Not sure if I have an emergency

[scribblesitm]

(pronouns are meaningless, neither lizard is sexed)

My daughter got two bearded dragons, and we set them up, they are about 4" snout to vent and 3" snout to vent. and they were originally set up in a 40 gallon breeder, lighting, felt for the substrate, basking spot etc. Diet consisting of commercial diet and crickets and mealworms. From the start the larger one was an eater. She isn't the issue. The other one is. The larger one did a lot of arm waving and a few headbobs, I thought with a 40 it would be fine and plenty of climbing room. Well, the smaller one has never shown the same appetite and as the larger decided that cage was HERS, I think he got stressed and he actually vomited cricket.

That was Friday. Immediately I set up a second cage. Moved the smaller to the new cage, but I don't think I had it warm enough friday. Saturday added an undertank and now the temp seems really good and he is very very active. Dragon is running around and moving but spends a lot of time basking. He will get up, run around his cage, bask in different areas, etc. He has had 2 small poops since the move. I have not witnessed him eating anything though.

The not eating is worrying me. Any suggestions of what to try or is it a situation where even if he is active I should try to get something in him regardless? Should I give him more time? My next thought is to get really small crickets today and see if that tempts him with their tinyness.

I've never had beardeds before, but other lizards I've had in the past even if they weren't interested in an appropriate sized prey item, sometimes little stuff made them happy.

 

[snazzyglasses]

First of all, it's good that you separated them, especially since it sounds like the one was turning into a bit of a bully. Good thinking!
As long as the UVB source and temps are correct in the new tank, it sounds like your little guy (or gal) could just be going through relocation stress. (Younger dragons are especially prone to it, since their instincts tell them to be wary of everything because they're so little and snack-sized for other animals)
Babies also dry out pretty quickly and that can cause them to lose their appetite in some cases, so be sure to keep him hydrated with regular baths and offer water from an eyedropper or needle-less syringe on the non-bath days.
You could definitely try the tiny crickets! Or take one of his current sized crickets (as long as the crix aren't any bigger than the space between his eyes) and squish it a bit so the guts come out, then rub some of the guts on his nose. Sometimes it seems like they need to be reminded that they're hungry.
If the cricket guts or smaller crix don't work and he still hasn't eaten after a few days you may want to pick up some chicken or turkey Stage 1 babyfood or some Carnivore Care, to get protein into his system. I could be wrong though, especially since I don't have experience with younger dragons (yet! ), but I don't think young'uns should go more than a few days without eating something.
Good luck with your little guys! <3

 

[chastityx]

i had almost exactly what snazzy said all typed out but i got beat to the punch! haha.

 

[snazzyglasses]

i had almost exactly what snazzy said all typed out but i got beat to the punch! haha.

lol! Sorry. Usually I'm the one getting beaten haha

 

[scribblesitm]

OK bath is in the plans for once I have the extra set of eyes home from school. There are tiny crickets in there now. Rosa, the bigger one is ... *sigh* doing fine I guess would be the words for her fat dragon bottom that somehow has managed at her small size to COVER a 40 gallon breeder from end to end in pieces of shed. I think I will try baby food tomorrow while the kiddo is at school if he isn't looking better after a bath and the tiny crickets tonight.

When I got home from the store getting tiny crickets, he was basking on the rock and then made a 2 1/2 inch jump to his fav basking branch. So he HAS energy I would just feel so much better if he was eating.

 

[chastityx]

OK bath is in the plans for once I have the extra set of eyes home from school. There are tiny crickets in there now. Rosa, the bigger one is ... *sigh* doing fine I guess would be the words for her fat dragon bottom that somehow has managed at her small size to COVER a 40 gallon breeder from end to end in pieces of shed. I think I will try baby food tomorrow while the kiddo is at school if he isn't looking better after a bath and the tiny crickets tonight.

When I got home from the store getting tiny crickets, he was basking on the rock and then made a 2 1/2 inch jump to his fav basking branch. So he HAS energy I would just feel so much better if he was eating.

if he is acting happy and healthy i wouldnt worry too much about eating just yet. offer him the food but if he doesn't want any he still might be readjusting to his new home. and LOL at your fatty dragon.

 

[scribblesitm]

Update. He looks thin but he did seem to like the bath. I had just a little water in a bowl and let him stay on my hand, making sure the water was about 93. At first he was confused, but I dunked a finger in the water and brought it to his nose and he licked the water, then my daughter did the same thing, then I brought my finger close and closer to the water leading him to it. He then drank from the water and his stomach looked a little bigger. Then I carefully put him back in the terrarium at his favorite basking spot and he is now seemingly happily basking, which I assume will let the water get absorbed into him real well.

 

[scribblesitm]

And second update: The daughter was down watching him and she saw him eat two or three of the little crickets I had picked up.

 

[chastityx]

And second update: The daughter was down watching him and she saw him eat two or three of the little crickets I had picked up.

YAY. eating is always a good sign. maybe he'll kick back in soon

 

[kcarello]

Pretty good advice so far,,,except where noone adviced you to stop feeding mealworms...they have a tough ekoskeleton shell that can cause impaction in dragons...a better choice,,but not till your dragon is 16" long,,is superworms,,but not till he is big enough.

 

[snazzyglasses]

Pretty good advice so far,,,except where noone adviced you to stop feeding mealworms...they have a tough ekoskeleton shell that can cause impaction in dragons...a better choice,,but not till your dragon is 16" long,,is superworms,,but not till he is big enough.

Oops, I missed that part somehow. Good catch!

 

[kcarello]

No problem...we are all here to help..