Growth Spurt

[Runsnoopy]

Is there such thing as a growth spurt with a beardie? My beardie usually eat 4-6 large or 12-15 smal/medium crickets plus veggie. I switch to hornworms this week and he was only eating 3-4 medium size hornworms. Yesterday, he had 6 medium crickets, 50 medium Phoenix worms and 2 hornworms plus veggie. Today, he ate 8 good size hornworms and veggie. Anyone know why the eating have changed o drastically?

 

[Beardednoob]

Seems like the diet has become more varied. Yesterday Thor devoured 113 feeders. This isn't a bad thing it is a good thing, as you are adding more nutrition to the dragons diet, however do not over do it with the hornworms as they are high in fat.

To answer your question and I cannot be 100% positive but, I think it is a reflection of a more proper diet if nothing else has changed. As well as his stomach may have stretched out some. How big is he from nose to tail tip?
Keep up the good work. :wink:

 

[Runsnoopy]

I need to take him out and measure. Are repti-worms ok to use as a main feed vs. The hornworms that's high in fat? Crickets are so expensive at the store plus smelly and noisy.

 

[Beardednoob]

I need to take him out and measure. Are repti-worms ok to use as a main feed vs. The hornworms that's high in fat? Crickets are so expensive at the store plus smelly and noisy.

Only the full grown crickets are noisy.
Reptiworms are a good staple for younger dragons however once the dragons grows and needs more this will become a terror on your wallet.

 

[Runsnoopy]

He's about 7 months and close to 13". I can't get him to be still and flat for me to do a real measure. I measured him when he was lying on his log and it was close to 13". Is 7 months considered a juvi and what is the best staple food to feed him? I notice on-line orders have multiple size crickets whereas the Petstore only have 2-small (pinheads) or large. Knowing that only adult crickets make the sound, I may try an on-line order to see how it goes. Is there a way to reduce the smell and what is the ideal temperature to keep crickets alive? Our whether is finally getting cooler and I was hoping to be able to keep weeks worth in the cricket cage inside and the rest either in the garage or screen in porch.

 

[Beardednoob]

He's about 7 months and close to 13". I can't get him to be still and flat for me to do a real measure. I measured him when he was lying on his log and it was close to 13". Is 7 months considered a juvi and what is the best staple food to feed him? I notice on-line orders have multiple size crickets whereas the Petstore only have 2-small (pinheads) or large. Knowing that only adult crickets make the sound, I may try an on-line order to see how it goes. Is there a way to reduce the smell and what is the ideal temperature to keep crickets alive? Our whether is finally getting cooler and I was hoping to be able to keep weeks worth in the cricket cage inside and the rest either in the garage or screen in porch.

Crickets are a good staple since they have a good protein content. Roaches (feeder roaches) make a good staple to as they also have a good protein content, there are definite plus sides to having roaches, no bad smell, no noise. However allot of people prefer not to bring roaches in their house. But, understand these are not your typical cockroach.
I am currently breeding my own turkistan roaches, they are pretty easy and can be started from a small quantity but, take awhile to get moving along.

If you prefer crickets, you can get a second small enclosure as they cannot climb glass. I would suggest to buy online from somewhere good. Keep them in their enclosure with egg crate, feed them the same salad items you are feeding your dragon. I also use nature zone total bites too, I see far less deaths in the cricket numbers when using that product. It is a gut load/food/hydration all in one. For a 13 inch dragon you will want to get either 2 or 3 week crickets. 2-3 week crickets in my opinion really don't smell and they will never chirp.

 

[Runsnoopy]

What is the size for a 2-3 week cricket? Options were 1/4", 1/2", 3/4" and adult.

 

[Beardednoob]

You will want the 1/4 as they will grow. This is about a 2 week cricket, the 3 week would be more ideal. Where are you getting them from?
http://www.nyworms.com/cricketchart.htm

 

[Beardednoob]

http://www.mulberryfarms.com/
Has 1000, 3 week crickets for 19.95$

They should be about the 3/8 inch size, more ideal for a 13 inch dragon (generally)

 

[Runsnoopy]

I'm still searching on line to see who have the most variety and cost. Is 13" a good size for an eight month old beardie?

 

[Beardednoob]

I'm still searching on line to see who have the most variety and cost. Is 13" a good size for an eight month old beardie?

This is hard question to answer without seeing the dragon. All dragons grow differently as individuals. :wink:

 

[Runsnoopy]

So today, all he ate was 5 medium crickets which I had to hand feed at different times and ate some of his veggie. Is it common that they eat like a pig one day and hardly anything the next?

 

[Beardednoob]

So today, all he ate was 5 medium crickets which I had to hand feed at different times and ate some of his veggie. Is it common that they eat like a pig one day and hardly anything the next?

it wouldn't be new but, I would turn and ask basking temperature and UV source.

 

[Beardednoob]

Oh and bathing. lOL almost forgot :wink:

 

[Runsnoopy]

He ate 15 large crickets today. UVB is on and UVA is reading 95-97, I just turned on the heat emitter too to try and raise the temp to 100 or so.