Alexlcrea":35fd8a4v said:
So I've had my dragon for about 2 weeks now. Been really taken care of food to eat regularly, worms twice a week for proton though i just read he should have more. Looks to be about 3-4 months old. But tonight when my wife turned out the lights to his tank he scurried around and squeezed between his log and tank to sleep... I'm new to this dragon scene so I'm just wondering if i need to change something up here. Friday he's getting a bigger tank. Right now he's in a 10 gal. Temp stays around 80-85 during the day and 70-72 during the night.
Obvious issues :
Viv size = 10 gals , this is extremely small even for a little hatchling.
I recommend at least a viv or converted tub/tote about 100L volume ( my rearing tubs are ALLSET 109L CLEAR STORAGE TUBs + LIDs (740mmL x 535mmW x 440mmH) ).
If you are short of money and can't afford even a secondhand viv that's AT LEAST 2x LONGER & 2x WIDER, then a tub/tote conversion is a cheaper option and will do him until he is nearly full grown (18mnths - 2yrs old). See
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=233480
Diet = worms twice a week for a 3-4 month old is totally inadequate , a 3-4 month old HATCHLING requires LOTS of HIGH QUALITY LIVE insect (protein & fats & amino acids) , MINIMUM is TWO LIVE FEEDS PER DAY.
Every hatchling is different.
@ 2 months old Peppa was 24.6g and Toothless was 20.9g
(siblings fed exactly the same since we brought them home at 5 weeks old ( 13.8g and 11g on our first day ))
were eating 12 x 20day old (1/4 size ?) crickets for split into two meals
(I also had a bonding ritual with them where their first 3-4 crickets per day each were handfed , I'd then deposit the hatchling back in their rearing tub and I'd give them the rest of their insect a few at a time)
+ 4 x med/small (1.0 - 1.5 inch) silkworm (last meal)
+ greens & grated veg
+ softened mixed repcal juv beardie & vetafarm lizard pellets (last meal) EACH per day.
@ 4 months old
Peppa was 119.5g and Toothless was 91.1g
they were getting eating 24x medium (1/3 sized) crickets (split 16 in am & 8 in pm + 2x medium (1.5-2"long silkworms) + greens & grated veg + softened mixed repcal juv beardie & vetafarm lizard pellets (last meal) EACH per day.
So 12 crickets per meal is about what I'd be hoping for at 4 months old.
Based on your post , there are very likely many more problems with his viv and setup and husbandry that need to changed or tweeked if he is going to have as good a chance as possible to grow and develop properly and be happy & healthy. You were likely given very bad advise by the person who sold you the hatchling and who sold you the viv you have right now.
Need much more information and details on your beardie's setup and your husbandry otherwise we can't even hazard a guess.
Here's my Cheat Sheet :
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=234738&p=1806050#p1806050
If you work through it methodically , the chances are there are likely a lot of issues that need to be tweeked or changed and they will pop right out at you, if you can give very detailed answers we will then be in a position to offer help. Is impossible to help you if you don't provide thorough details .
It may prove necessary to involve a reptile vet if your bearded dragon has serious health issues.Are you in a position to afford to take him to a good reptile vet should this prove necessary ?