Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased an adult male bearded dragon from a breeder at a show a couple weekends ago. He appears healthy and alert. She said he was about two years old. His 55 gallon enclosure has a red heat lamp on one end with the basking spot at about 110 degrees F (at the top of a large decorative wood root). The other end of the cage has a temp of about 80 degrees F, and I have a heat mat under the cage set at about 80 degrees F with about an inch of Sani-chips on the bottom. I have a Reptisun 10.0 fluorescent tube located about 6 inches above the highest spot in the cage. Since bringing him home, he has refused all offerings of food. I've tried meal worms, crickets, kale, tomato, watermelon, broccoli with no luck. He does have a dish of clean water, but I've never seen him drink. He also has access to a hiding spot located in the wood root.

I've had other beardies and have never had one refuse all food. I'm getting worried about him. Any suggestions on how I might stimulate his appetite would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Hi,

First off,I would change your red light to a white household bulb of proper wattage. I would try different salads and waxworms. Mine actually prefers the salad most days. He only gets insects 2-3 times per week. I would also feed about an hour after the lights go on.

Hope this helps<
Linda

Oh, I would also remove the under tank heating. Your temps are fine and you don't want it to warm. Make a salad of turnip greens, carrots, and butternut squash (chop well and see what happens.

My guy was a rescue and he devoured the salad within an hour of getting him home.

Thanks very much for your replies Linda. I've since gotten him to eat once, but he wasn't very enthusiastic about it. He took some mealworms a few days ago, but turned his nose up at waxworms. Since he has repeatedly refused kale, I'm going to drop by the grocery stire and pick up some butternut squash and turnip greens if I can find them. Here in CA the grocery stores throw away the greens from the turnip before they display them. People here just don't know what they're missing. Nothing like turnip greens with a hamhock.

Steve

Have you tried giving him a bath? He could be constipated if he has not poopped. or maybe dehydrated. Bathing my male seems to help bowel movements and then mine eats better.

Thanks for the idea. I haven't tried giving him a bath, but I'll definitely give it a go and see what happens.

Steve