NekahRae
Member
A few days ago I was given an eight year old beardie (male) whose previous owners felt they were somewhat neglecting him. I don't have a lot of information about his previous care, but when I picked him up I noticed that he did not have a UVB light (he does now) and a heat lamp that may not have been high enough wattage for his tank. (This has also been taken care of.)
I have not had a dragon this old before (my only other one died young from gout complications) and want to make sure I'm giving him proper care. I read another thread on here with some tips, but still had some questions.
Below are images of him:
I know that loss of muscle mass and fat in common in older animals, but wanted to know if I should worry about his weight at all. He seems light when I pick him up and his legs look very skinny. I was told that he had been fed "salads", but I don't know what greens they meant. He is about 20inches long and weighs 398 grams.
In the day and a half I've had him, he's readily eaten bok choy. He's also had some superworms and is actively hunting them. I do not plan to make superworms a staple...they were the only readily available insects. Are dubia roaches an appropiate choice for an elderly dragon or is some other kind of insect better?
I'm also wondering if anyone knows what's happening with his claw. Some of his are really curled, but they do not seem to bother him. I wanted to trim them, but there doesn't appear to be a way to do so without hitting the quick. Should I just let that go or do something about them?
Any other general advice is also appreciated! While he seems to be climbing well, I am also planning to create "steps" to a basking spot in case that becomes more difficult for him.
Thank you!
I have not had a dragon this old before (my only other one died young from gout complications) and want to make sure I'm giving him proper care. I read another thread on here with some tips, but still had some questions.
Below are images of him:
I know that loss of muscle mass and fat in common in older animals, but wanted to know if I should worry about his weight at all. He seems light when I pick him up and his legs look very skinny. I was told that he had been fed "salads", but I don't know what greens they meant. He is about 20inches long and weighs 398 grams.
In the day and a half I've had him, he's readily eaten bok choy. He's also had some superworms and is actively hunting them. I do not plan to make superworms a staple...they were the only readily available insects. Are dubia roaches an appropiate choice for an elderly dragon or is some other kind of insect better?
I'm also wondering if anyone knows what's happening with his claw. Some of his are really curled, but they do not seem to bother him. I wanted to trim them, but there doesn't appear to be a way to do so without hitting the quick. Should I just let that go or do something about them?
Any other general advice is also appreciated! While he seems to be climbing well, I am also planning to create "steps" to a basking spot in case that becomes more difficult for him.
Thank you!