Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got my beardie about a week ago in a nice big ol tank and i keep putting fresh veggie in but my dragon around 5" wont eat any just prefers crickets... i know this cant be to healthy for him? whats can i do??

My beardie did exactly the same thing. no matter what i tried he just wouldn't eat anything when he was that size apart from crickets.one day i put some greens in and he just ate them. haven't a clue what made him go for them. i did put some mealies in to get him to go to the bowl but i had been doing that for weeks. he eats loads of cabbage and carrots now. all i can say is keep putting them in. Trust me you will know if he has had some cos there will be a huge mess (unless he walks through like mine does) i was worried to so i went to the local vet for advice he says they can live without veg as long as you dust the crickets with calcium dust or gut load them. things like that. i wouldn't worry. mine is 35cm now and e has only been eating vegies about a month. ( had him 4months) a lot bigger than the pic now

sorry i tend to go on alot. hope i have helped a bit but if you are like me you will worry anyway lol
kay

Cabbage is no good for beardies, I would reconsider your choice of greens. Even romaine lettuce would be better.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 1999
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

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sig file edited 1/29/05 [phw]

thxs that was big help i guess to make sure he get water im just going to mist his head Im going to put some lettuce and other green goodies in a month or less see if he will eat them then

oh and just feed a little bit of green veggies like carrot not as much as i use to but just enough so it wont go spoiled and having to go to the supermarket everyother day for a carrot and some lettuce

glad i could help. i don't think lettuce is any good for them. from what i have heard anyway but saying that there was a post earlier that said cabbage was no good even though all the books i have read, the pet shop owner, some of the people in the forum and the vet say it is good for them along with kale and mustard greens ( they are harder to get though) if you can get yours to eat carrots please let me know how. mine won't touch them.
kay

NO CABBAGE, NO LETTUCE!! Even Carrots should be fed in moderation. Where are you getting your info on beardie diets? I dont mean to get on your case, but I have just seen two posts of people admiting they are feeding their dragons the wrong food!

Dragons should get dark greens like collards, escarole, endive, mustard, turnip, dandelion leaves, alfalfa and chard. They should also get yellow and orange squashes, or yams/sweet potatoes.

My general rule is this: If it has the word LETTUCE in the name it is NO GOOD!!

Hope that helps!!

Sarah
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FireDrake Exotics
www.FireAndLilac.com

baby beardies need a diet that is mostly protein (80-90%). As they mature they will need a diet with more veggies in it. As an adult they will need a diet of 80-90% veggies with occasional protein (once or twice a week).

If you can get your baby to eat veggies early then you dont have to worry about them refusing them as an adult (which can lead to health problems). Keep offering them fresh veggies daily--even hand feeding if that helps get them interrested.

One of our beardies is not fond of veggies--refused them until he was 6 months old and even now he picks at them. Our other beardie will eat ANY veggie or fruit you give her!

Your baby is lucky to have such a caring owner.
DM

lol wish it was true that they would accept at adult hood if they eat them as babies. Mine loved greens as a baby,but now she won't touch them but once in awhile. No matter what I have tried.