New dragon questions

[pyxi]

I recently adopted my dragon from a very good home where he was well cared for, the people said he is eating 50-75% greens along with crickets and superworms, but Since I got him home he is hardly ever hungry, I make him fresh green salad every day, using different greens like curly endive, beet tops, swiss chard, kale and a little bit of fruit on top, like berries or melon. He never touches the greens at ALL. Once he ate a 2 raspberries but that was it, he seems to only want crickets, which I was giving to him but now I stopped since he doesnt touch his greens. Should I not offer him any insects until he starts to eat the greens? And also his skin has started to look a little baggy/wrinkly around his sides the last few days, does that mean dehydration? He has water in his cage but he never seems to drink.. I soaked him today, how often should I be soaking him, and for how long? Also he came with a 24" fluorescent tube light inside his cage which the previous owner informed me was a little past the 6 month mark, so I went and got him a new one but the store only had Repti-Glo 5.0 in the 24" size so I had to buy that, the light is positioned about 7" right above him (inside the cage, not on top) is that going to be good enough for him or should I try return it and find a 10.0? Thanks.

 

[Carnivorouszoo]

Reptiglo aren't very good its the Reptisun 10.0 which is really recommended as the best. As to the eating issue how long have you had him? He is probably dealing with relocation stress and will eat when he is comfortable in his new home with you. I would keep offering and just wait it out. Congrats on the new guy!

 

[Toyguy]

Absolutely need a new bulb. Not only are the ReptiGlos not that great but the 5.0 is way too weak for a desert animal. I also hope the tube bulb isn't the only light, as he needs a basking bulb to bring the basking spot temperatures up. You need a good digital thermometer and/or heat gun to measure that temperature and I'd aim for around 100 degrees. Do you know how old he is, what he weighs and how long he is? If he's under a year, he'll still be wanting more crickets than greens. I wouldn't withhold them as he likely needs the protein. You ought to be dusting the crickets with Calcium + D3 about 5x a week and with a multivitamin like Herptivite on the other 2 days.

A bath every day or two is good as dragons really don't drink directly very often. They get moisture from food or from their vents while in the bath.

 

[pyxi]

I have had a hard time finding a Repti-sun 10.0 or ANY 10.0 bulb in the 24" size but (most are the 18") but I will call around and try get one. He has a 150 watt basking lamp and his basking area is 100 degrees (I have a reptile digital thermometer/hygrometer on his basking log) I have only had him about a week, I guess I should maybe not pick him up for a while and just let him settle in? I have been taking him out of his cage a couple times a day and holding him, the previous owner held him often. He is 2 years old.. I have Calcium + D3 and Herptivite, and I have been dusting his greens a little (though he hasn't been eating them, but I am wondering if I should be withholding the crickets to get him eating his greens? he hasn't eaten for a couple days now because he would only eat the crickets and worms so I stopped offering them to him and switched strictly to greens.. Thanks.

 

[Carnivorouszoo]

try ordering online. They have them on Amazon.com I'm not sure on the feeding issue you are having, my Beardie is only about 6 months old. She eats her veggies pretty well for her age.

 

[jjh1]

I have had a hard time finding a Repti-sun 10.0 or ANY 10.0 bulb in the 24" size but (most are the 18") but I will call around and try get one. He has a 150 watt basking lamp and his basking area is 100 degrees (I have a reptile digital thermometer/hygrometer on his basking log) I have only had him about a week, I guess I should maybe not pick him up for a while and just let him settle in? I have been taking him out of his cage a couple times a day and holding him, the previous owner held him often. He is 2 years old.. I have Calcium + D3 and Herptivite, and I have been dusting his greens a little (though he hasn't been eating them, but I am wondering if I should be withholding the crickets to get him eating his greens? he hasn't eaten for a couple days now because he would only eat the crickets and worms so I stopped offering them to him and switched strictly to greens.. Thanks.

What I did was offer greens only one day and then give him a little prey the next and greens again the 3rd day and keep repeating that he will get hungry and start eatting greens when he is hungry and there is nothing else to eat . They can be stubborn!