How often do Juvenile Beardies drink?

[VoteforMerlin]

Hey all,

I'm sorry to post so many questions here, but there are so many things that cause me worry!

Merlin was dehydrated a few weeks ago. I took him to the vet because he wasn't eating and was told that this dehydration is likely why. I've gone through the paces to rehydrate the little guy and he is doing much better now!

I'm still paranoid about it, however. How often do they normally drink to stay hydrated? I've never seen him drink from his water dish, although I've showed it to him half a dozen times. I give him a bath once a day and spray him 2-3 times for good measure. He drinks in the bath a few times a week. Is this enough to keep him hydrated? He's only a few (2-3) months old.

Thanks a million

 

[daner923]

I know you posted a while ago, but most beardies never drink out of a dish. In the wild, standing water = stagnant/unhealthy water usually. As long as you are bathing every day or so, he is plenty hydrated. Also, take out the water dish and stop misting, as they just raise humidity. Misting doesn't help with hydration, as beardies don't absorb water through their skin - just orally or through the vent.

 

[Soulwind]

As an addendum to that:

I don't mist at all (just the daily baths and fresh veggies they get is enough to keep them hydrated).

But if you do want to mist, instead of spaying it on them directly, get a set of the plastic or silk
plants that can hang down from a corner of the tank and mist that.

In the wild, beardies lick the dew from plant leaves and some will drink that way if given the opportunity.

 

[VoteforMerlin]

Thanks everyone, my mind is eased and I won't bother misting any more. Merlin has been doing great!

 

[emleebee]

I guess that I have the dragon that's the exception...Tia definitely drinks from a water dish! She's getting used to baths but doesn't seem to ever drink in it, but will drink from a dish. When I tried taking the water dish out she will stand where it used to be and scratch at the ground. I just put it in the farthest corner from the lights and the humidity has been okay.

 

[daner923]

Yea, some dragons do drink. Bathing isn't about drinking though. It's about absorbing water, so they are still very valuable. If your dragon drinks, it is fine to have a water bowl as long as humidity stays under control