Reptile & Amphibian Forums

well, our newest baby now has a great new setup and loves the vines (suprise, suprise). problem is that I still cant get her to eat on her own. she completely turns her nose up at the earthworms, so I am still feeding her waxworms. I put something out for her every morning and then that nite end up feeding her by hand. she is still very thin. what else should I try feeding her? I know that the waxworms are mostly fat- I had planned on just jump starting her with them but now I seem stuck on them. some things I was thinking about but not sure of: mealworms, freze-dried crickets (she ignores the live ones, which seems odd to me because they were all that the person that I got her from was feeding her), any other worms? thanks, Teresa
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Ok, forgive me but I need a refresher. I answer so many questions that although I recall your ID and situation I have lost track of some details. So, help me remember if you have had her to a vet for parasite check.

I would not try freeze-dried crickets as MHDs just don't care for crickets alive and don't eat anything dead. I do feed my little ones a lot of mealworms but make sure you gut-load well. I don't like to see them the main diet of a larger dragon and most larger dragons won't show an interest in such a small prey.

I have had great luck with slugs (when I can find any), crawlers, superworms, silkworms or hornworms, and lobster roaches. The adults seem to prefer large feeders so when they eat silkworms or hornworms they like them 2" or a little larger. None of mine seem at all interested in crickets.

What I would do is get a tube of Jump-Start and use it when force feeding. It has things in it that will help stimulate appetite. Also, continue the pediolyte for the same reason. If you can't find Jump-start locally you can make your own force feeding formula by mixing strained lamb baby food with pediolyte and a pinch of calcium and/or vitamins. Thin with pediolyte to make a consistency that you can feed with a syringe or eye-dropper. OR use Boost or Ensure which is already packed with vitamins and calcium. I prefer the jump-start or lamb as I find it is easier to switch them back to insects if they aren't on a totally liquid diet.

It is imperative that you find out why, after all this time, she isn't eating. I know you have worked very hard with her and I am at a loss unless there is something medical that hasn't been addressed yet.

Keep me posted!

Marcia
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

When my dragon won't eat there are a few things I have noticed that are the reasons why. Even if they don't seem interested in their cage, doesn't necesarily mean they won't eat at all. They just might not like the environment(for feeding). What I've noticed works for my dragon when she won't eat (she's VERY picky) is putting her in her water tray, almost a guarantee she'll eat for me then. Or, I will get a clean towel, put it on my lap then put her on my lap and then drop an earth worm on the towel about 1-2 inches away from her head.

She loves earth worms, and what I usually do to get them real wiggly is squirt them with some water (and/or sprinkle some calcium dust on them). From my experience they LOVE wiggly worms...lots of movement is key to catching their attention.

If worst comes to worst get some pedialyte/gatorade mixed with some baby food and force (gently) rub around their lips with the oral syringe until you get it underneath the lips and then squirt a bit in. This can be tedious, but its what saved my MHD.

I've had my dragon for about 2 years now and she is roughly ~3yrs old now, so my experience with hatchlings and younger dragons is minute.