Reptile & Amphibian Forums

where does a beardie sleep? Does he go into a hide or just nod out on a branch? will I know when he is ready?

I know this sounds really lame (lol!) but I am so used to the schedules and habits of my other critters (Luna climbs to her sleep spot) I have no idea what to expect!?!? He spent about 18 hours in a box (got into his cage around 10:00 a.m. EST) and he still seems quite alert. I know his old bedtime was 9:30pm but he probably has jet lag (well, not quite - he stayed in the same time zone

Also, I had a feeding question (below) about setting him in another container to eat crix. He seemed sort of freaked out but I left him alone for about 15 minutes. He didn't eat any. Anything i should know about this process? How big a container, etc. He did, however, take a few small pieces of dandelion greens from my hand

thanks!
lele
-----
0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - For now his name is Kinky Boy
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

As far as bedtime goes, they will sleep in the same general area (at least mine did), but they would sometimes sleep on the branches or on the floor.

And may I ask, why are you feeding your new guy in a separate tank? Or am I not understanding what you are asking?

Thanks,
Shannon

Hi Shannon,

Just adjusting to new schedules and feeding. I was advised by his "mom" (friend/breeder) to feed him in a separate container so that he will find his prey (1/4" crix) and eat what he will in a set period of time. I had also read this on some sites (and maybe this forum?) as a way to feed babies (he's about 2 months).

thanks,
lele
-----
0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - For now his name is Kinky Boy
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

As for the sleeping, some nights my dragons actually look sleepy and I'll know to turn out the lights. Other nights they are active, but once the lights go out, they find their spot. Mine sleep in different spots it seems everynight. Some nights its under some leaves, others under their logs. Some nights together, some nights seperated.( My girls are together, my boy in his own tank). Last night the girls slept cheek to cheek. It was a kodak moment.
As for taking the dragon out to feed. Mine NEVER liked that. They refused to eat that way. Or if they get too many crix at one time they seem to freak out that way too. If you insist on the outside way, try a cricket or two at a time so it's not so overwhelming....
Jamie

as far as bedtime goes, for babies about 10-12 hrs of day is what works for me, i use a timer i bought at kroger's for $5. i set it for 7 am - 7 pm. and i feed all my babies in their tanks, it does seem kinda stressful on them to switch their tanks constantly like that. plus if u just got her a day or two ago, you should give her a week or so without touching, holding, or just generally messing with her so that she can get comfortable. she might be too stressed to eat. on the other hand if u have a baby that is not eating say 2 weeks after u got her, then i would say you might have got a poor-health baby. GOOD LUCK EITHER WAY!!

I have fed my Sam in a feeding tub for a while now. For the first month or so I fed him in his tank then decided it was too much of a hassle to have to make sure he ate them all before I left and that took too much time. At first he wouldnt eat any and freaked out when put in it. But I would put maybe 1-2 crickets in and leave him alone in there for about 10 minutes (he was a shy eater and didnt like being watched) and after a couple days of doing that I would come back and the crickets would be gone. Now I can put as many crickets as he wants in at a time, watch him, and he'll eat every single one. He loves his feeding bin. It takes time for them to get used to eating in a smaller tub (mine's about the size of Sam, 16", deep and about 24 inches wide and about 15" high). Just make sure to get one that is big enough for them to turn around in so they can get to all the crickets and high enough so they cant jump out (the dragon and crickets lol). Good luck!
Meghan
-----
1.0 Normal Bearded Dragon (Sam)
2.2 Russian Tortoises (Leo, Cole, Piper, Prue)
0.2 Dogs (Molly-Beagle, Zoei-German Shorthaired Pointer)
View My Photos: http://photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

Hi Meghan,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I posted below (same thread) that I solved the feeding problem. Like you, I decided to use a tub in the tank and it is perfect. He can get in and out and also get all the crickets. I work at home so I have the luxury of checking in. But, as the folks at the cham forum know, my critters can get pretty spoiled with all the attention

He is definitely not a shy eater and is quite the little glutton
-----
0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - For now his name is Kinky Boy
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info

I would think for a hatchling that would be very stressful. I have always fed my dragons in the tanks they live in, even as babies.
I guess if it works for you and your new baby, than no harm done.

It is all really about what works for both of you.

Shannon

yes feed them one by one it helps alot. when your beardie see's multiple movements all around him it makes it difficult and confusing for him. try placing him near one side of his feeding box or whatever you have set for him to feed him in. then put the crix one at a time. crix usually run along the walls and that way it will come across your beardie. also get a stick to navigate the cricket toward him ( only if your beardie is ok with that and not scared ofcourse) otherwise yep, just let the cricket find your beardie gl hope it helps

Thanks for the thoughts and advice. I ended up finding a perfect size container, put in a bunch of crix and placed it next to a branch. He jumped in and began eating and can easily jump out onto the driftwood when he is done (but I will take it out in about 10 minutes). Forgot what it is like to feed a baby - have to adjust my cricket order in the future!

Btw, as soon as I put out the lights he climbed down and slept under (well, half and half) a piece of corkbark.

Adjusting to a new species is always fun, maybe challenging, but fun

lele
-----
0.1 Veiled - Luna
1.0 Beardie - For now his name is Kinky Boy
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta
1.0 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula (no name yet)
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Chameleon Help & Resource Info