Not eating beard and belly getting dark getting worried

[Steve1878]

Hi I'm probably worrying over nothing as I've only had my beardie a week but she's about 5 months old and barely eaten any cricketts since I got her. I'm starting to think they are too big and now I'm also worried about impaction. The food came with her from a reputable local reptile store so I assumed it would be ok for her side but was maybe pushing it. She is pooing daily although not much white in there and eating her dandelions. I also got her some wax worms which she gobbled down but again had to only feed her the smallest ones. I've got the temperature in a thermostat and have checked everything is ok. I'm just worried that I'm going to end up with a jet black malnourished beardie at this rate. Oddly she does seem slightly lighter in the morning but everytime I get back from work she seems a little worse than the day before

 

[AHBD]

Hi Steve, can you post pics of the dragon and of her set up ? What exact type + brand of lights do you use ?

Since she's new, this will mostly be related to relocation stress. But it's also possible that because she got a taste of waxworms [ which are like candy to reptiles ] that she is holding out for those and ignoring the crickets. It doesn't sound like anything is really wrong. Just keep offering crickets a few at a time [ shake them up in a jar with a pinch pf calcium powder to make them dizzy + slow moving ] and cut out the waxworms. If she is a big 5 month old, or is at least 14" long she should have no trouble eating large crickets. If she's smaller than that, just watch that the crix aren't TOO large.

It's good that she's eating dandelion greens. I'm sure she's going to be fine. Here's how to post pics
https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ Then use the XIMG to upload pics

 

[Allan1124]

Hi I'm probably worrying over nothing as I've only had my beardie a week but she's about 5 months old and barely eaten any cricketts since I got her. I'm starting to think they are too big and now I'm also worried about impaction. The food came with her from a reputable local reptile store so I assumed it would be ok for her side but was maybe pushing it. She is pooing daily although not much white in there and eating her dandelions. I also got her some wax worms which she gobbled down but again had to only feed her the smallest ones. I've got the temperature in a thermostat and have checked everything is ok. I'm just worried that I'm going to end up with a jet black malnourished beardie at this rate. Oddly she does seem slightly lighter in the morning but everytime I get back from work she seems a little worse than the day before

I am not sure sure about the not eating but I do know that our beardie has been striped black since we got him or her. But I've read multiple places that the young ones can stay black and it doesn't always mean stress. Ours is probably because his basking area is only 100.

 

[Steve1878]

thanks for the replies. The set up is fairly standard some water she never touches a couple of rocks and one of my old t shirts (I was told it'd help her get used to me) 30 degrees at the cool end which she only goes to occasionally. She actually seems scared of crickets and to a lesser extent hoppers and sometimes runs away when I put them near her other times completely ignores them as if they don't register as food. She also seems to hate misting but needs must as the only liquid she really gets is from damp dandelion leaves (I've also tried rose petals today but again not amused). She will eat worms though even those tiny things in the bottom of cricket packs which I let her eat because when she saw them with the crickets she actively tried to get to them so I was hoping it'd entice her in. I did try giving her a bath once but I've never seen an animal look so scared so wont do that again until she's very settled. She lets me stroke her but closes her eyes in an unamused rather than pleasurable way (I think) and will sometimes move away. The couple of times I've got her out she has headed straight back to the viv so I've let her back in although she will sit on my hand either content or too scared to move your guess is as good as mine!!! So do you think if she won't touch crickets or hoppers a variety of worms and veg will be ok?

 

[Steve1878]

Oh and its a 4x2x2 viv using a microclimate ministat 100 arcadia 75w uva basking solar spot light and a 25w reptile uvb 100 exo terra desert bulb 10.0 compact. Was all set up by the reptile store here

 

[Stres]

thanks for the replies. The set up is fairly standard some water she never touches a couple of rocks and one of my old t shirts (I was told it'd help her get used to me) 30 degrees at the cool end which she only goes to occasionally. She actually seems scared of crickets and to a lesser extent hoppers and sometimes runs away when I put them near her other times completely ignores them as if they don't register as food. She also seems to hate misting but needs must as the only liquid she really gets is from damp dandelion leaves (I've also tried rose petals today but again not amused). She will eat worms though even those tiny things in the bottom of cricket packs which I let her eat because when she saw them with the crickets she actively tried to get to them so I was hoping it'd entice her in. I did try giving her a bath once but I've never seen an animal look so scared so wont do that again until she's very settled. She lets me stroke her but closes her eyes in an unamused rather than pleasurable way (I think) and will sometimes move away. The couple of times I've got her out she has headed straight back to the viv so I've let her back in although she will sit on my hand either content or too scared to move your guess is as good as mine!!! So do you think if she won't touch crickets or hoppers a variety of worms and veg will be ok?

Hi there Steve
Are you sure they said 5 months old as the dragon looks closer to 5-10weeks old from the pictures you posted (I'm by no means an expert on beardie/size but it looks young to me)

If you have only had it a week or two I'd try and not handle it much at all it really needs the time to settle in, many suggest sitting next to the tank and talking gently to help it get used to you without feeling threatened to much.

Have you tried feeding it Phoenix worms, also known as calci worms or black soldier fly lavae. They are full of calcium and great feeders for small/young dragons as they also have a soft easily digestible body and you have no worries leaving them in the vivarium add they can't bite the dragon.

I'd try make sure your dragon didn't get dehydrated if it's still not eating much, the best advice I was given us to use a dripper and drop water on there nose daily, it may take some time to start to lick the water off so try at least for a good couple of minutes as long as you don't think it's stressing the beardie out ( mine also hates baths and being misted do I use the dropper) also you can get an additive for the water which helps against dehydration something similar to this http://www.livefoods.co.uk/vetark-reptoboost-100g-p-829.html?osCsid=15d8d899c562d1c45f64933fb2729945
If you in the u.k you can also get the Phoenix worms from that site there really good for feeders and the only place iv seen dubia roaches in the u.k.

Also a uv strip light at minimum of 10% is recommended for dragons ideally a t5 like this
https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/arcadia-d3-reptile-lamp-t5-12-uvb/?gclid=CjwKCAjwsqjKBRBtEiwAkWyN3z8K9qNgHJIt_uvfNOZkJL6BiVvM4ru7TRX_6dkjsInpg10Yg8tqThoCcE0QAvD_BwE

Hope this helps a little bit, I'm far from an expert and like most learning as I go.

 

[Steve1878]

Interesting thanks stres. The reptile shop said they had 3 15 week old beardies about 3 weeks before I got her so I assumed about 5 months at this point. She's about 6-8 inches long annoyingly I've not found any calci worms small enough for her but will have to order online as they seem ideal. I left 4 hoppers with her yesterday 2 were still there 12 hours later but I may have just lost the other 2 in the viv although I like to hope she's eaten them. She happily eats leaves from my tweezers I've offered by hand but she doesn't like that sadly and it's probably best for my fingers same that way. I'm sure she'll settle down just wish she'd eat properly and not run away from misting. I can live with minimal handling as long as I know she's healthy although not much fun

 

[Stres]

She's about 6-8 inches long annoyingly I've not found any calci worms small enough for her but will have to order online as they seem ideal.

All calci worms should be a good size for the dragon regardless of its age. I'm wondering if your mixing them up with morio/super worms as they can get quite large and are only really fed to fully grown beardies, the calci worms are usually 5 - 15 cm in size.

Also just to make you aware the wood chip substrate you are using can be potentially deadly, if the dragon was to accidently ingest a piece whilst trying to catch a cricket or other feeder they can cause a lot of damage as they can be sharp and hard for dragons to digest.

Most commonly used substrate on this site is tile as its a one time buy and easy to clean and you never have to worry about your dragon accidently eating a piece like all loose substrate.

If you decide to change it for tile slate is decent as it isn't slippery and can also help trim the dragons nails a little and looks decent as well.

Patience goes a long way at the start I'm sure within a month she'll be settled in, eating well and a lot more comfortable around you. Good luck and enjoy !

 

[Steve1878]

She's about 6-8 inches long annoyingly I've not found any calci worms small enough for her but will have to order online as they seem ideal.

All calci worms should be a good size for the dragon regardless of its age. I'm wondering if your mixing them up with morio/super worms as they can get quite large and are only really fed to fully grown beardies, the calci worms are usually 5 - 15 cm in size.

Also just to make you aware the wood chip substrate you are using can be potentially deadly, if the dragon was to accidently ingest a piece whilst trying to catch a cricket or other feeder they can cause a lot of damage as they can be sharp and hard for dragons to digest.

Most commonly used substrate on this site is tile as its a one time buy and easy to clean and you never have to worry about your dragon accidently eating a piece like all loose substrate.

If you decide to change it for tile slate is decent as it isn't slippery and can also help trim the dragons nails a little and looks decent as well.

Patience goes a long way at the start I'm sure within a month she'll be settled in, eating well and a lot more comfortable around you. Good luck and enjoy !

cheers Does the no bigger than the space between her eyes rule not apply to worms? I've been trying to keep everything below that gap and at her size it's a pretty small area to play with!!! I wasn't sure about the substrate which is why I try to freezer feed or leave stuff on stones annoyingly it came with the vivarium my plan was to use toilet paper cheap easy to clean up and allows for a little burrowing but maybe slate is a better option. She's now taken to hiding behind her hide (bless her) which is about the only place I can't see her from any angle. Ah well I'll look online for some calci worms leave her some more hoppers and hope for the best

 

[Stres]

Yes I'd still try to stick to the space between the eyes rule with worms when the dragon is small, I'm not sure if that still applies to fully grown dragons and super/morio worms as they are all quite long and tend to get chewed in half whilst being eaten, if Cooperdragon or anyone else can weigh in on this I'd also like to know.

Paper towels are also great choice for when their growing as they always seem to be pooing lol, but yep get rid of that wood chip to be safe.

My dragon has never used his hide's the way i expected either

 

[Steve1878]

Ah I've just been googling pheonix worms and I think I know why I was confused I think you meant to put 5-15 mm not cm I was thinking that would be massive for her!! The Mario worms I've found in local shops all look huge but then so do the dubia roaches I guess you just don't get the same variety of size in shops as online. It's a shame they need insects I'm pretty sure janus would be a happy little vegan given half the chance.

 

[Steve1878]

Actually I've just had a thought and maybe someone will point out if I'm been ridiculously optimistic... tonight she still wouldn't eat hoppers or cricketts but I kept my hand in her viv for quite a long time and stroked her a couple of times, she still didn't seem to like it and went darker but she also licked me and didnt run away and ate some dandelion from my hands for the first time and more importantly for the last 2 hours she's been alone in her viv been more lively than I've ever seen her. She's basking running over to eat her greens running from one side to the other., climbing on her rocks and seems to be having fun in a skittish way. I'm hoping she enjoyed the stimulation of having me around even if she didn't enjoy the contact but on the other hand it could be crazy nervous energy. Any ideas?

 

[Stres]

Ah I've just been googling pheonix worms and I think I know why I was confused I think you meant to put 5-15 mm not cm I was thinking that would be massive for her!! The Mario worms I've found in local shops all look huge but then so do the dubia roaches I guess you just don't get the same variety of size in shops as online. It's a shame they need insects I'm pretty sure janus would be a happy little vegan given half the chance.

Yes sorry I meant millimeters not centimeters. If you ask at the pet store some will let you setup an account where they'll reserve what you want weekly/monthly if you prefer to collect than have delivered.