It's For Real Now... I Just Bought My First Beardie!

[DeweysMom]

He's here and he's SO adorable! He felt on the colder side when I first unboxed him so I put him right into the cage where he could warm up. After basking for a little bit I offered him some greens, but he showed no interest so I moved on to Phoenix Worms. I had a dozen in his worm dish and thankfully he did eat 10 of them before he lost interest. After he ate, I gave him a nice warm bath since he's been without water for almost 24 hours. He sat still in the tub, didn't move at all so I'm not sure if he enjoyed it THAT much or if it was just fear from what's happened to him in the last day. I patted him dry and put him back on his basking platform/driftwood where he's now resting. He seemed to be pretty alert before his bath, but now he seems a little sleepy. Should I keep him on his driftwood or move him lower?

My only other concern is his left eye. His right eye is fine, but he keeps closing his left eye. He did it in the bath tub as well so I don't think the lighting/heating has anything to do with it. Could it be irritated from shedding? I tried taking pictures of it, not sure how well they'll come out. I'll post them in a few. They're loading now.

 

[tiffykins]

Can't wait to see pictures!! :mrgreen:

 

[DeweysMom]

You guys asked so here they are!!

Here he is eating some Phoenix Worms. He ate 10 of 12 so far.

After eating he was looking around.

First Bath...

Towel Drying After Bath (note left eye closed in 2nd photo, any ideas on why?)...)...

Here is right now in the same position I left him in about a half hour ago. Has not moved other than turning his head slightly here and there to look around.

 

[ChellyBeans]

They aren't supposed to be super active. He is just basking and warming up. Phoenix can sit like that for hours.

As for the eye... you may want to call Bloodbank up and inquire about that.

What lighting setup do you have? What are the temps? Please be specific.

 

[DeweysMom]

Thanks, I've already called and left a message for Bloodbank to call me back.

I have the ReptiSun 10.0 and I'm using a standard housebulb for heat. The temps are 105.7° on the basking platform and 83° on the cool side.

He CAN and DOES open his left eye, but either he's chosing not to or maybe it's irritated or something. His left eye has been closed off and on since I unboxed him so I don't think my set up has anything to do with the "initial" cause. Anyway, here's a photo of him with his left eye open.

 

[ChellyBeans]

It could have been something from the packaging that got in there. This may suck, but you can drip a few drops of water on his eye if he keeps it up.

 

[tiffykins]

He is a cutie!

 

[DeweysMom]

Woah! He just moved! :lol: Just kidding!

He seems to be doing ok other than the eye thing. He's alert and looking around when he hears noises. When I get up from my chair he follows me. He's now facing the front of the cage instead of the back so he turned himself around. He's got his head held up high like he's really enjoying the heat. What a little sweetheart! Will offer him some crickets in another hour or so though I doubt he'll be interested.

 

[sbattisti]

VERY cute!! Congratulations!

So jealous about the eating, though.

 

[ChellyBeans]

Phoenix gobbled down ALL SORTS of food when I got him here. I was told that he was only being fed 2 crickets a day! :shock:

 

[DeweysMom]

Steve, don't be jealous. I just tried it hoping to get something into his little system before he also goes on a hunger strike. I just tried crickets, but he showed zero interest. I'm not surprised, but disappointed. I had hoped that since he ate some worms he'd be ok to eat lunch, but I guess not. He even turned down more phoenix worms.

 

[DeweysMom]

So this may be a stupid question, but when I put him back in his cage after the failed cricket lunch attempt I put him on his blankie which is pretty much in the middle of the cage. He has not moved yet. Should I move him to his basking area or just let him be where he is and let him go up there when he's ready? When I first put him in this morning I put him right on the wood to warm up.

 

[ChellyBeans]

He is just in a new place. Give him some time. He's trying to figure you out and probably freezes when you look at him. He ate so he is fine. My suggestion is to leave the room and let him get used to his new viv. I know you want to play with him, but he is in a new house and PROBABLY has a little relocation stress. Later on this afternoon, come back and offer him some more food. Then you can take him out and let him run around for a little bit of bonding. Don't sweat it hon. You're doing fine.

 

[spurlee01]

He's adorable! I hope the eye problem gets resolved, soon.

 

[DeweysMom]

Well, I left the room for a while and shut everything off except for his tank lights, but he still has not moved. His eyes are still - both of them! - but he hasn't moved an inch. He's looking around and I can see the stress marks on his chest. It's not so much that I want to play with him, I just want to see him move so I know he IS ok.

I talked to Bloodbank and he thinks his eye issue has to do with shedding. He said that there's no way at all there should be any infection going on. He does have some loose scales on the top of his head so it may very well be shedding. Will keep an eye on it.