Afraid of Crickets?

[only1alex]

I am a new grandma to Alex. A 2 month old Beardie (Dad's is my 11 year old son). When we got Alex a gift from Mom of course. Alex wouldn't eat! After much research I found out that Alex was in fact COLD! . Finally a week later I got his tank to the degree he wanted it. In the pet store they used a 50 watt basking bulb. We use a 100 watt. Same size tank just a whole lot more AC and breezes. Now, to our situation. Alex was eating about 10 crickets a sitting 3 times a day. "Guy at the pet store" suggested that I go to the next size to cut down on price and quanity of purchases. Not a problem. So, I have my son dust the "BIGGER" dinner and when we normally would put crickets in Alex ran after them and munch, munch, munch! Not this time, Alex was ready then when my son put the bigger cricket in to our surprise Alex jumped and ran and everytime the cricket got close Alex would run away. Alex finally got on the large rock we have and has not moved. When the cricket got on the rock and close enough for Alex to see. Alex jumped off and ran. Has anyone every heard of a Beadie afraid of a cricket?? Especially after eating so many LITTLE ones. Well, off to the pet store I will go purchasing the little ones for now. I really love this little guy/gal. Hasn't shown the signs yet to know if guy or gal. And thank you in advance for taking your time to help me understand my grandbaby ALEX.

 

[LJean]

I have heard of baby dragons being afraid of crickets (on this site). A strange thing to me, but apparently does happen, LOL What size were these (larger) crickets? Being still a baby, you wouldn't want to give him bugs too big for him anyway. They can become impacted. General rule is no bigger than the space between their eyes (when young).

Welcome!

 

[VBergem]

My little baby is afraid of crickets too. He even runs from the 1/4" crickets! Picture me now; dragon in one hand, tweezers in the other, standing over a tub of crickets. I'm chasing them down with the tweezers and bringing them up to his mouth for him to gobble down!! What won't we do for the dragons we love? I hope he starts chasing them on his own soon. People aren't as well adapted for chasing crickets. I will say my reflexes have improved greatly.

 

[sixxmum]

This happened with one of mine for a while. I went back to the smallest size and increased his basking and he got over it. Silly little beasties

 

[LJean]

Well see there? LOL I knew I wasn't crazy for thinking I have read a few times that some dragons are afraid of those crickets.

I must admit, I am too. Have always been afraid of bugs, LOL. That is why I switched to worms. Phoenix worms, wax worms, butter worms, super worms (for older beardies) etc.

Just my way of saying you have options in case he decides he doesn't like those hopping crickets.

 

[VBergem]

Well, he does love to munch them once I've caught them for him. I have about 500 crickets to go through. I think they'll get too big for him before he eats them all. After that, I'm going to try silk worms.

 

[gp_drags]

My frilled dragon is very afraid of crickets. If I dump all the crickets in at once he'll run from them and glass dance. If I dump a few at a time in he'll eat normally.

 

[only1alex]

I really do thank all of you for helping me with Alex's situation. Alex still doesn't like the bigger crickets. I really think that after this batch of crickets we are going to change to something that Grandma isn't afraid of like worms. And, then both Alex and Grandma won't be afraid of his dinner.

 

[momtothreeboys]

LOL. I did not know they could be afraid of their meals. Good to know when they get older you can do worms as well. It seems much simpler.

Jennifer

 

[only1alex]

Happy to report that Alex is eating anything that moves now. I took the advice of my mother who has not idea about dragons. My mother said "Leave one in there until it gets hungry, It won't starve when food is walking around, and make sure you have more when it does eat." Sure enough Alex eyed one while I was cleaning his cage and MUNCH!. I added another and MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH! For the first couple of days I would only give him one at a time. Now, I can put two or three.

Thank you so much for your support

 

[VBergem]

I'm also happy to report that my Odin is now hunting crickets on his own. He relishes them actually. It's nice to not have to stand there catching crickets with tweezers and feeding him. Whew! He's also wanting to explore outside of his viv now. Makes me a bit nervous, but he's soooo darn cute!