Help Please - Found Beardie in Garden

[gazzer82]

I am so glad I found this site as I am seeking some guidance.

This afternoon whilst I was hanging the washing out and I heard a rustling coming from the corner of the garden, after a closer inspection I came across a lizard and suitably crapped myself (I am in the UK, not usedmto seeing things liken that in bushes) however I finally manned up and managed to get it into a large plastic transparent storage box, as that's all I had.

After looking on the Internet I discovered it was a Bearded Dragon, so i called the RSPCA unfortunately they are very busy are won't be able to collect it until tomorrow or the day after.

So I want to make sure till then it's ok. I have grated up some carrot and put it in with him, along with some lettuce. I have also put in a small ramekin with water in it. Though as far as I can see he hasn,t touched it.

Now I have absolutely no experience with reptiles, so some guidance would be greatly appreciated. When I picked it up it was really lethargic, however after a while I guess it warmed up and started trying to get out of the box. However it's now just lying there with it's eyes closed, is that normal?

Also should I get it out of the box or anything, will it bite me or anything like that?

Help greatly appreciated!!

Cheers

Gareth

 

[gazzer82]

i have put a photo up on my mobileme for you to see if that helps?

http://gallery.me.com/gareth_jeanne#100007/Lizard

Cheers

Gareth

 

[Jasper's Mom]

Hi Gareth,

Yes, definitely a bearded dragon. From the photo he looks fairly well nourished, so it's likely that he's someone's escaped pet. You could try putting up flyers in your neighbourhood to see if anyone claims him. Otherwise, he needs to be kept warm and he would probably appreciate it if you gave him some veggies - grated squash or carrot, bok choy, swiss chard, collards, etc. Not spinach though, as it's not good for him. He'll be fine without UV for a couple of days until the RSPCA can collect him.

 

[gazzer82]

Thanks for the reply, yes I have given it some carrot and little gem but I don't think it's touched it yet.

It has been laying down still with it's eyes closed for quite a few hours now, is that normal?

 

[diamc]

Oh my goodness, what a thing to find when you were hanging up clothes! Jasper's mom is right, he actually looks pretty good. He probably escaped from someone.

He sounds very stressed and by the dark beard and tail, those are 2 other signs that he is. What type of a container do you have him placed in? It's possible that he is dehydrated so if the container is big enough, you could put something in for him with some warm water in it so perhaps he would get a drink or if large enough, take a bath in it as he may be dehydrated.

If you have a pet store near you, you could pick up some large crickets and offer a few to him.

 

[gazzer82]

Yeah wasn't what i was expecting to find, was thinking more a cat or injured bird.

It sounds awful, but at the moment he is in 3' by 3' transparent plastic storage box, I have also got the lid on, but I have drilled a load of holes in it (when he wasn't in there) so he should have enough air/ventilation, I wasn't sure if it took it off he would get out or not, it's only about a foot tall.

It was the only thing I had to put him in.

I don't think there's enough space to put something in there for him to bath in, I have put a low glass ramikin full of water in, but I don't think he has drunk any.

I will have to look into it tomorrow to see if I can get some crickets, not got a clue where I would get them from locally, oh well, google maps will know.

I do have a bath, so could potentially put him in there is that's better?

 

[ziggy23]

That's so great of you to rescue him.

He would probably appreciate someplace to hide as well, a small cardboard box with a hole cut into it would work in a jiffy.

He's probably really stressed out, so he could be napping it off.

They're not normally aggressive. Their trick to survival is looking intimidating. They'll give you a clear warning before they bite. Like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKR0qi1ZLgo as long as he doesn't look like that, you'll be fine to touch him. Many enjoy cuddling and being handled, that's why their such a popular pet.

 

[gazzer82]

Ok well I think i will let him sleep it off tonight and maybe see if he minds being handled tomorrow.

I have cut the end off a small shoe box and popped it in there for him, I have taken another photo which is here http://gallery.me.com/gareth_jeanne/100007/Bearded%20Dragon

Is it wrong that I want to keep him, kinda like the little guy. Might ask the RSPCA what happens if no one claims him.

Cheers

Gareth

 

[KaylaElizabethM]

One thing you should think about is heat: he looks cold!
Maybe put a lamp near him or something? They will be pretty lethargic if they aren't heated.

 

[diamc]

That's why I asked the size of the container because I was thinking about what you could use to help heat him up. You don't have a larger container, like a big tupperware storage type, do you? Do you have a desk lamp? If you have either of those, you could cut a hole in the top and use a desk lamp with a low wattage household bulb like a 25 watt that shines through the hole to help him get warm. Another thing you could do is take a tube sock, put some uncooked rice in it, tie a knot in the end and heat in the microwave for about 20 seconds, test the temp by the side of your cheek, should feel quite warm but not hot, then put the sock in the bottom of the container and lay him on top of it. That would help warm him up a little and you can reheat it as many times as needed. Also, the bottom that he is laying on now looks slippery, you could put a hand towel or even a wash cloth on the bottom to help make him more comfy and more secure.

If you have no way to heat him up, then you shouldn't feed him any crickets as he will have trouble digesting them. You could pick up some chicken and squash baby food, add a little water to thin it, heat in the microwave to take the chill off, then put drops on his nose for him to lick off. The chicken will give him a little protein and they love squash.

 

[gazzer82]

Well the RSPCA came and collected him early hid morning, they are taking him to a reptile rescue centre and they are going to put some posters up locally to see if anyone claims it.

I have also asked that if no one claims him whether we can adopt him.

I popped him outside this morning and he pepper right up and he seemed quite happy to be picked up and sit on my lap.

Thanks for all the help/guidance.

Cheers

Gareth

 

[Jasper's Mom]

That's good news. Hopefully you will get to keep him! And even if you don't... I have a sneaking suspicion that you might end up with a beardie anyway!