MY NEW BEARDIE

I am so worried right now!
I do not know what to do. My new beardie (who has been with me for a week) is not active. In fact I would says he's boring! I mean not just basking but if I leave him somewhere (like a stone) he will stay there for about an hour and not do anything (like he is thinking). He eats well though!!!
I mean when I give him a bath his stress marks nearly disappear but when he goes inside his viv then they appear dark as ever! He had pooping problems in the last few days (not pooing for 6 days) but he pooped yesterday.
My Setup:
.20 gallon Exo Terra Tank
.Arcadia Mini D3 UV Basking Bulb (MVB)
.Feed Locusts size between eyes
.Bathe twice daily to reduce stress
Can I attribute this to relocation stress as I've had him for a week
He is quite boring compared to what I hear of everybody else's Beardies :lurk:
Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BeardiesAreBoss]

Thanks
Any other views???
Any help would be appreciated!
Lost interest in live food again

 

[BeardiesAreBoss]

Anyone?

 

[Reptiles4Life]

is it still shedding.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

The bulb will be fine. However, for safety, I would move it to the designated distance for him the 20-30 range. I have not had a chance to test this bulb with a UVB meter, but since they recommend that distance I would suggest moving it a little bit. I use the conventional Arcadia MVB but have not used the mini.
If you need more heat, you can use either a low wattage basking light or a ceramic heat emitter.

You do need to monitor the basking spot to be around 95-110 range with a cooler end of around 78-82. The temperatures are extremely important.
Since he is not eating yet or again, he may either be too hot or too cold. Do you know what the temperatures are?

Tracie

 

[BeardiesAreBoss]

Yeah, the problem is that the thermometer is on its way from Hong Kong and will take a month to get here
For that reason I have to try and guess the temperature and preferred. I originally had it at the recommended distance but felt it as too cold? Should I move it there as it is the recommended distance?
Really unsure
What should I do??????
I also do not have a spare bulb holder to hold another bulb
I cannot measure the temperatures now so am in a bit of a pickle
He does seem to enjoy basking where is at the moment
Any ideas :?: :?: :?:
Thanks :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[BeardiesAreBoss]

Anybody?
Please Reply!!!

 

[Esther19]

Go to WalMart and get a digital thermometer with a probe. They are about $12.

 

[BeardiesAreBoss]

I live in England

 

[Esther19]

Okay. There must be some place locally that you can get one. Have you looked?

 

[BeardiesAreBoss]

eems to have improved on the feeding front however
Finally found collard greens in England (spring greens) and he's had a few munches of that with squash
Am feeding him baby food and he also had 1 locust today!!!!!!!
Then he lost interest in them afterwards
Only real worry is how not active he is
Even when I take him out of his viv he just stays still and thinks
Only real time he is active is when he is in the bath swimming
I mean I get really jealous when I see vids on youtube of Daltons Baby Dragons
They are so active!!!!
I mean just watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKWpN1x84oE&list=TL_3HNfWRF6Pdzg2cF8fStrDu0e1hP18qR How are they so active?
Any ideas to make him more active?
How else can I keep him hydrated as I think he has a bit of wrinkles on the side of his body when he exhales apart from baths
Any help will be appreciated
Thanks :wink:

 

[mortitia]

Hi
Where in the UK are you?

I have a few hatchlings at the moment and they are pretty boring (not really) but they don't do much other than when it is feeding time (which it seems to be most of the day). Other than that they just hang out in weird positions. I have recently put a branch in for them and now call it the beardie tree, as all you can see are beardie tails hanging down.

You would probably be able to pick up a cheapish digital thermometer from Asda or somewhere similar which would give you a more accurate reading until your other one arrives. Then you can disinfect it and keep it in your medicine cabinet.

You haven't had him for too long so I wouldn't worry too much, just spend time getting to know each other. How is he when he is out? I know what you mean about the vid's online, but I wonder how long it took them to get that video? as they will only upload what they want people to see and a normal beardie doing normal day to day stuff isn't that interesting to look at, not like fish.

Hope things are working out better

Marie x

 

[BeardiesAreBoss]

Hi
Where in the UK are you?

I have a few hatchlings at the moment and they are pretty boring (not really) but they don't do much other than when it is feeding time (which it seems to be most of the day). Other than that they just hang out in weird positions. I have recently put a branch in for them and now call it the beardie tree, as all you can see are beardie tails hanging down.

You would probably be able to pick up a cheapish digital thermometer from Asda or somewhere similar which would give you a more accurate reading until your other one arrives. Then you can disinfect it and keep it in your medicine cabinet.

You haven't had him for too long so I wouldn't worry too much, just spend time getting to know each other. How is he when he is out? I know what you mean about the vid's online, but I wonder how long it took them to get that video? as they will only upload what they want people to see and a normal beardie doing normal day to day stuff isn't that interesting to look at, not like fish.

Hope things are working out better

Marie x

I'm in London, Barnet!
Thanks for the help
Anybody else have opinions?
PS. His left side wrinkles when he breathes in. Could this be dehydration?
Give him 2 Baths daily so should be hydrated. How to give a proper bath?
PPS> He swells up like a balloon and floats (while swimming/trying to escape/climb sink) when having a bath? Normal or too deep?
Thanks!!!

 

[sweetiepie9]

Everything I've read is normal. The UVB bulb though should be at least 12" from the basking spot which is 30 cm from the basking spot. The 80W should give off sufficient heat at that height to give him his basking temp needed. And babies aren't very active, especially when they're new.

The baths are great & they do blow themselves up so they don't drown, totally necessary and honestly, the fact that he's swimming is wonderful. A lot of babies just sit in the water & stare at you, so he's getting lots of activity. Give him some time to get used to being in your home.

Feed him the babyfood if you don't think he's getting enough locusts or greens. His appetite will improve as he gets used to his new place, Relocation stress is real. I've had 2 babies in the 7 years I've had dragons, as I rescue them, and I found that babies tended to have stress marks a lot of the time, even when they were comfortable in their new home, so I wouldn't worry about stress marks. Adults, on the other hand, normally stress when something is wrong, but not babies. So I wouldn't keep worrying about that, just relax and enjoy him.

Are you giving him calcium 5x per week, usually dusting 1 feeding each time, or adding a pinch to the baby food. That's very important for healthy bones & good digestion. Also 2x per week vit/min powder on 2 feedings or in the baby food. That's also important.

Your baby looks great for his age, spot on with the length, just give him time, it can take 2 weeks for babies to feel comfy and don't forget, they will also feel your anxiety, so you have to relax, handle him as much as you can.

Everyone who has answered your post, including Tracie, who is very knowledgeable, she's helped me so much in the time I've had dragons (I have 5 adult males, an adult female and 2 geckkos, too :lol: )

There is a great care sheet I helped put together on here under articles, you should read it through. The greens you're getting are great for your baby, too. And the bee pollen is a good idea.

So keep up what you're doing, just adjust the UVB, k?
Keep in touch,
Deb

 

[BeardiesAreBoss]

Thanks so much!
The MVB is through a Mesh cover and Guard which blocks some of the UVB? IMO the 30cm distance is not enough heat at all for him. ATM the bulb is about 15 cm away. But it is through the screens so half the UV is blocked right?
What do you Think?
Thanks!

 

[mortitia]

Aldi are having a sale - digi thermometers 2.99, There should be one near you.

I think you should not worry until you can get a correct temperature reading. When they are babies its much more important. I wondered why all my babies were in the hide an not basking, until I took another temperature reading and it was 120 !

Are you feeding him locusts or crickets?

Keep in touch

Marie x