Bearded dragon not eating?

I have had my bearded dragon for about 2 weeks now, it hasn’t been a big eater at any point since I have had her. I set her tank
up the same way I did my other baby bearded dragon. 4x2x18”, with basking area around 105, uvb tube mounted in front of basking so that it covers basking area as well as 2/3 the tank. Besides basking area warm side 90 degrees and cool side 80 degrees. (I did have the 2 together for first week as I didn’t know better but separated last Friday she is actually in the same tank and the other baby went into the new one)

I feed in a escape proof bowl in enclosure.
She went from eating 10-15 Dubias through out the day to now eating 1-5. She did shed and finished yesterday everything but tail, and now tail is looking more dull). She never eats more than 2-3 bites of greens in a day. She appears interested in the Dubias and occasional wax worm by turning head and watching them, just doesn’t go down and eat them.

My other baby eats 40-60 Dubias a day and is shedding currently. So that’s part of why I am concerned.

Besides not eating she acts pretty normal. She bask about 1/2 the day and the other half she is on another branch up close to uvb, but not under basking bulb.

Stool is normal. Solid formed brown with white (sometimes the outside of white will have a little yellow or orange on it, but not always and very minute amounts)

Also her “stress” markings on stomach and neck are always super dark.

What could I be missing?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
I have had my bearded dragon for about 2 weeks now, it hasn’t been a big eater at any point since I have had her. I set her tank
up the same way I did my other baby bearded dragon. 4x2x18”, with basking area around 105, uvb tube mounted in front of basking so that it covers basking area as well as 2/3 the tank. Besides basking area warm side 90 degrees and cool side 80 degrees. (I did have the 2 together for first week as I didn’t know better but separated last Friday she is actually in the same tank and the other baby went into the new one)

I feed in a escape proof bowl in enclosure.
She went from eating 10-15 Dubias through out the day to now eating 1-5. She did shed and finished yesterday everything but tail, and now tail is looking more dull). She never eats more than 2-3 bites of greens in a day. She appears interested in the Dubias and occasional wax worm by turning head and watching them, just doesn’t go down and eat them.

My other baby eats 40-60 Dubias a day and is shedding currently. So that’s part of why I am concerned.

Besides not eating she acts pretty normal. She bask about 1/2 the day and the other half she is on another branch up close to uvb, but not under basking bulb.

Stool is normal. Solid formed brown with white (sometimes the outside of white will have a little yellow or orange on it, but not always and very minute amounts)

Also her “stress” markings on stomach and neck are always super dark.

What could I be missing?
Are temps your getting surface basking temps? What UVB bulb are you using? A T 5 or a T 8 and is it a Reptisun brand? Is there a clear plastic cover over the UVB bulb -- they will go thru relocation stress and eating will be off --- your other one eating 40 60 dubias is ALOT --- are you feeding salads and what size dubia are you feeding -- the most my 3 month old ate was around 15 at a time -- but I was feeding salads silk worms when I had them and BSFL and 1-3 super worms -- so he filled up before eating that many roaches -- w/ her getting as close to that UVB bulb tells me shes not getting enough possibly --- if you can post a pic of your tank
 

Andi_Braun

Member
Original Poster
I have been putting calcium on almost every feeding for her because she wasnt eating much and vitamins every 3rd day.
This morning I put 10 Dubia and 2 wax worms in her bowl and since then she ate 2 dubia.

Uvb is a reptisun 10.0 t5 tube. In a reptisun fixture so nothing covering it.

Temp for basking spot I use a combo of a thermal laser gun and a digital probe to make sure they both show around the same. And the rest of the tanks temps I just use the digital probe.
And yes the other one eats 15-20 small Dubias 3x a day, along with some greens and the occasional wax worm. That’s why this one eating so little still was concerning.

First tank is hers. You can see her on back corner basking and second is the other little one to show they are set up the same. she also gets as close to the uvb as possible and rarely actually bask, but eats a ton and growing rapidly.
 

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xp29

BD.org Addict
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Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
Beardies can be very picky eaters. That said they are also hunters, their strike instinct is triggered by movement. I have seen mine on numerous occasions watch the bug and never try to eat it till it begins to run. I know they are more headache, but maybe try crickets, or bsfl ect bugs that actually move around, dubias kindda tend to set still unless they are goaded.
 

Andi_Braun

Member
Original Poster
Beardies can be very picky eaters. That said they are also hunters, their strike instinct is triggered by movement. I have seen mine on numerous occasions watch the bug and never try to eat it till it begins to run. I know they are more headache, but maybe try crickets, or bsfl ect bugs that actually move around, dubias kindda tend to set still unless they are goaded.
So I was thinking something along this, I have noticed she eats a couple more if I drop them or one escapes. So today I went and bought some slate tiles that I am going to do the bottom of her cage in so that I can toss in some bugs and them not be able to get under substrate and hide. (They always end up under the carpet or paper towels)

I also saw someone mention bee pollen to help picky eaters eat. So I found some at the vitamin shop that says it’s only ingredient is the bee pollen. I’m going to crush some up tomorrow when I’m home all day and can watch her. And see if I add some on top of her salad and a little to the dusting for her bugs, if that helps.

Today so far she has eaten 4 small dubias and 2 wax worms. So not a lot but something Atleast. I also gave her a bath and she drank a bit of water, so I feel a bit better.
 

xp29

BD.org Addict
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
You will still have to watch the dubias to some degree. Those jokers can squeeze into place to hide that you would swear theres no way.
 

xp29

BD.org Addict
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
But all in all sounds like your pn the right track :)
 

Andi_Braun

Member
Original Poster
Update: have been treating coccidia and parasites for around 2 weeks now. Eats some now but still only 5-10 bsfl or small dubia a day, but that’s better then the not eating for days at a time and eating only a couple bugs a day when she would. Looks skinny, but she is now going into shedding.

She is has gained only 6 grams in last month that I have had her, and 3 of those have been in the last week. (Only ways 20 grams)

Small improvements, but still feel that this has a long way to go. What worry’s me is my female that’s almsot a month younger and was smaller when I got them, is now more then 2x her size.
 

xp29

BD.org Addict
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Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
They need a ton of protein as babies, it directly effects their growth rate, once she starts eating she should catch up.
 

Andi_Braun

Member
Original Poster
I figure even if she don’t catch up and is a little smaller it’s not a big deal as long as she is healthy.
She still doesn’t have a appetite to eat all at once. She gets into a bowl eats one or 2 and bask and repeats this every 2-3 hours while lights are on. And then I remove bowl a hour and a half before lights out.

Her stools are back to daily and solid. And urate not red/pink anymore now they are a weird cream color.
 

xp29

BD.org Addict
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
You could try giving her the carnivore critical care. I think you can get it on Amazon.If not maybe from a vet. Also you could try silkworms or hornworms. Silkworms are one of the best staple feeders, they can be hard to get though, and they grow very fast. Hornworms are great for hydration, but also grow very fast. Either you would have to feed off very quickly or they will get to big for a baby.
 

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Clapton is acclimating okay I think. He's quick as lightning so I'm not sure how much I should bring him out of his house yet. He's not at all interested in his salad though. I wonder if I should change what I'm giving him. Least he's eating his crickets.

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