juvenile dragon wont eat crickets but will eat superworms

[mgmatt]

I just got my dragon about a week ago. On the first day he was eating crickets but the next day i gave him a superworm. After that he does not seem intersted in the crickets. i then got a small tank to feed him in so the crickets he wont eat hide away in his tank. He does love kale but also loves those superworms. I dont want him to just have the superworms. How do I get him to go after crickets again.

 

[Gormagon]

You have to stop this now, they are addicting and not a good staple Food anyway. They lack valuable nutrients. They should only be fed to adults as a treat twice a month and only a few at a time.

 

[KarrieRee]

Super worms are for treats--- like meal worms for treats as well and only to adult dragons- try giving him some dubia roaches -- they are better for him anyway - they dont give parasites like crickets do and can -- they are more filling than crickets -- 1 dubia is = to 6 crickets-- you can order them on line and some suppliers offer free shipping-- plus they are easier to keep like in a 10 gallon aquarium and you can feed them things like carrots apples sweet potato squash any kind --
Karrie

 

[mgmatt]

but he wont eat the crickets. how do i get him to go after them again.

 

[KarrieRee]

Is he eating his greens? It may be he is just slowing down -- Hiccup hasnt been eating either --- but I feed him dubias- he just ate some of his salad today and its been a few days since he ate last - he is just over a year-- been doing a lot of sleeping and lounging - today he is out and on his basking rock-- last time he ate was Thurs I think and he ate around 5-6 roaches -- as long as he is not losing weight you are ok--- the weather may be causing him to not eat now - Hiccups metabolism has slowed down so hes not doing alot --- just keep offering them to him and his salad keep an eye on his weight etc...
Karrie

 

[mgmatt]

he eats some greens. he is only 10 inches long from head to tail. hes probably only 4 months old.

 

[KarrieRee]

If hes only 4 months old he may not like them --- try some dubias - I know Hiccup was started on crickets from the breeder - I brought him home w/ crickets - he seemed like he was hesitant to eat them- he was around 3 months at the time -- took him into the reptile vet about 2 weeks after I got him - she recommended I start feeding him dubia roaches -- so I stopped at the local private pet store that sells dubias and got him some --- he went nuts over them - for one thing I think he just didnt like them --- so by going over to dubias it was a win -win deal -- this could be whats happening w/ yours- wont know till you try
Karrie

 

[mgmatt]

went to my local pet store to get them but they are pretty big, like an inch long.

 

[KarrieRee]

feed him one and see how reacts--
Karrie

 

[mgmatt]

he doesnt seem too interested in them either.

 

[KarrieRee]

Can you post pics of his tank and lighting? Go to top of page click on User Image Uploader- down load pics- click reply at top of message click on XIMG pics should post
Karrie

 

[mgmatt]

I also have a small heat pad underneath but he was not eating crickets before I got it.

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok so the heat pad should go --- it can cause burns to them cuz they cant feel it from the tummy--- where is the UVB light? He should have a Reptisun 10 T5, or the Arcadia D3 12% or 14% T5 tube, both of which are very good. You will need a T5 light fixture also.This is what everyone on the forum recommends -- this could be the start of the problem he is not eating now- the UVB is crucial to their health and digestion--- what size is the tank ?
Karrie

 

[mgmatt]

Well the woman told me that this bulb would be for his heat and light source. The tank is 20 gallon long.

 

[KarrieRee]

And this woman ? Is she a beardie owner ? Where did you get your guy from?
Karrie