LearningwithPhoenix
Member
Hi folks. New beardie mom, here. We've had Phoenix for about 3 weeks now. I never thought we'd develop such an attachment so quickly but we're desperate and devestated. We came home the other night and found Phoenix at the top of his stick, head twisted back and facing up, pale (almost white). His color is back, though he is nearly black all over today. He's very dark... He's being very lazy. Last night he slept a lot, as high to the top of the tank as he could get, with his face and two front paws pressed against the glass. I had to pick him up and move him to get him to eat. Even then, he stayed put where I had him and only ate the crickets that came close. He did have a few bursts of energy throughout the day and zipped across the tank to follow me, sat briefly in his water spot, and willingly took one tiny piece of kale from me. I did go talk to a woman and a guy at Petsmart yesterday and they both own several beardies. They went back to talk to the vet. The thought was we possibly purchased an already sick baby, possible dehydration, possible lack of UV exposure, definite stress. The reason for that is because the guy at PetCo told us that beardies require frequent handling to domesticate them. So, I've allowed the kids to hold him...a lot. I feel horrible. They told me he should only be held once or twice a week for short periods of time. ? They had me purchase a new UV light that extends all the way across his tank, in addition to the one attached to his basking light. His basking light has a 75 watt bulb. Temps range between 84 and 88. Sometimes it will get up to 90. They told me that's where it should be for that size tank. They told me to unplug the heating pad from the "cool" side. He's not even trying to get to the top of the branch to bask today.