Overweight Beardie?? I need other opinions please!

[ohitslexluthor]

Hello! I'm a new bearded dragon owner and I just need some 2nd opinions on if my male bearded dragon is over weight or not.. I took him to the vet about a month or 2 ago and she said he was perfectly healthy other than having a parasite which she gave me medication for. I got my handsome bearded dragon at a local pet shop when he only fit about 2 of my fingers put together. I started feeding him super-worms about 3 weeks ago; But now I'm going to stop because I did some research that they are very fattening. His daily feeding routine would be about 3-5 worms; 10-15 crickets and a palm full of kale. Sometimes I would cut up blueberries and strawberries and put them in there but he would always eat around the fruit. I just moved him from a 55 gallon to a 75. His temp stays at about 100 degrees and the humidity varies... I live in Florida and I used to have the 55 by the window in my living room but I have moved the 75 away from the window for better placement. It stays at about 50-60. I have a humidifier in the tank; a small Eva-Dry brand I bought from Wal-Mart. I believe he turns 1 in October. (I have no clue how old he was when I first got him neither did the workers at the pet store... I estimate him at about 2-3 months when I first got him.) He's my pride and joy and I'm just nervous that I'm over-feeding him because I did buy a baby bearded dragon prior to me getting him and that one passed away 2 weeks later.. (Bought from the SAME pet store.. but the 1st one was way more smaller than him). Thanks on any tips, advice or input!

When I first got him:

Present:

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes he looks a little on the chunky side so cutting out those supers is gonna help -- as far as nutrition here is a website that will help w/ variety http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
The humidifier I would take out of the tank --- that to me is too risky for having him get a RI-- Florida has high enough humidity as it is and 50-60 is fine --- or even less- but the humidifier I would take out!
Karrie

 

[ohitslexluthor]

Yes he looks a little on the chunky side so cutting out those supers is gonna help -- as far as nutrition here is a website that will help w/ variety http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
The humidifier I would take out of the tank --- that to me is too risky for having him get a RI-- Florida has high enough humidity as it is and 50-60 is fine --- or even less- but the humidifier I would take out!
Karrie

Starting 7/3 I will cut out all supers of his diet; I will post some pictures a month from now to let you know how the progress is working.. Thanks!!!
I will also take out the humidifier out of the tank tonight after work... he's had it in there for about 4 months or so; Do you think he's okay from an RI? & Should I put it outside the tank or remove it all in general? It's very hard for me to get the humidity to 30-40.... that is why I bought the Eva-Dry humidifier.
Thank you for your input! It's greatly appreciated
I'm also open to any other suggestions on how to help his diet.
Maybe not feed him crickets every-day but as a snack every other day?
& How do I get him to start enjoying and eating fruit?! Is it normal that my beardie doesn't like them because they're all different? Or is it an underlying medical issue?

 

[KarrieRee]

Living in Florida I cannot see how the humidity is so low in the house - how are you taking the humidity level do you have a hydrometer? I have higher levels in my tank and I am in MN-
If he is a juvenile he needs crickets every day offer 2 times per day --- that is their main diet till about a year or so - if hes eating greens that is great but you need to be dusting his bugs 5 x per week w/ calcium D3 and vitamins 2 x per week --- he should be eating as many as he can in a 10-15 minute time frame- here is a website for nutrition http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
what kind of lighting do you have for your tank UVB brand and bulb? Please post a pic of his tank and lighting
Karrie

 

[Claudiusx]

I think there is some terminology confusion here lol.

What you have in your tank is a dehumidifier, correct? Something which lowers the humidity? A humidifier would raise the humidity of the tank, which is clearly not something you want to do

-Brandon

 

[Ellentomologist]

Also here with Brandon wondering if you have a dehumidifier instead of a humidifier... On the other hand, I live in a basement apartment and despite it raining every other day here the humidity is WAY too dry for comfort - like 10-20%, ugh.

To answer this post though, my is that a little chunk! Definitely time for a bit of a diet change. The super worms are also a bit dangerous - as is a high fat diet in general - not only becuase of obeseity but because it can cause liver disease. That said, I might "ween" him off of them instead of stopping cold turkey. He's a young bloke and has a lot of growing to do, I would be a bit concerned about him loosing weight too quickly, which I know can be dangerous in other animals... Granted, I mostly know about mammal biology when it comes to weight loss, not reptile. LOL! Regardless, fewer worms for that bugger!

He looks lovely otherwise.

Best,
-Ellen

 

[ohitslexluthor]

My apologies! Yes; it's a de-humidifier. I get the 2 confused quite a bit... oopsies lol.

I did remove it from the tank though just to be safe.. I just can't seem to get the humidity to stay around 30-40... It's always around 50-60 but I figured it's because I live in Florida with such a high humidity rate all the time.

I'm really scared to feed him any more supers so this morning but I'll ween him off like you said; I just purchased 20 of them so I'll feed him 3 a day then cut down as the week goes on til I have no more left. I fed him his usual crickets 10-15 of them and his palm full of kale mixed w/ cut up strawberries.

I'm glad he looks a little chunky instead of a lot I was getting super worried I was over-feeding him and I think I did when I added supers into the mix..... I'm just gonna stick w/ crickets for the protein. Maybe when he's a year old in October I'll start feeding him Beetles.

 

[ohitslexluthor]

Living in Florida I cannot see how the humidity is so low in the house - how are you taking the humidity level do you have a hydrometer? I have higher levels in my tank and I am in MN-
If he is a juvenile he needs crickets every day offer 2 times per day --- that is their main diet till about a year or so - if hes eating greens that is great but you need to be dusting his bugs 5 x per week w/ calcium D3 and vitamins 2 x per week --- he should be eating as many as he can in a 10-15 minute time frame- here is a website for nutrition http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
what kind of lighting do you have for your tank UVB brand and bulb? Please post a pic of his tank and lighting
Karrie

Here's some pictures of the enclosure and the reader

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I use a Zoo Med Combo Deep Dome Dual Lamp Fixture up to 160 watts per socket.
I couldn't tell you the bulbs exact watts but i know it's high lol.
& where could I buy this calcium to cover the crickets? I've seen it on YouTube videos before but I don't know where to purchase it.

 

[KarrieRee]

You have a beautiful tank --- however the lighting no so good-- the basking light is ok but the UVB if its a coil like I think it is please get rid of it -- here is some info on the UVB
Which UVB light should I use?
The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 10-11 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 8-10 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays-- I would get it changed out ASAP--- your screen on top you can get away w/ the T 5 being on top -- it looks like its a wide screen -- the T 8 would need to go inside the tank -- the reptile carpet you can change out its a pain --- you can get some either slated ceramic tile cut to size of tank by a tile cutter or textured non adhesive shelf liner - both from Home Depot Lowes etc --- easy to clean w/ vinegar/ water in a spray bottle 50/50 and the insects cannot get underneath
Karrie

 

[ohitslexluthor]

Thank you, i worked very hard to give him a spaceous home ☺

Do you mind if you sent some pics of the lighting i should use? I will look 4 the name you listed while i'm out... That could be the reason my humidity is always around the 60's.

 

[ohitslexluthor]

I bought the 5.0 one since it will be fine ontop of the screen.. I will post picture updates of the uvb ☺

 

[KarrieRee]

You actually need the 10.0 bulb to go on top of mesh -- you will need to get the 5.0 in the tank or take it back and get the 10.0---- it is up to you --- let me know what you decide --- the humidity level is fine at 50-60 -- its when it gets above 70 or so you need to be concerned about
Karrie

 

[Claudiusx]

Unless you meant you got the t5 bulb. The t5 bulb is stronger than the normal t8 bulb. Post a pic of what you bought if you want.

-Brandon

 

[ohitslexluthor]

Not a problem. I bought this bc it was the actual base + came with a free bulb.
I'm pretty clueless to this new stuff; So I apologize if I bought the wrong thing lol. It came out to a total of $68.

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[KarrieRee]

I am not sure if that's a 10.0 or not it's a long skinny tube so IAM wondering if it's a 10.0 - I will let someone else answer- I looked on box and I didn't see a 10.0 -- I would set it on top of screen for now - make sure he's about 10- 11 inches from basking area-- you got a good bulb so you will notice a difference in his behavior
Karrie