Adopted Beardie...small for age.help!

[kbro]

As long as it's the space between her eyes, if she seems to have trouble pooing then you may want to drop it back down a size. She is eating her greens lol well nibbling is a start that's good to hear she has to get used to them. I've never fed spinach I use the nutrition chart Tonja gave on the first page and stick with the green and black items, and once in a blue moon a blue item , I just am a worry wort lol. Of course she likes what she shouldn't have, I love salty things but I'm supposed to do a low sodium diet

 

[seth]

Hi, I have a Bearded Dragon who is 12 inches long, and She's been that size for a few years. And She had a son who was 4-6 inches when he was a few years old so don't worry about the Bearded Dragon.

Hope I helped.

 

[infinite]

As long as it's the space between her eyes, if she seems to have trouble pooing then you may want to drop it back down a size. She is eating her greens lol well nibbling is a start that's good to hear she has to get used to them. I've never fed spinach I use the nutrition chart Tonja gave on the first page and stick with the green and black items, and once in a blue moon a blue item , I just am a worry wort lol. Of course she likes what she shouldn't have, I love salty things but I'm supposed to do a low sodium diet

I will definitely monitor to see if she develops any issues in the poo department. Any change will be evident as she is very regular, almost like clock work!!

Yeah, I normally follow the "Approved Foods List" but I wanted to see which greens she would eat with more passion . I also figured that since Repti Worms are a big part of her diet that the calcium within them and supplements would balance things out for the occasional deviation I too am a worry wort... no shame in that!!

 

[infinite]

Hi, I have a Bearded Dragon who is 12 inches long, and She's been that size for a few years. And She had a son who was 4-6 inches when he was a few years old so don't worry about the Bearded Dragon.

Hope I helped.

Hey Seth,

Thanks for sharing your experience. Dragons definitely develop and different rates, however the numbers that you posted seem extremely small. Are you sure that you have a Bearded Dragon and not a Rankin Dragon? They are much smaller and based on what you report, that may be the case unless diet and environment have stunted growth. Wow, a 4-6 in" adult? Were the hatchlings super tiny as well?

 

[mrspoodie]

I am so happy that this thread has been helpful to others!!!

It has been quite some time since I have posted. Things have been going absolutely great with my little one, I am happy to report.

But before I dive into that, I will first respond to mrspoodie post.

It is absolutely great that you adopted your dragon from what sounds like a unfortunate situation. I certainly understand the dynamic of adopting from a friend all to well . Great that you are providing proper care now! To be honest, at 16" it seems to me that your dragon is actually in range? They range from about 16-22 inches and there are the really large ones that can go a bit above that. Of course I am surely no expert considering... but I can't wait til my dragon reaches 16 in. lol!! It is all relative, isn't it? Please post some pics to this thread so that we can get an idea of size.

Are you mostly concerned with weight? I would love to see a pic of your dragon! Your dragon seems to be happy, which is of utmost importance.

Fred

Hi again! I have to say, I love your beardie photos. Your dragon looks so happy and healthy! And I laughed & laughed at the most recent ones of her "standing" totally vertical. So adorable!!!

I'm not really concerned with Beans' weight. The vet said for his size, his weight was just fine. His arms & legs are nice and buff. :lol: I think I just got bummed out seeing how large other beardies can be. But again, I'm sure his lack of nutrition etc the first three years of his life caused him to be on the low side of average. I'm cool with it. Honestly I'm kind of angry with him right now. LOL. He has been SOOOO cranky since coming out of brumation a couple months ago! He used to snuggle and sit on my shoulder while I walked all over the house. Now he hates being held and tries to jump out of my hands or off my shoulder. Stinker! I think I might be annoying him with constantly trying to handle him when he doesn't want it. :? Anyway. Here are a couple photos since you asked to see an idea of his size.

In this one you can see his size in relation to his log hide (just the standard one from Petco I'm sure, he had it when we adopted him). Sexy legs! LOL!! :lol: This was after we'd had him a few weeks and I'd gotten rid of the sand but not gotten tiles yet.


Here's one from right this minute. You can hopefully see his size in relation to the tiles (they're 11.5" square).



I feel so sorry for him living in a 12" deep, 24" high tank his whole life, but I'm super excited because I finally found an ExoTerra viv with the front-opening doors on Craigslist, with complete setup for $75! I can't wait to set up Beans' new house!!

 

[AHBD]

Hi there....he's definitely looking alert + healthy. Looks like a sweet boy, too ! You're doing a great job with him, he's in a good place now. As for the post about a 4" beardie adult, that is impossible....they hatch out at 4" . Maybe a tiny Rankin's, but that would have even been very small for an adult Rankin's which are about 10-11" full size.

 

[Tonja]

Man alive has she grown. She is absolutely beautiful. She is about the color of my Emily. Keep up the great work with her. She looks like a sweetheart and soon will outgrow that tree. I love seeing her progress and I have to say it...I TOLD YOU SO :lol: that she would grow...they all grow at their own rate so don't worry about it. She looks to be doing great!!!!! BTW Happy 4th of July!

 

[wzlqwen]

Hello, just caught this thread. I definitely think your beardie CAN grow how much remains to be seen. We took in a very malnourished beardie last October. He was 2 years old and BODY length was 3.5"! He had no tail and was missing a foot due to being housed with a larger beardie. He had no UV ever, iffy temps, red light, lettuce, crickets, occasional calcium powder and pellets. Most of the people I spoke with said he would not grow, if he lived very long. He now is 9" long......keep in mind no tail, is active and a very good eater. We pumped the repti worms, horn worms and butterworms in the beginning, along with salad and since he loves to nibble on the pellets so I give those as well. Hi will eat like there is no tomorrow, but he keeps shedding and growing! Good luck with him, he is very lucky to have someone who cares!

 

[infinite]

Hi Everyone, OP here.

My family and I have been away on vacation. Our beardie was kept at our local Herp Center (East Bay Vivarium) for about 6 nights. Oh boy, when we got her home she was noticeably skinnier, but still healthy looking... thankfully. It seems she experienced some stress, understandably.

After a week now, she is back to her normal eating and attacking all dubia, crickets, salads, and the occasional supers!

As promised, here is a comparison between the first week that we got her in March/Now. She is in my wife's hand in both pics.

7/18/14

Hard to believe that it is the same dragon in both size and color. Although, I still doubt she will reach the size of Tonja's dragons for instance... I super happy that she is so much easier to hold and interact with now that she is of decent size


March/2014

 

[infinite]

She looks quite dignified in that picture, I love it! She did have some catching up to do and it seems to be going great! In the next couple of weeks I bet she will be double the size she was when you got her. I'm so happy to hear you've bonded with her now . See I told you it may take some time to bond but you would get there. She looks very healthy and happy!

I think you are right! I'd say double the size now!

 

[infinite]

Man alive has she grown. She is absolutely beautiful. She is about the color of my Emily. Keep up the great work with her. She looks like a sweetheart and soon will outgrow that tree. I love seeing her progress and I have to say it...I TOLD YOU SO :lol: that she would grow...they all grow at their own rate so don't worry about it. She looks to be doing great!!!!! BTW Happy 4th of July!

Thanks for all of your help Tonja. And yes. You were absolutely right!! I somehow missed your post. I blame the holiday and getting settled again with my lil girl