Not eating salads

[sconley]

Both dragons are a healthy weight and are 2 years old. They eat bugs readily, I've tried the following: withholding bugs for upwards of 2 weeks, they did eat some salad then but then went right back to not eating it at all once they got bugs. I've tried bee pollen, flavoured calcium, bugs on the salads, fruit juice, repashy beardie buffet on the salads, varying types of veg, offering minimal fruit options - They have zero interest in fruit which I find strange for beardies.

When I do feed bugs I feed them 10 medium dubias dusted two times a week interchanging between cal with d3, cal without, and a probiotic multi vitamin supplement powder. I switch to BSFL every other week. They both get around 10 silkworms a month intermittently as a treat.

I got my female in May 2023 and the male in June 2023. The previous owners did feed appropriate salads and apparently they ate them? I don't know what I'm doing wrong here.

Both Vivarium specs in case required:
Both 12% arcadia uv's on both vivs changed this month
The UV on both vivs sits diagonally with the basking lamp so they get UV and heat at the same time.
Basking spots are 41C/43C, cool end is 33/28C
Vivs are 4 x 2 x 2
Waiting on parasite test results currently

 

[KarrieRee]

Both dragons are a healthy weight and are 2 years old. They eat bugs readily, I've tried the following: withholding bugs for upwards of 2 weeks, they did eat some salad then but then went right back to not eating it at all once they got bugs. I've tried bee pollen, flavoured calcium, bugs on the salads, fruit juice, repashy beardie buffet on the salads, varying types of veg, offering minimal fruit options - They have zero interest in fruit which I find strange for beardies.

When I do feed bugs I feed them 10 medium dubias dusted two times a week interchanging between cal with d3, cal without, and a probiotic multi vitamin supplement powder. I switch to BSFL every other week. They both get around 10 silkworms a month intermittently as a treat.

I got my female in May 2023 and the male in June 2023. The previous owners did feed appropriate salads and apparently they ate them? I don't know what I'm doing wrong here.

Both Vivarium specs in case required:
Both 12% arcadia uv's on both vivs changed this month
The UV on both vivs sits diagonally with the basking lamp so they get UV and heat at the same time.
Basking spots are 41C/43C, cool end is 33/28C
Vivs are 4 x 2 x 2
Waiting on parasite test results currently

Are the UVB's in the tank? I dont think your doing anything wrong- I have a 5 year old and he has started eating salads most every day- I have been putting them in his tank since he was a baby and only recently he has started eating them on a regular basis- take your BSFL and put them on top of your salads right in front of him - use them as lures -- dont feed him any dubias BSFL are a great staple feeder see if that works -- also silk worms add them too - 1-3 top of his salads they stick to everything

 

[blue11]

Your dragon sounds a lot like mine - it’s as if I’m literally offending her very existence by simply wanting her to eat some greens now and then

When the mood strikes, she will happily take several pieces of hand fed collards (it’s the green she likes the best) - but its just that I guess, when her body and her brain are telling her she needs some. But even then, it’s just a on and on waiting game until the next acceptance of them.

She will take a little bite or two of fruit a few times a month (particularly a banana slice or a little watermelon slice) - but alas, she is just not one of those dragons that eats greens every day or even every week.

I offer them often, but I’m usually met with her closing her eyes (which translates to nope) - unless she’s ready / she wants them on her time. Most of my greens end up going to her Dubia and then her Supers. In a sense she’s getting some from the feeders themselves that have eaten them, but not as far as her flying solo with salads.

I also have tried everything I can think of for all of her 12 years now to make it something she is excited about on a consistent basis - I’ve tried the bugs in the salad, tried a big variety of greens / veggies, etc …

Sometimes if she’s eating her bugs I will put a piece of collard on her the tip of her tongue when she is finishing up eating each one and - or like when she’s gaping when we are outside in the summer I’ll sneak a little piece of collard on her tongue and she’ll eat - but these are not steady or reliable.

I definitely feel your frustrations and that at a loss feeling - you are not alone for sure!

 

[sconley]

Are the UVB's in the tank? I dont think your doing anything wrong- I have a 5 year old and he has started eating salads most every day- I have been putting them in his tank since he was a baby and only recently he has started eating them on a regular basis- take your BSFL and put them on top of your salads right in front of him - use them as lures -- dont feed him any dubias BSFL are a great staple feeder see if that works -- also silk worms add them too - 1-3 top of his salads they stick to everything

Yeah screwed into the roof, T5 arcadia 24inch ones, thank you, that has made me feel a bit better about it all, I'll keep trying lol

 

[KarrieRee]

Yeah screwed into the roof, T5 arcadia 24inch ones, thank you, that has made me feel a bit better about it all, I'll keep trying lol

Make sure you have a distance of 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor