I have had similar experiences with males especially. Once they start breeding food seems to be an afterthought. The females go in spurts. Most of my adult breeding females will eat a laot of food throughout the day but they seem to graze. They eat small amounts at a time but throughout the day it adds up. I never see them eat more than a bite or two yet they still eat all their salad and crickets Once they get closer to laying that of course diminishes. None of my adults compare to the appetites of anything under a year. They eat like they are twice the size they actually are.