Anthony244
New member
So I've had a rankins dragon for about 4 months I'd say. To those who don't know, rankins dragons are effectively just mini bearded dragons. Beginning about a month ago, he cut his food in half. He was right on track, 10-15 dubias twice a day, then it went to about 15 a day all together, and now for the last few weeks he seems like he hardly has an appetite. I'll put 10 dubias in his bowl, and throughout the day he'll stop by and rest 2-3 a few times a day. He's still perfectly active, just not eating enough. But he doesn't seem to be getting emaciated either. Before asking, my lighting is good. Small lizard in a 40 gallon, 10% HO uvb on 2/3s of the enclosure, 100w halogen on a raised basking spot, between 100-110 on the surface of the spot. Also have a 2ft grow light for extra lighting, and an ambient heat bulb that's on all the time to keep the cool side at 80. The basking light wasn't enough to heat the whole enclosure correctly. Heat gradient is perfect. Yes there was a change to his environment, I replaced the substrate with some shale tile for his nails and because it looks natural. I'd consider this to be a possible cause, but he continued to eat normally for weeks after I put the tile in. Any ideas? I'm completely stumped, and while he seems fine, I don't think it's sustainable forever. I have to give him nearly an entire syringe of water everyday because he doesn't get nearly enough from his food anymore. Plus he hates being sprayed lol. Somebody please I need some input