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Eating Habits

emilyisrad Mar 23, 2005 12:00 AM

I have two beardies, male and female, about 7 months old. They are perfectly health and the loves of my life. I have several questions...

1. My beardies have loved crickets up until about 2 months ago. I never changed how or the number I fed them, they just didn't seem interested. They have always loved their veggies so I only offered them crickets 1-2 times a week (and they rarely touch them and I have to search em out before bedtime!)
I have been giving them mealworms and waxworms for dinner and was just wondering what is the best type of worm to give them and how often I should. Can worms be adequate for the protein in their diet or is there any kind of protein substitute? Also they LOVE corn and sometimes i'll mix it with lima beans (for protein) is it okay for them to eat it?

2. I seperated my beardies a few weeks ago (they were trying to do it) and the female has not been eating her veggies for the past week. She hasn't pooped all week but she only pooped every few days in the past. I've tried giving her bathes to soothe her stomach but she hates it. She has been sleeping and digging in her cage. I was concerned that she may be pregnant but she hasn't gained nor lost any weight. She loves to sleep between my covers while i watch tv!! Could this be brumutation? and if it is how long will this last? Is there anything I should do?

3. Is there any way to make bathe time easier with my female? I fill the sink up to about 1 1/2 inches with warm water. She won't sit in the water like her brother does so I hold her in my hand a few inches above it and drip the water on her. She will be okay with it for a few minutes but thats it. What should i do?

Sorry about all of the questions but my computers been broken and i've been building them up! Thanks!!

Replies (8)

PHLdyPayne Mar 23, 2005 03:25 PM

Greetings. Will answer your questions as best as I can

>1. My beardies have loved crickets up until about 2 months ago. I never changed how or the number I fed them, they just didn't seem interested. They have always loved their veggies so I only offered them crickets 1-2 times a week (and they rarely touch them and I have to search em out before bedtime!)
I have been giving them mealworms and waxworms for dinner and was just wondering what is the best type of worm to give them and how often I should. Can worms be adequate for the protein in their diet or is there any kind of protein substitute? Also they LOVE corn and sometimes i'll mix it with lima beans (for protein) is it okay for them to eat it?

Corn is fine but in small amounts, not sure about the Lima beans. (www.beautifuldragons.com has a great nutritian chart as well as frequency to feed greens/vegetables). As for worms, wax worms are rather high in fat so should only be offered as a treat. Mealworms tend to be difficult to digest for young dragons (yours are old enough to handle mealworms) but don't have alot of nutitian compared to same volumn of other insects. Silkworms and butterworms are the best worms to feed, as they are high in calcium and protein, as well as water. They are very low in chitin as they are soft bodied worms (they are catapillers). Roaches are also a great insect food but most people seem to be squimish about feeding them. They are also easier to keep, don't chirp or stink like crickets etc.

Your dragons are still young, they do need to have a feeding of insects once a day still. It is good they are at least eating their greens still. You can add any commercial pellets made for juvenile dragons, to help up their protein intake.

>2. I seperated my beardies a few weeks ago (they were trying to do it) and the female has not been eating her veggies for the past week. She hasn't pooped all week but she only pooped every few days in the past. I've tried giving her bathes to soothe her stomach but she hates it. She has been sleeping and digging in her cage. I was concerned that she may be pregnant but she hasn't gained nor lost any weight. She loves to sleep between my covers while i watch tv!! Could this be brumutation? and if it is how long will this last? Is there anything I should do?

Being separated when used to being with another dragon can cause a period of readjustment. The fact she isnt' pooping could be due to the fact she hasn't been eating much. Deffinitely make sure her basking temperature is correct. If she does have eggs, you should be able to feel them within her by gently feeling her stomach area. It's not common for a 6-7 month old female dragon to be gravid but it isn't impossible. However, pregnant dragons tend to eat ravenously till about a week before they are ready to lay eggs. If you are concerned she has eggs, give her a lay box filled with sand/potting soil (chemical free) or soil/vermiculite/water so it clumbs nicely but isn't soaked. You should be able to squeeze it and not get water, but still forms a firm clump. Use a heat lamp to warm the sand and put your dragon into it. If she is near to laying she will dig like mad.

Since you mentioned she hasn't lost weight, I would watch her fat pouches (two lumps on the head behind the eyes, if they are suckin, she's underweight, if raised, she has a good weight), the base of her tail and under the arms. Bringing her in to see a vet experienced with reptiles and/or bearded dragons, if possible, with a fresh stool sample, certainly wouldn't hurt and will rule out parasites etc.

>3. Is there any way to make bathe time easier with my female? I fill the sink up to about 1 1/2 inches with warm water. She won't sit in the water like her brother does so I hold her in my hand a few inches above it and drip the water on her. She will be okay with it for a few minutes but thats it. What should i do?

Not all bearded dragons liking baths, it's not natural to them giving they are from relatively arid climates. Personally I feel there is no need to bathe a dragon, unless it's to help hydrate them, ease constipation or clean them. To hydrate/ease constipation you just soak the dragon in luke warm water for about 10-20 minutes, keeping the water at shoulder height. It also helps to have a rolled up facecloth, rock or several flat tiles in the water for them to rest against. Don't leave them unattended, just in case something happens. One time I put my bearded dragon into a bathe to clean her and didn't notice she had bent her head down, so when I put her in the water, her head was emmersed..I quickly pulled her out again and she was found (she obviously held her breathe, little trickster). My dragon would always try and climb out of her bath, though sometimes she would sit calmly for awhile.

About brumation, it being spring in North America, not typcally the time for dragons to brumate, unless she is really intune with her native habitate. I would deffinitely check her temperatures, basking spot and cool end and make sure they are where they should be ( 95-115F basking, 80-85F ambient, cool end 75-80F). Use a digital thermometer with probe or temp gun to measure surface temps, the dial stickup thingies are no good except maybe a general ideal of ambient temperature. Most are about 5-20F off, up or down.

Sorry for the lengthy response but I do hope it was useful. Oh one last question, what sort of substrate are you using? Some are notoriously known to cause impaction if injested.
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PHLdyPayne

emilyisrad Mar 23, 2005 05:41 PM

Thank you so much for your quick replies! I really appreciate it. I'm sure we all know what it feels like to have your beardies not acting normally! I am currently using sand which I know has been largely debated on. I decided to go with sand because it was more "natural." I have been reading the posts regarding the best substrate and haven't decided if I should change, or if that will simply cause even more stress. I want to do what is best for my dragons.

Since before any eating problems occured I had been considering taking my dragons in for a "check-up." Does anyone know any good reptile vets in the Chicago area or how to find one? Also, how much will the cost range? I'm a college student on a limited budget!!

Thank you so much!!

AlteredMind99 Mar 23, 2005 05:52 PM

I dont know any vets in that area as i live in maine, but i do work at a vet clinic that treats reptiles so i can give you an approximation (it varies clinic to clinic) of prices:

an office visit: 30-45$
A fecal exam: 10-20$

if your lizards need any xrays, blood work, or cultures the price jumps up A LOT, sometimes even 100's of dollars. If you are just taking them in for a check up and there are no apparent problems though it should just cost you the visit and the fecal

good luck!
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

emilyisrad Mar 23, 2005 05:56 PM

Thank you so much, I thought it would be much more expensive. Gotta ask a stupid question...would it cost for BOTH beardies to have an office exam? Or just 1 office exam charge for both? I know they would charge for both to have fecal exams.. I just want to make sure I have enough money with me before i go!!!

AlteredMind99 Mar 23, 2005 06:06 PM

It depends on the clinic of course, but i believe most places will charge you two office exams because the doctor will be giving a ful physical to both lizards. If you do not have enough money, bring the beardie you are concerned most about first and a fecal from both and then bring the other beardie in later.


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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

emilyisrad Mar 23, 2005 06:20 PM

Thank you! =)

PHLdyPayne Mar 24, 2005 11:53 AM

To find herp vets in your area, the link below is a good resource. Another is your yellow pages, just look for listings of exotic vets and reptile vets.
herp Connection

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PHLdyPayne

Samurai33 Mar 23, 2005 04:53 PM

Our girl Zoe is the same way with baths. What we do is cup her eyes, kinda like blinders on a horse, and then she'll sit stiller (is that a word). We've put her in the bath tub or sink and then she can't climb out and exhaust herself till she sits still.

You can always try Superworms too. Definately look at Beautiful Dragon's website. Good luck!
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Beardies (Zippy, Zoe & Zelda)
Frilled (Zeus)
Cat (Guess)
All spoiled rotten!

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