Beardie decided he doesn't want apples anymore

[Petethebeardie]

Hi, I am changing my Beardie's diet to include more fiber. He ate a few apples at first but now he will not eat them. He eats everything else but apples....So how should I feed him squash and what kind since that is what ill try next.

 

[CooperDragon]

Squash is a very healthy option for them. I've had good luck with several kinds of squash. I've used spaghetti squash, pumpkin, acorn squash, and my favorites and usual are yellow squash and zucchini which I chop into small worm shaped pieces. They are very good on top of a salad.

 

[SDragon]

Cooper is right about squash, butternut is very good also.

Zucchini is quite high in phosphorus (compared to calcium) so you would want to dust it in calcium

Have you looked at the beautiful dragons nutrition chart, it's a good way of understanding what you should aim for and what foods should be used and avoided to achieve that.

 

[Petethebeardie]

Cooper is right about squash, butternut is very good also.

Zucchini is quite high in phosphorus (compared to calcium) so you would want to dust it in calcium

Have you looked at the beautiful dragons nutrition chart, it's a good way of understanding what you should aim for and what foods should be used and avoided to achieve that.

I'll google that, but if I can't find it can you link it here? please and thank you

 

[Petethebeardie]

http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutritionframeset.html

is that it?

 

[CooperDragon]

Yep, that's it. A very helpful list to go by. Keep in mind that variety is key. I like to put together 2-3 things for each salad using a base of one of the main dark greens like turnip, collard or mustard.

 

[Petethebeardie]

Yep, that's it. A very helpful list to go by. Keep in mind that variety is key. I like to put together 2-3 things for each salad using a base of one of the main dark greens like turnip, collard or mustard.

UPDATE: hi, his salad now consists of spaghetti squash, collard greens, butterworms, and bearded dragon bites. I also bought tile to replace the walnut shells. and a replacement battery for his thermometer. I will let you know how he likes the spaghetti squash.

 

[CooperDragon]

Those sound like good improvements to me. Please do keep me updated on his progress.

 

[Petethebeardie]

Those sound like good improvements to me. Please do keep me updated on his progress.

Hi, He is eating the squash, and also his basking spot is 100F degrees I am using a 150watt bulb so I don't think I should go higher. what do you think

EDIT: it is actually 110F not 100, just took awhile for thermometer to adjust

 

[CooperDragon]

I'm glad to hear he likes his squash. 110 is an OK basking level to have as long as there is a gradient to allow for self regulation. How high up is your basking light and how wide is the area of basking temperature?

 

[Petethebeardie]

I'm glad to hear he likes his squash. 110 is an OK basking level to have as long as there is a gradient to allow for self regulation. How high up is your basking light and how wide is the area of basking temperature?

it is very high up, he never gets burned and other parts of the tank are up to 20 degrees cooler. and he can hide in fake leaves which he does often to cool down.

 

[Petethebeardie]

Here are pictures of the finished tank, he has pooped 3 times this week after starting the squash! it is really amazing what all that fiber can do. and now the walnut shells don't get stuck in his food lol.

here are some pictures.

I am replacing the background with something very benign and plain because the real life background made him crazy and try to jump at it... so currently there is no back drop in the tank yet.

http://postimg.org/image/3kewsikd3/
http://postimg.org/image/lh69xtxyt/