Baby Beardie prefers veggies over insects?

[Fizzgig]

I'm fairly new the the Bearded Dragons, but I've owned plenty of other reptiles(and other animals). I've done research on them, read tons of forums, and sites to be sure I could handle, and care for one correctly.

So I got a baby Beardie, his name is Patrick. He's calm, cute, active, and seems friendly. He likes to fall asleep on me for hours, and seems to be a bit clingy. (Just giving you his personality so far) I've only had him for about 3 days.

So instead of dragging this on, I'll get to the point. I got some Collard, and Mustard Greens. (Squash as well) He also get's meal worms, and crickets. He's only ate a total of 6 meal worms, and the rest he's only eaten the veggies I listed. Not because I'm only feeding him the veggies though, I've been giving him options, a bowl with meal worms, and a bowl with the veggies. He seems to prefer the veggies though, which wouldn't be so bad if he was older. But, since he's a baby I'm a little worried that he won't get the vitamins he needs. I don't want to remove the veggies either, as when I do he still refuses to eat the insects, and runs to the veggie bowl when I put it back in. I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice they could give me so he'd eat the insects instead of just veggies. Will he be fine eating mainly veggies? Should I give him more time to settle in? I'm just worried he might get sick, or worse.

Edit: He also won't eat if he catches me looking at him, it's cute and has nothing to do with this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CooperDragon]

All of them are a bit different. If he likes his veges, keep on providing them. They are a good source of nutrition. Don't reduce the veges as he knows best what he wants/needs. Instead I would try offering up some different bugs. Variety is best when it comes to food in my opinion. Try some Phoenix Worms or some small dubia roaches perhaps. Try some different ways of offering the food to try and grab his attention. He will still need his protein but maybe just isn't into crickets very much at the moment (this can change as well). Try mixing it up and see what happens.

 

[Fizzgig]

Thank you for the advice, and yea tomorrow I'm going to the pet store to see what they have. I know how important it is for them to have that protein. He won't hand feed from me, or accept anything from tweezers. He'll only go for things if they're in a bowl. But, I'll be sure to keep trying. Thanks again!

 

[CooperDragon]

If he likes going after things in a bowl, give the Phoenix Worms a shot. They're small but a very good staple bug to offer. They're a great option for young dragons.

 

[Fizzgig]

He actually ate some of his meal worms finally, he doesn't seem to like crickets, or feels he can't catch them. I'll get some Phoenix worms then as well, see if he likes them.

 

[WisePrey]

Good chance if you only had him for 3 days that he is still going through a little relocation stress. Sometimes they show it in various ways. Quite possible he will want the crickets and bugs more than greens in a week or two. Although my adult bearded dragon absolutely love greens and will run to his salad when I put it in the cage in the morning!

 

[Fizzgig]

Yea, he's now eating more bugs then he was before. Except the crickets, just worms and such. I might give up on crickets for now, and try later on when he's older. But, at least he's eating some protein.

 

[GriffinNC]

I found when I first got mine and he couldn't catch the Cricketts and small clear Container with a lid helped. I would put the Cricketts in and then stick him in there with them and pop on the lid. It's probably only a 12x6x6 container so they couldn't escape him. I still use the container now to move them to his cage. He knows when he sees it that food is coming. I put it in on its side so he can get in and he takes care of the rest. Makes dusting them with calcium easier too and less messy

 

[Daniel54]

Yeah I agree that all of them are bit different. So you should find out what he wants. Anyway, I am having a hard time in finding a Termite inspection Port Macquarie firm. I need organic services. Do you know a good company that uses only natural products for this work?