Hi all,
I got my bearded dragon two weeks ago. I am new to bearded dragons (I have desert tortoises but they live outside). Been doing a lot of reading on this forum and to me it seems he is not eating as much as he should. He seems semi interested in crickets if they are right in front of his face but won't actively seek them out. I would guess he is only eating 6 or 7 crickets a day, a nibble of some collards, maybe a couple of worms. Seems to poop a few times a week I think. He is about 7 or 8 inches nose to tip of tail. Lately he seems to be lethargic, and is dark a lot of the time, but lightens up when I take him out. His colors seem to be dull, especially on his tail.
I have him in a 20 gallon 30x12x12 tank, with a Zilla slimline desert UVB (yes, I know, Zilla, I need to change out the bulb to a reptisun) with the plastic cover removed. A 100w zoo med daylight blue bulb. Using the acurite probe thermometer which is reading 98 on his basking rock and 80 at the cool end. Below is a picture. I need to figure out a way to put the UVB under the screen and probably raise his basking spot a little.
Any suggestions. He doesn't seem to like to eat in a separate box so in his tank the crickets just run around and he grabs one if it is right under his nose. And sometimes he seems to not even care.
Thanks!
I got my bearded dragon two weeks ago. I am new to bearded dragons (I have desert tortoises but they live outside). Been doing a lot of reading on this forum and to me it seems he is not eating as much as he should. He seems semi interested in crickets if they are right in front of his face but won't actively seek them out. I would guess he is only eating 6 or 7 crickets a day, a nibble of some collards, maybe a couple of worms. Seems to poop a few times a week I think. He is about 7 or 8 inches nose to tip of tail. Lately he seems to be lethargic, and is dark a lot of the time, but lightens up when I take him out. His colors seem to be dull, especially on his tail.
I have him in a 20 gallon 30x12x12 tank, with a Zilla slimline desert UVB (yes, I know, Zilla, I need to change out the bulb to a reptisun) with the plastic cover removed. A 100w zoo med daylight blue bulb. Using the acurite probe thermometer which is reading 98 on his basking rock and 80 at the cool end. Below is a picture. I need to figure out a way to put the UVB under the screen and probably raise his basking spot a little.
Any suggestions. He doesn't seem to like to eat in a separate box so in his tank the crickets just run around and he grabs one if it is right under his nose. And sometimes he seems to not even care.
Thanks!
. Those colored bulbs are junk. He needs a bright white basking light. I use a halogen flood bulb. You want to mimic his natural environment. He should definitely perk up and his appetite will more than likely improve.
