New beardy not eating?

[warpigdave]

I am worried. On Friday my family got a new beardy, from a breeder that told me he eats very well, crickets and greens. Well it's Monday and he still hasn't eaten anything. Greens he doesn't seem interested in at all, and the crickets he just let's run around him, even on him. We've owned 2 other beards and I don't remember them ever doing this. I thought it could be transition, but I am worried that he'll starve. His crickets are not too large, they are tiny. He did eat 1 on the first day when we held it for him, but since then he's not interested.

 

[azteacher]

I got a dragon on Friday, too.. Saturday I think he only ate one cricket and yesterday he ate two. The lady at Petsmart who has a dragon herself said they do let the crickets crawl around/on them when they're not hungry.

I think my basking spot was slightly too cold the last two days, so I'm hoping he'll eat more crickets today. I hope yours does too! From what I've read it could just be stress from the transition. I wouldn't worry yet!

 

[karyanu]

Make sure the basking spot is very warm. If its a little chilly they usually won't eat much. I have heard sometimes in the transition they won't eat anything for 24-48 hours but all my baby's that went to homes ate like champions there first day....so im not 100% sure...

 

[warpigdave]

Basking spot is 102. He still doesn't seem interested in food.

 

[AKnorthstar]

I would try getting it in the 105-110 range. And sometimes they will not eat for a few days. That is normal.

If they are in a tank I suggest using white paper to block off the sides and back. That helps babies feel safer, sometimes the aquarium backgrounds can be too busy and frighten them.

Are you using a uvb?

 

[warpigdave]

I am using UVB. I changed my bulbs around and increased temp to 105 to see if that helps.

 

[Sauzo]

When I got Harley at 6 weeks old, she didn't eat for like 4-5 days. She would eat like 1 cricket a day. I got worried and called the breeder and we talked and she told me to just give her time and make sure the temps are right, bath her daily to keep her hydrated and cover the sides and back of the cage and don't give her a hide since you want a social lizard, not an antisocial one. After the 5 days, she started eating like crazy and then I switched her to dubias she became a bottomless pit. I was going through alittle over 1000 dubia a month till I started my own colony. So I wouldn't worry too much. They won't starve themselves to death unless something is drastically wrong. Keep the temps good, keep the baby hydrated and let her get used to the new home and surroundings and she'll start eating.

 

[azteacher]

My baby ate a couple of crickets a day the first three days or so, and now Romeo seems disinterested again. I know the temps are right. I took him to Petsmart (that's where I got him) last night and they force fed him a cricket, bathed him, and was able to give him a little water. She said he didn't look "too skinny" but he was "sort of lethargic". He's nearing 5 weeks old I think (which leads me to believe they might have sold him a little too young).

I'm praying when I get home from school today Romeo will eat a cricket on his own. I also plan on giving him a bath.

 

[BeardiesOnBlast]

Don't worry, you have to remember this is a very stressful time and every animal takes it in their own way. I have two bearded dragons at the moment and have had more in the past and they all handled it differently. My bearded dragon Ebenezeer didn't eat for about 4-5 days and then he ate minimal amount. He lost 2 grams and I was rather worried. Today I went back to the person I got him from and picked up his clutch mate Eywa and she ate 15 worms within 2 hours of being home. I don't expect she will eat much tomorrow but I hope she keeps her appetite. You can't communicate with them and let them know that your home is a safe place so they are a little shaken up. You might try other feeders. Also be sure to remove any food before lights out, crickets can and will feed on your reptile while he/she sleeps and the results can be devastating.
Best of luck.

 

[BeardiesOnBlast]

I read your above comment and it makes me a little annoyed at petsmart. An adjusting dragon should not be force fed. It stresses them more and can prolong the adjustment period.