First time owner need help

TDougy2018 · Feb 18, 2017

This is Copper, I have had him for about a week now and am kinda curious as to why he won't eat the wax worms or meal worms I feed him. I am hand feeding the worms but if he doesn't eat them then I put them in the food dish along with some food pellets. All I ever see him do is bask. Either on his hammock, or on top of his cave.
I have read stuff online about giving new dragons a few days to settle in. He ate the first night I had him he had about 5 wax worms then I fed him 7 more throughout the next day but hasn't eaten them or anything since.
What can I do?

destiny1998 · Feb 18, 2017

Hi. He probably still has some relocation stress. Also wax worms and mealworms are not very good. Better off feeding Phoenix worms, silk worms crickets and dubia roaches.

TDougy2018 · Feb 18, 2017

I was going to grab some crickets but they were closed and I'm not a fan of roaches but if they're good for him I'll have to do it. He has been putting out some good poop though came home and found a good solid one. Which means he is eating something? (Probably some pellets)

TDougy2018 · Feb 19, 2017

What should I do if copper won't eat food pellets or wax worms or meal worms from my hand while he is also in my hand? I haven't been able to get to a pet store to get crickets yet. Planning to get some tomorrow after work. How many should I let lose in the tank bc I feel like he'd be wanting to hunt them down. Also how many Dubia roaches?

destiny1998 · Feb 20, 2017

Hi. Pellets I'd give to crickets for food. They are not good to feed young dragons. Young ones need live bugs 2x to 3x a day. I had a baby that would eat 200 or more roaches a week. I also have a dubia colony since I have 3 and its cheaper in the long run instead of running to the pet store. Mealworms are hard for them to digest and cause impaction. The wax worms are like candy bars to beardies.

kingofnobbys · Feb 20, 2017

TDougy2018":dt6x4rxd said:
This is Copper, I have had him for about a week now and am kinda curious as to why he won't eat the wax worms or meal worms I feed him. I am hand feeding the worms but if he doesn't eat them then I put them in the food dish along with some food pellets. All I ever see him do is bask. Either on his hammock, or on top of his cave. <<< he's diet conscious and into healthy feeder bugs and he's giving you the hint ---> get me some BSF maggots, crickets, roaches, silkworms please.

I have read stuff online about giving new dragons a few days to settle in. He ate the first night I had him he had about 5 wax worms then I fed him 7 more throughout the next day but hasn't eaten them or anything since.
What can I do?

Likely :
relocation stress
and
change of feeder insects (find out what the previous keeper was giving Cooper).

Wax and mealworms are very poor feeder insects to use a staple feeder insects for a bearded dragon.
Best feeders are :
BSF maggots (phoenix worms)
silkworms
Crickets or roaches (better if gut loaded with calcium and vitamin rich greens and foods).

Wax worms, mealworms are suitable for use as treats for adults ONLY , some people add superworms as a staple but IMO these are best only given sparingly as treats as well.

kingofnobbys · Feb 20, 2017

destiny1998":3j9hdl10 said:
Hi. Pellets I'd give to crickets for food. They are not good to feed young dragons. Young ones need live bugs 2x to 3x a day. I had a baby that would eat 200 or more roaches a week. I also have a dubia colony since I have 3 and its cheaper in the long run instead of running to the pet store. Mealworms are hard for them to digest and cause impaction. The wax worms are like candy bars to beardies.

I agree - pellets make fabulous cricket food, superworms and mealworms like them mixed with the wheat bran too.

If you must give pellets to Cooper , soften then in the same volume of water and mix with grated veg.

kingofnobbys · Feb 20, 2017

TDougy2018":2clufsdt said:
This is Copper, I have had him for about a week now and am kinda curious as to why he won't eat the wax worms or meal worms I feed him. I am hand feeding the worms but if he doesn't eat them then I put them in the food dish along with some food pellets. All I ever see him do is bask. Either on his hammock, or on top of his cave.
I have read stuff online about giving new dragons a few days to settle in. He ate the first night I had him he had about 5 wax worms then I fed him 7 more throughout the next day but hasn't eaten them or anything since.
What can I do?

You need very high levels of UVA and UVB , and a basking spot temperature of about 40degC.

Might be his setup needs a few tweeks - give us a rundown on his UV , temperature gradient and basking spot temp, types of lights and lighting schedule as well what your bedding is.

kingofnobbys · Feb 20, 2017

TDougy2018":2r6qrlpe said:
I was going to grab some crickets but they were closed and I'm not a fan of roaches but if they're good for him I'll have to do it. He has been putting out some good poop though came home and found a good solid one. Which means he is eating something? (Probably some pellets)

he's likely a sly eater .... some are very shy about eating while being watched.

TDougy2018 · Feb 21, 2017

I have left freshly cut veggies in his food bowl the past few days and have noticed the veggies (shredded carrot or sugar snap peas, doesn't seem to like the kale leaves) are scattered outside the food bowl when I come home from work and/or classes. Seems to me that alot of it is missing so I guess that's good.

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