I've had my beardie for about a month now have questions

[Ryankirsch]

I have had my beardie for a little under a month and I don't know his age but I know he was a baby when I got him, he has gone through one shed but never shedded his back, I don't know how fast they are supposed to grow but he eats about 4-5 crickets a day and some veggies. Just gonna put a picture below so
you guys can tell me if he looks like he is to small. I believe he looks like the right size considering he was probably 3 inches shorter when I got him and alot more skinny, just let me know how he looks compared to other beardies his age, thanks !!


https://photos.app.goo.gl/P99nnEitLw6NoBH76
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[Claudiusx]

Moved by Moderator from General to Health

 

[Claudiusx]

Hi there,

He looks a good size, maybe slightly skinny.

Is he eating as many crickets as he wants to, or are you limiting him to that many.

Dragons his age should get fed 2 or 3 times a day. And allowed to eat as much as they want in a 10 or so minute time frame. This can easily end up equaling 10x more crickets than he is currently eating.

We could go over your setup with you too if youd like, to make sure there isnt anything there that could be limiting his appetite.

-Brandon

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes please post pics of your tank and lighting -- https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ click on XIMG at top of message box-- we can most help w/ issue if we can see what we are looking at
Karrie

 

[BeardedDragonSteve]

Hi there,

He looks a good size, maybe slightly skinny.

Is he eating as many crickets as he wants to, or are you limiting him to that many.

Dragons his age should get fed 2 or 3 times a day. And allowed to eat as much as they want in a 10 or so minute time frame. This can easily end up equaling 10x more crickets than he is currently eating.

We could go over your setup with you too if youd like, to make sure there isnt anything there that could be limiting his appetite.

-Brandon

My beardie only eats 6-10 crickets at the same size of the gap between his eyes and I dont limit him to them. I normally stop when he goes to his basking stick but I still leave some crickets to roam incase he wants a snack

 

[KarrieRee]

Leaving crickets in the tank over nite is not recommended -- crickets bite and can cause infection--- please take them out ---- and make sure your pulling decor and shaking decor to get them out--- they will come out at nite and feed on the dragon--- how many times a day are you feeding him and are you feeding vegies as well ---- ?? he should be fed vegies in the morning w/ a 1-2 small super worms to get him to food bowl - that will get him to eat his vegies or you can use a few BSFL as well --- what ever works to get them to the food bowl before insects --- about an hr later feed the insects --
Karrie

 

[Ryankirsch]

I am not limiting him I offer him crickets up to 3-4 times a day and he eats about 1 or maybe 2 a time. I have his heating temp at 95F and his UVB is the 10.0 Florescent bulb. I will post pics below. He recently just had a VERY runny poop, it was just some liquid with really nothing solid in it at all, worries me..

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xjuh6Y7VsqAS7wvB8

 

[KarrieRee]

Temps for basking should be 105-110-- taken w/ either a digital probe or a infrared heat gun--- the issue I am seeing is the UVB-- if that is a coil UVB it need to be replaced w/ one of these---here is some info on UVB 's
Which UVB light should I use?
The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 10-11 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 6-8 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays-- I would get this coil replaced ASAP--- if this some of the reason for the runny poop and why hes not eating as much--- are you offering a salad or vegies ? They need salad every day -- or greens --- here is website for nutrition --- http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
get your UVB changed out and you will see a difference in appetite --- please ask if you have any more questions--
Karrie

 

[Ryankirsch]

I offer veggies every morning and he has yet to ever eat them , I have given him carrot baby food to get some veggie in because he refuses his greens . And the bulb I have in right now is the 10.0 UVB Mimi compact fluorescent tube, is this a bad one ?

 

[KarrieRee]

YES!!! Replace ASAP---- offer vegies FIRST w/ a 1-2 small super worm or BSFL around 6 or so to get him to food bowl --- it will entice him to eat the vegies --- greens --- then offer insects like an hr later dusted w/ calcium D3 5 x per week and vitamins 2 x per week ---- but please get your UVB changed out to one of the ones mentioned in my earlier post ASAP
Karrie

 

[Ryankirsch]

Okay thank you !! I will be buying the tube Friday and setting it up, thanks for the help!!

 

[KarrieRee]

Just remember to get one that is NOT the full length of your tank-- you dont want it full length --- he needs to be able to get away from the UVB rays if he wants to w/ out hiding from it

Karrie