Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 12 year-old son's Rankin's dragon has been out of sorts for a couple weeks. He's been hanging out away from the spotlight during the day, sleeping on the cold side at night, and barely eating. I replaced the UVB bulb "Iguana light" thinking that might be it. He's perked up a little and lays under the spotlight now, but he seems listless. He half-heartedly tries to catch crickets if they walk past. Any ideas? He was doing great for four months.

What substrate are you using?

What temps do you have for basking spot?

What supplements are you using?

How much are you feeding?

How big of a cage?

Provide some info and we might be able to help you figure out what's going on.
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Rob Talkington

We're using Desert sand lizard litter (ground up English walnut shells).

The basking temp is 90 degrees (measured near top of tank on side basking light is on).

We use Herpcare calcium & vitamin D supplement, but only about once a week or so (apparently we should use more often).

He used to eat about 8 crickets per day, but now he's eating only about 4 crickets every 2-3 days - not interested in or can't catch on in between days. We have fresh water daily and offer greens (mixed frozen veggies and romaine usually), but he usually barely touches these.

He's in a 30 gallon tank. We're misting him every 2-3 days, but he really doesn't seem to like misting. He's never really enjoyed being held much (he was at pet store where he was bred until he was 2, so he probably never got used to it).

IF a Rankins has the same requirements as a Beardie then here's what I suggest.

First, get rid of that substrate. I've heard the walnut shells can cause havoc in the digestive system, regardless of what the bag or pet shop tells you. I'd use either paper towels, shelf liner or washed playsand. Right now since you are trying to figure out what the problem is your best bet may be the paper towels.

The basking temps need to be 105-115. 90 isn't warm enough and that may be your biggest problem.

At four months old he should probably be getting calcium (only, not multivitamins w/ the calcium) dusted on his crix once a day. I don't know much about the vitamin D but a multivitamin like Herptivite should be used a couple times a week.

Unfortunately he may have been missing just a little nutrients somewhere and it probably finally caught up with him.

In addition to all of this I would take a fecal into the vet to rule out some common parasites. If he has never been checked by a vet take him with you since it is always a good idea to have annual checkups anyway.

Keep in mind all of this is from knowledge of Bearded Dragons and not Rankins. All I know is they are very similar but different in size.

Good luck!!
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Rob Talkington

Thanks for your help. I'll switch the substrate and try to crank up the heat - pet store advised against, but you never know how "expert" the help is. He's been a little zippier the last couple days. Thanks again

>>Thanks for your help. I'll switch the substrate and try to crank up the heat - pet store advised against, but you never know how "expert" the help is. He's been a little zippier the last couple days. Thanks again
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Rob Talkington