6 week old barely eating...(got him May 10th)

[Sherri]

Hi,
I did a search but it turned up so many with differing opinions that I need fresh opinions.

We got our little guy (Razzle) on May 10th...he was 6 weeks old yesterday and 8 1/4".

The first day he ate about 20 Reptiworms (small size) so I was pleased
The second day only about 14...
Now the last few days maybe 7 or 8, likely less on one of the days He has a poop each day and some urate, although I know he is a little dehydrated but we are giving him baths to help with that.

Also, the first 2 days he licked water drops off my finger and since Thursday he won't do it again.

OK, I am officially worried, I thought he would start out slow and begin eating more, not the opposite.

Right now I only have Reptiworms (collard greens and squash, but he does not eat them yet) but Hornworms, Silkworms and Dubias are on their way next week....hoping the variety will help.

So...what is the opinion on this? Oh, he LOVES to come out on us...will climb on our hand from his viv and rarely has stress marks, they definately go away when he is exploring. (We never put him down, he just rides our hand around and hates to go back when it is time)

He is active in his viv, basks well, goes where it is cool when he wants, and also gaped for about 10 minutes yesterday while basking...temp was just under 109 but he seemed really happy...all perked up reaching toward the light etc. That is the only day he has done the gaping thing. Is that ok for him to gape for so long?

Sorry for the novel, I just wanted to give as much info as possible
Thank you!
Sherri

 

[Adama]

Gaping is good...he's getting the right temps. If he's getting too hot, he should move. No worries there. What kind of UVB is he getting? If it's not properly set, he may not be getting the energy he needs to metabolize.

Also, he may be starting a first shed.

 

[Sherri]

Thank you...his UVB is a Reptisun 10. He can get anywhere from 12" to 3" from it. The reptisun is behind the basking rock and about 9" from him while basking. He basks waaay more than he goes up to the UVB but he does go for short bursts each day. I think he will go more as he gets older.

He had just finished a shed when we got him...a few flakes on his sides but they have been gone a couple of days now. No sign of the next shed yet.

Should I be doing something aggressive about his eating? Like trying to give him baby food or something?
Just don't know what is *normal* or not :/

Thanks,
Sherri

 

[Adama]

I'd give it a couple more days before doing anything radical. They change eating habits a lot. I would recommend having his basking spot covered by the UVB as well, even if you have to shift it. They should be getting a lot of UVB as they need it to metabolize calcium. Are his crickets dusted with calcium?

 

[lauraj1055]

You are worrying WAY too much... I know you are over anxious because of what happened to Razz #1, but you are doing fine. Don't start force feeding him baby food. If he is eating, good he is doing fine. He will start eating, you have only had him 5 days... Maybe you are stressing him out LOL... Give him a chance. If he starts looking sick, lethargic, or doesn't want to bask and hides in the cool end of the tank, then there is something to worry about. Right now he is just trying to adjust to his new home. *Breathe*

 

[Gail]

I have to agree with Laura, you are worrying too much. It common for them to eat really well at first then slow down, Jupiter did that then took nearly 2 weeks to start eating proper.
You might not like this but I would give him at least 3 days of NO handling, except for bathing. No snuggling after, nothing. Get him in the bath then immediately back in his cage afterward.
Just because he doesn't have stress marks doesn't mean he isn't stressed. He really needs time to jus chill and adjust, hard to do with hands on him all the time.

 

[Sherri]

Thank you Laura and Gail
Ok, 2 weeks before he ate normal? Then time and patience it is lol

I can do the hands off thing especially if it will help And, I am only curious about behavior...when he comes to the glass and we open the door and lay our hand in front of him, he will take a few seconds and then put his front legs on our hand and then climb up our arm so I thought it was ok...

But...I guess there could be a zillion reasons for this and I want to do what you experienced owners (slaves) have learned is best

Yep, I know I am worrying too much Your right, it is hard after working so hard to save one and then losing them. Also, he was 11" and 3 mo old when we got him. He was eating out of our hand right away etc. and I need to really realize how different it must be with such a young beardie.

We will give him a few days to chill and watch....not to sound naive...but especially when he is at the glass watching us, should we still go up to it and say *hello* and then leave, or ignore it? IOW, just his bath...back to his home and that is enough for a while?

Thank you so much! Our last guy was such a voracious eater until the seizures I was not prepared for this. I feel all better now LOL

 

[lauraj1055]

You don't have to ignore your beardie.. Give him lots of love. Just give him a few days to chill... talk to him, pick him up for a few seconds to pet him, and give him his beardie love. Then let him go back to his viv to chill and get used to it. In a few months he will look like this:

:wink:

 

[Sherri]

In a few months he will look like this:

:wink:

LOL, I have loved that pic since the first time I saw it! To tell it true...I thought *he* was a she... and pregnant the first time I saw it! :lol: Then I read he was yours and thought what a happy beardie and such a wonderful slave you are LOL

Ok, thanks...quick little *we know you are there but we are giving you your space and letting you get comfy in your home* and...we know you love to watch us so that is what we will let you do for a while!

Sherri

 

[lauraj1055]

It's all going to be ok! You just had a bad experience with Razz #1... Live and learn, and enjoy your beardie. They are stronger than you think :mrgreen: