Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm mainly a cham carer and closed or squinted eyes means BAD news on chams. That is why I'm asking whats that mean on a beardie. When he's basking for a long time he'll squint and close his eyes for a while. If there are any sudden movements he'll open them and is very alert. I just got him, and I saw him eat 2 crickets yesterday at the breeder's house, but he hasn't eaten yet for me. I know he is stressed and mainly concerned about the eyes.

P.S. he also closes his eyes when resting on my chest for a long time, or while I pet him.

Beardies are very 'laid back' lizards. Both of mine will close their eyes or squint while in just about any position.

It will probably take a few days for your new one to get adjusted. Mist them a few times a day to keep them hydrated as most will never drink from a bowl on their own...

Just for the peace of mind of the members of this forum why don't you go ahead and share the specifics of your set up..things like size, basking and cool side temps(and what you are using to measure the temps with), decorations, food, supplements--and of course post a picture as soon as you can!

Welcome!

p.s. mine also closes his eye(s) when a cricket crawls on his head or sometimes while petting his head. Also, be aware that they can puff their eyes out...not a big deal either

mine also squints and closes one or both eyes...I always tell him he's winking at me it seems like he's taking a cat nap...

Hi thanks for the quick responses. He's 6.5 inches and unsure of his age? If you guys could give me a guess that would be great. His basking is a 60 Watt bulb placed about 2 inches above his basking rock. As far as UVB, he gets an hour and half of florida sun everyday. Currently he is in a aqaurium approxiamtely 22 gallons but unsure. He ate two crickets just now!! And drank and ate a little lettuce so I think he is ok. Got another question though, when do you guys turn the lights off in their "lair" and turn the lights on. Are they like chameleons in that they need a strict time for lights on and lights off? Because cham's will only sleep in the dark but I hear beardies sleep during the day a bit.

P.S. Ill get picks ASAP, hes a sandfire

Thanks

proper temperatures are very important for beardies. Measure your basking spot with a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer--about $10 at any store or better yet use a temp gun. The basking spot needs to be at least 100F and most like it around 110F for babies--cool side should be around 75-80F. A 22 gallon should hold him for 4-5 months...I like and use 75 gallon tanks for both of my beardies.

Once he gets settled in he will be eating 25-50 crickets a day. It is usually cheaper to order them in bulk online... when you said you fed him 'lettuce' make sure it is not iceburg as that is bad stuff to use on any regular basis. Staple greens are the dark leafy ones like Mustard, Collard, Kale and Turnip. www.beautifuldragons.com has a great food list and care sheet.

Since you have chams you may want to start a silkworm colony--as they also make a great feeder for beardies too. I do have to purchase the silkworm chow, but they take very little effort and do not smell--plus they are so easy to breed.

Your baby probably had a February hatch date (I'd guess around 6 weeks old)--why not use Valentines Day as his birthday?

Take lots of pictures now as they grow FAST!

Basking temps are currently 109 and ambient is about 84. I'm feeding him very little because I only have a few crickets out of the ones that were sold to me as "smalls" that fit in between the space between his eyes. Today I offered my last of the small crickets that are sized accordingly but he ignored it. I panicked so I picked out a small mealworm (i know their bad for them but just to make sure he's eating) and dropped it in his cage. He went after it in seconds ;P. I have a shipment of pinheads comming in that I can feed him by the 20's but he doesnt seem interested veggies to much. Any ideas to get him on them? Also his fecal matter looked strage, there was a wite urinate and a separate long crusty piece stretched out across the newspaper. It looked similar to a tiny piece of mulch that was brown and crisp. There is no substrate and wasn't any in the breeder's cage, but is that a sign for anything? Speak of the devil, he just pooped again and this time the urinates seems blended in with the feces, it looks kind of moist though like diahrea.

If you have any concerns regarding your beardies feces, or even if you dont, its a good idea to bring a fecal sample to the vet. This will make sure your beardie is parasite free, or if he does have parasites allow you to erraticate(sp?) them before it becomes too big of a problem. Fecals are relavtively cheap at the vet, 15-20$.

As far as the veggies go, most babies aren't interested in them much. Babies should be eating mostly protein (90%) and only a small amount of veggies (10%). The most important thing to get your beardie interested in veggies is to make sure he has constant exposure to them, then when he gets older he willbe more apt to take to them.
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I haven't had a problem with mine eating veggies and fruit, but some pull the back legs off crickets and place in with the veggies and fruit, the crickets can't jump out and the movement attracts the beardie...someone else said they use a laser light and wiggle the light around on the veggies and fruit...makes the beardie think there is movement thus attracting his attention...