8 1/2 wk old b.d. won't eat (4 days) - panic time over, he's

[einsteindragon]

cancel - he's eating the worms now

 

[vickson420]

Well lets not cancel just yet.You said he is 8 weeks old?What type of worms are you feeding him?What are his temps and how are you measuring them?What tyoe of UVB do you have for him?All of these things can affect his appetite and health greatly so you may want to just go over his set up quickly to make sure everything is in order.It is possible it was just a little relocation stress but better safe then sorry,right?

 

[einsteindragon]

I bought phoenix worms for him. We had just received them from Fedex. He wasn't interested in themin a bowl, but when I put both in a box, he ate them. We couldn't get crickets for him where we live (they will come in today to PetSmart so I will be there at 1000 sharp.) I was able to find another source here, but they were way too big. I was worried when he wouldn't eat, because I knew he had to be hungry.

His history - Got him on Sunday and that evening, his legs started twitching. Breeder had them under "floodlights", which I believe now must be mercury vapor. I put a stronger light bulb in his cage and brought the temp on one side of his cage close to 90, which stopped the twitching. He hung out on his heat rock (I know, bad thing, it's gone now)Offered Einstein rep-cal pellets, greens, canned crickets (cut-up), different fruits and vegetables - didn't want any of it. We misted him daily, which he seemed to enjoy.

Habitat - right now he has a 150W basking light. Temp on side with lamp is about 100 degrees. Opposite side of tank is 85. I have stick-on thermometers in there now. UVB light is coming today (hopefully). I moved his cage near the window yesterday in the sunlight, but I don't know if the UV rays will penetrate.

He ate about 35 small phoenix worms last night and 4 mealworms. It filled him up because he wouldn't eat any more that were offered.

He seems very lazy this morning, just wants to lie on the cool side of the change, though he perks up when you pick him up. He ate few worms that my daughter gave him. I want him to eat veggies, etc in the morning, and insects in the afternoon (too much distraction for kids during the morning routine). I put a bowl with greens, sweet potato, banana, along with apple-juice moistened pellets, but nothing yet. He licked the banana several times when I put it in front of his mouth.

Suggestions on getting him interested in his pellets again? That's what he ate at the breeder. I don't remember if they were in a bowl or not.

 

[vickson420]

Well first thing I have some concerns on is the temps.It sounds like its way too hot for him in there which is one reason why he isnt eating as he should.He needs a cool end of 75-80F and a basking SURFACE temp of 100-110F.If your measuring air temps with stick ons at 100 then the basking is way too hot.Also stick ons cna be up to 20 degrees off so it may be even hotter considering that is very large heat bulb you are using.I recommend you get a digital thermometer with a probe ASAP and I also recommend you give him a daily bath to make sure he isnt dehydrated.What size tank is he in?The shaking is from lack of calcium or UVB probably didnt get enough of either at the breeder and if the only thing he ate was pellets and veggie then he was seriously in need of protien as those pellets are not meant to be a staple but a supplement.PW's are great because they are high in calcium and he is going to need that.Do you have calcium and vitamins to dust the crix with?