Not eating anymore

[ksl0588]

Hi guys, my beardie is already 1 year and 2 months but I notice that he doesn't eat that much anymore. He is a male bearded and is around 17 inches long, is that good size for his age? I feed him dubia every day (no veggies for him because he doesn't eat them). Temperatures are also right.

 

[Bwalter]

could it be hes brumating?

 

[izzbo]

Mine is the exact same age and size and is doing the exact same thing as yours I made a post a few days ago about it. From all my research I think it's brumation. Has anyone else been through this with their dragon?

 

[ksl0588]

I heard that when a dragon brumates, it sleeps a lot and doesn't move that much. Mine is still active. hehehe :lol:

 

[Cnochur]

Offer him veggies even if you throw them out every day. He's gonna want them eventually, and he's gonna need them. As for not eating at all, not eating is the first/only thing they do when ANYTHING is wrong. It's like their default symptom. Could be impaction, parasites, depression, political protest...anything. Are all his lights/temps optimal? Has he been pooping?

PS Mine hasn't had much of an appetite lately either, and is still active. Mine's also a 17 inch male, though he's younger ('bout 7-8 months).

 

[izzbo]

Do you suggest a vet visit or just wait it out? I did read that dragons can slow down eating during the brumation period but not sleep but since this is my first I don't know. Someone from my previous post said their dragon did the same thing last year (didn't eat but was still active) and this year he/she is sleeping. So I'm just a bit confused and minorly worried.

I believe the temps are correct. Here is a picture of my setup with the temps noted in red. I have 2 basking spots in the cage on each end. He is usually at the 104 spot on the right of the picture. If he wants to cool off he just goes down to ground level. Is this correct or should I change something?

 

[Cnochur]

I guess there's nothing wrong with having the cool bottom/hot top thing, though I've never heard of it before. Most people have a cool side and a hot side, with only one basking spot. As long as the dragon knows where to go.

As for the vet, I wouldn't go there unless he loses weight. If you get really worried I would PM the moderator here named Tracie, she's like a dragon health expert. I think her screen name is...Drache...something. Are you feeding him in the enclosure or in a separate space? I find mine eats better in a separate small container where the hunting is easier. Also, try changing up the variety of foods. Toss him some crickets or reptiworms, and of course a wide variety of veg.

 

[izzbo]

Thanks for the advice. I know all about the cool side and basking side but I didn't see an issue w/this. He basks on both sides but usually on the left hand side of the picture (the temp got blurred when I downsized the pic but it should say 104 F). And on that side there is a large overhand. So under the overhand it is cool so he can also go under there. Only the top half of the left side is hot.

In terms of weight, he actually gained weight while not eating. Strange. I weigh him once a month but since he's slowed his eating it's been twice a month. As for foods I've tried everything, silkworms, horned worms, roaches, wax worms, repti/phoenix, and supers. His staple is usually roaches and supers. He did eat a bowl of repti-worms a week ago but since then nothing. Veggies are also plentiful. He usually likes turnip greens but I've tried mixing in mustard greens, cactus pad, fresh grated squash, and carrot shreds.

I don't think it's parasites b/c I had him checked less than a year ago and we keep his cage very clean and he doesn't seem interested in his poop (I know some beardies like to eat or lick the poop) once he does his deed. I'm really hoping it's brumation and he snaps out of it. I'd hate to bring him to a vet and get stabbed w/needles and such if nothing's wrong.