Having a hard time hunting.

[Muse73]

I just got my little beardie this last thursday. He was an adoption (very small adoption fee) from petco.

He is a special case because he suffered a scratch to his left eye which caused it to swell, so petco took him to a vet in their area and they treated it with antibiotics for several weeks. I called the vet they used and they said that they thought the eye should heal with no issues. They also did a complete exam on him while he was there. Checked out fine.

Right now it is still a bit swollen, and he can't really see out of it. I think it might be more that he is babying it because every now and then I notice its actually more open.

My issue- Willy (his name for now) if he turns out to be female we will change it to Wilma.

The problem is that he wont hunt. I have given him a container to feed in, and put down dark shelf liner in it so that the crickets will be easier to see. He still will not hunt. He will eat the crickets when I hand feed him, in fact he is a little piggy in that. I just am afraid that he will get used to being hand fed and never be able to hunt.

Anyone else had this issue? If so did your beardie learn to hunt when they could see better? Or are you still hand feeding.

I should note I don't mind at all hand feeding him, but I worry about him not getting enough excercise by not hunting.

 

[Muse73]

Update:
Well he is kind of hunting now, but he is now shedding so his appetite is low anyway. Still eating 20 crickets every meal (3 times a day). Plus his veggies, which he seems to really love. So I guess I won't worry for now.

His eye is still improving a lot. I just ordered him some phoenix worms, and hoping that satisfies his hunting instinct without the frustration of hitting his nose on the glass all the time.

 

[disturb3d0n3]

Aww props to you for taking on a special needs beardie! handicapped reptiles need love too! do you got any pics of Willy? We loooove pics It's fanstastic he's eating his greens! Usually that's what most people have issues with their beardies not eating. Definitely sway away from hand feeding, as he will become dependent on you. I'd let him have his natural instinct and let him keep trying to hunt. You can always pull some of the legs off the crickets and make them slower for him. I'm sure with your love and care he will thrive to be a happy little hunter. Keep us updated!

 

[mrsphate]

Mine also can not hunt. He is 7 years old. We just got him. something previously happened to his eye also, it is swollen up too. I have to hand feed him or aim his shoulders to grab foods. Crickets he couldn't eat at all, he just laid down. yours may be like mine he seems to not have depth perception. They are just extra special so I don't mind feeding my Chuck. I hope your Willy's eye gets better soon.