Baby Beardie Barely Eating

[hgrimes]

Hi everyone! I got my first baby bearded dragon 4 days ago, and she has barely eaten. Within the first 24 hours, she ate maybe 5 crickets. She became really lethargic after 24 hours. I noticed her temps were off, so I got a better basking light, and her temps are good now. 95-105 in the hot side, 80-90 in the cold side during the day. On day 3,
I gave her a few pieces of strawberry, which she ate, but that was all that day. Yesterday (day 4) she finally ate again after two days of not eating, and she had 8-10 crickets. She hasn't really touched her greens at all. I know she's adjusting to her new home, but I'm a worried parent and want to make sure she is getting the nutrition she needs!

I have given her two baths (one every other day), and during bath time yesterday, she dipped her head in the water and was taking big gulps of water. It was honestly adorable; I had never seen a beardie do that. I am thinking about getting some silkworms, soldier larvae, and dubai beetles as well to see if those will entice her more than crickets. Does anyone have any advice for me??

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi everyone! I got my first baby bearded dragon 4 days ago, and she has barely eaten. Within the first 24 hours, she ate maybe 5 crickets. She became really lethargic after 24 hours. I noticed her temps were off, so I got a better basking light, and her temps are good now. 95-105 in the hot side, 80-90 in the cold side during the day. On day 3,
I gave her a few pieces of strawberry, which she ate, but that was all that day. Yesterday (day 4) she finally ate again after two days of not eating, and she had 8-10 crickets. She hasn't really touched her greens at all. I know she's adjusting to her new home, but I'm a worried parent and want to make sure she is getting the nutrition she needs!

I have given her two baths (one every other day), and during bath time yesterday, she dipped her head in the water and was taking big gulps of water. It was honestly adorable; I had never seen a beardie do that. I am thinking about getting some silkworms, soldier larvae, and dubai beetles as well to see if those will entice her more than crickets. Does anyone have any advice for me??

Yes the BSFL and dubias are a great idea --- please make sure your getting your surface basking temp w/ a digital probe thermometer--- 105-110 for a baby ---- please tell me what your using for a UVB? Coil or a long tube fixture? This is extremely important

 

[hgrimes]

Yes the BSFL and dubias are a great idea --- please make sure your getting your surface basking temp w/ a digital probe thermometer--- 105-110 for a baby ---- please tell me what your using for a UVB? Coil or a long tube fixture? This is extremely important

I currently have a UVB coil. I ordered the wrong size for my long tube fixture, so I'm waiting for my long UVB light to come in. The current basking temp at the top of the spot is 105.

 

[KarrieRee]

I currently have a UVB coil. I ordered the wrong size for my long tube fixture, so I'm waiting for my long UVB light to come in. The current basking temp at the top of the spot is 105.

Ok the brand and bulb you have for the UVB coming please-- T 5 or a T 8? Distance and placement will be determined by the screen on the tank -- when are you expecting the bulb?

 

[Groggyfroggie]

Welcome!! She's doing okay, cuz babies that just got home experience stress and it's common for them not to eat as much (or not at all). It's only day 4 after all. Besides getting the temperature and lightings right, just keep offering her insects (no bigger than the space between her eyes) and rinsed greens.

I've never seen my beardie drink from his bath! That sounds adorable.