Beardie worries!

[bandit27]

Hi,

Hopefully someone can help me!

I am a new Bearded Dragon owner. I have 1 male called Rocky and 1 female called Gizmo. I was told they are about 18 months old. When i got them they were in the same vivarium (3ft), and Rocky kept biting and mounting Gizmo. I discussed this with my local reptile centre who said they shouldn't be together as he will distress her due to mating her constantly, and also the viv was not big enough for the 2 of them. I decided that it would be best to get a new viv and seperate them. Gizmo now seems alot happier an moves around alot more. However.... they have never really been interested in food. When i brought them home i gave them some hoppers to settle them into their new surroundings, these went down well, with them both eating 3 or 4 each. I have offered them hoppers everyday since an they may only eat 1 or none at all. They also have fresh greens every day, and have also put mealworms in the viv's, Rocky is the only one who will eat them, and then it will only be 3 or 4.

I have been told they should be eating at least 3 or 4 hoppers twice a day. Is that right. I have read and been told so much, but none of it is ever the same advice.

I am thinking that it could be due to all the changes that they have endured.

Other than this they are a fantastic addition to our family an my boys love them.

Thanks in advance for any help that anyone may have

Kerry

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hello Kerry and welcome to the forum!

You didn't mention how long you have had your two new beardies, but they may just be going through a bit of relocation stress. They will do this when moved to a new environment. They may also be having a hard time trying to adjust to being without one another.. Don't get me wrong, separating them was the best thing you could have done. 18 months is a long time to live together, then to be separated and a new home as well. Give them some time, they will come around and start eating for you.
At 18 months, they are considered adults. An adults diet should consist of 80% greens/veggies and 20% protein/live feeders. Generally 30-50 live feeders a week is good for the adults. Those numbers can be spaced out throughout the week according to how often your beardies like to eat.
The mealworms don't really have much nutrition as a staple feeder, but are fine for adults as an occassional treat.
Hope this helps some!
Enjoy your two new friends!

 

[bandit27]

Dawn,

Thanks for the advice, that is what i was hoping someone would say and that i hadn't done the wrong thing in seperating them

I got them on the 6th May, so only had them just over a week, but i want them to be happy. I have read about them having "Happy colours".....well since they been seperated Gizmo has a lot more yellow and Rocky will look a lot greener too on occasions, hopefully these are good signs.

Thanks again
Kerry

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Yes, separating them was a good call on your part... so don't worry about that.
Just give them a little more time and they will start eating. Relocation stress can last several days to even several weeks.
Oh and happy colors are always a good thing.

 

[bandit27]

thanks again it's nice to have a bit of reassurance

Kerry

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

You're welcome!

 

[bandit27]

I found out what the problem was, she was pregnant and has just laid about 15 eggs

 

[valcash]

So glad you separated them.