Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just got my bearded (my first!) at a show over the weekend. It's a juvi, got it in a 55 gallon tank. The tank's been set up for a while, so I know there's a basking spot of about 112 degrees, with temps ranging down to the 80's elsewhere. Maybe I'm just jumping the gun, but the dragon hasn't been one to explore or move around the cage much. It's a male, and has also been burrowing. When I came home from work today, I found it UNDER the food dish! Is this normal until it gets used to it's new cage? It's not eating much yet, but I can understand that. Any info is helpful!

Howard
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1.1.0 Green Anoles (Wilbur & Wilma)
1.0.0 Jeweled Curly Tail (Big Guy)
1.1.0 Crested Geckos
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon

hmmm.. do you have any hides in your enclosure for him? sounds like he's looking for some security, the hiding under dish and burrowing for example. is there anything outside the enclosure he can be afraid of? like a cat or dog maybe?

There is a hide in the cage, he actually slept under/in it last night. I have no other animals so there's nothing to be spooking him during the day. I'm trying to play with the heat/light a bit, maybe he's just being finicky until he settles in....

Thanks,

Howard
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1.1.0 Green Anoles (Wilbur & Wilma)
1.0.0 Jeweled Curly Tail (Big Guy)
1.1.0 Crested Geckos
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon

I'm taking a guess so correct me if I'm wrong, but it could be that he is just scared so it may take him a while to get used to his new enviroment. I'd try putting a hiding place in for him to use while he gets adjusted to the move. Have you tried holding him at all? See how he reacts. Try mixing some silk worms in with the greens or throwing some raspberries in. Hope it helps.

There is a hide in the cage, so he knows there's shelter. He seems fine when I hold him, he doesn't move much, but does look at stuff around the room. I'll have to order some wax worms & see, so far he hasn't been interested in crickets, mealworms or rep-cal pellets. I'll keep working on him though! Also going to keep trying to hold him a little each day so he gets used to me fairly quickly, or should I give him a few days with no handling at all?

Thanks,

Howard
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1.1.0 Green Anoles (Wilbur & Wilma)
1.0.0 Jeweled Curly Tail (Big Guy)
1.1.0 Crested Geckos
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon

with the way he's behaving, i would give him some space. atleast untill he begins to eat. also when he does seem ready.. i believe the best time to handle your beardie would be just before lights go out. when he's all bumbed out. hehe try handling him during the day and your beardie will be leaping off your hands, shoulders, head, nose, ear, hey you name it. basicly what im trying to say is that they're very active during the day.

if he is a baby then 55 gallons may be a bit big and he may be more comfortable if you section part of it off until he grows a bit.

Mist him lightly --especially on the head--to keep him hydrated until he starts eating regularly.

You can also tape some paper to the sides of the tank to cut down on any distractions for a while...after he settles remove one side at a time...

Try to hold off on offering mealworms--poor nutrition for beardies and hard for young ones to digest. Waxworms are like candy--no nutrition--just fat--and they can be addicting! Crickets, silkworms and roaches are the top feeders.

Keep offering a balanced salad every day--even if he does not eat it right now. go to www.beautifuldragons.com for a great list of good healthy food for beardies.

I'd wait until he gets settled before handling him. Once he starts eating then gradually up your 'hand' time with him--hand feeding is a good way to 'bond'.

Sounds like your beardie has a great home!

DM

We've had our little guy ( our first) for about a month now. It took him a good week to start eating well. Now he jumps up on his basking rock when we come into the room to see what were up to. It's fun wathcing him hunt down the crickets. When we first got him we had to play cowboy and heard the crickets right to him before he would eat. Be patient, he'll come around.

Give him a couple of weeks to settle in. No need to handle him right now. More than one hide would be nice; a piece of PVC pipe cut in half, a plastic bottle or jar cut in half. It doesn't have to be much, but it gives him choices. Keep the pellets out all the time and keep them moist.

Well, he's gone from burrowing to just staying on top of the log that's diagonally across his cage. He's in a relatively cooler area, barely in the 80's. He seems to be trying to stay or get close to the screen at the top! I have gotten him to drink a bit when I spray or drop water on his snout, and also got him to eat a couple of pieces of greens from my hand. I'm gonna get more greens, some fresh collard. It's only been 2 1/2 days, but no signs of poop yet!

How long should I let him be in the cage before trying to give him a bath? I'm trying not to handle him for a few days, to see if that'll help him settle in.

Thanks again for all the advice!

Howie
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1.1.0 Green Anoles (Wilbur & Wilma)
1.0.0 Jeweled Curly Tail (Big Guy)
1.1.0 Crested Geckos
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon

Try to give him a few more days, but if he's eating out of your hand it's better than most of us do with a dragon we've only had for a week.
When you do give the bath put a paper towel of small wash cloth on the bottom so he/she won't panic. There is nothing wrong with them drinking water dropped on the nose.