Picked Up My Little Man Today!!

[Sardonyx]

Hi everyone!

I just realised, that since I wrote my first posts here to try and save my girl, Flynn, I've never actually introduced myself... Doh! :roll:

Where do I start? Well, I live in Yorkshire, and am currently a mature student at University, although that takes a bit of a back-seat where my zoo is concerned! My babies come first!!!

Now, let me introduce my family!

* Firstly, I was proud owner of Flynn (the beardie I spoke above) She was 1 Yr. old, and I had her for 10 months:

* Then there's Herbie (Russian Tortoise, approx. 2 Yrs. old - or so I was told!). I've only had Herbie a couple of months, in which time I've been amazed at the lengths he will go to in attempt to escape!

Unfortunately, Herbie has not been looked after properly by his previous owners, who had brought him into my local pet shop. Hence his shell has pyramided. But, his diet, humidity and exercise has all since improved since I got him a couple of months ago, so hopefully he can begin to grow properly!

* And, of course, there's Lola. She's my lovely Royal Python (about 1 Yr. old) who I have had around 10 months. I'm not 100% she's a girl, but in my mind she is and I don't intend on having her probed to check!!!

* I also have 6 degus, a guinea pig and 2 roborovski hamsters!

Anyhow, I'm really pleased to have finally joined this awesome community! I love the forums and I'm finding myself on them every day!!! They're addictive!!

-Emma

 

[Sardonyx]

Now, I posted not long after I lost Flynn, regarding an intriguing little dude I saw on my first visit back to my local pet shop.

After many lovely replies, I thought hard about getting another beardie so soon after Flynn, but I decided I wanted to give the wee man a good home. And today, I picked him up!!

As I mentioned in the linked thread, he is very tiny for his age (he is around 7 months old) and his ribs are clearly showing near his back legs. He's got no belly on him whatsoever, so he's pretty underweight. Apparently he was the 'runt' of his clutch, and was bullied by the others. The pet shop thought he wasn't going to make it, but when they separated him he started to perk up. Now I've got him, and plan to feed him up good and proper! His appetite is rather enormous!!!

All I would like to know is this: should I feed him as much as he will eat, or limit it to normal rations? Just wondering with him being so small. I've started him off here with small crickets (with calcium/vit dusting), watercress (which he has eaten a mountain of) and spring/collard greens. I offered him wax worms, but he turned his nose up at them! If anyone thinks I need to alter his diet, I have no problem with this I just want to make sure I'm doing right for him!!

-Emma 8)

 

[fez09]

Congrats on your new baby (and I'm sorry about flynn)
As far as feeding him, you can feed him as much as he wants in a 10 minute time period twice per day. Mine all started eating only once a day at 7 months but since he's underweight I would offer live feeders 2 times...along with a daily salad of course! You might want to start slowly for the first few days to give his system time to adjust to the protien. You also want to keep him hydrated so give him a bath every day or every other day as well. Keep us updated with his progress, you'll have him fat and happy in no time!

 

[Sadona]

I have read your other thread about how you came across your little boy. I was in the same boat when I lost my Cinder. I was so upset and emotional, I didn't know when I would get another dragon. I prayed and really thought about it, asking if I should have another dragon in my life. Low and behold, I looked on the for sale section of this forum and found something amazing - someone selling two beardies in my state (very rare) who just didn't have the time for them along with some awesome homemade vivariums (I was planning on building one, but I didn't know where I was going to find the time) . It was a sign, and I jumped at the offer - when I saw those two sweeties, I fell in love, but the male seemed to fit me better. I didn't plan on getting both of them, but I asked my boyfriend if he would be interested...so now on Friday we are going to get two new babies I can't wait!!!! At the time, I was still raw emotionally from Cinders death, but I have healed and now feel its time to give some other beardies some love.
But... I think him waving at you was a sign, you guys are meant to be! I'm glad you made the choice to bring him home.
As for feeding, its good that he has such a big appetite. Most of us dragon owners go by a feeding rule for new babies - feed them as much as they can eat within a 10-15 minuted period of time, then use this number as a template for every feeding.
As far as the greens go, I would stick to mainly collard greens for a daily salad and watercress occasionally.
With how much hes eating, he will probably be hitting a growth spurt pretty soon! Your doing fine so far, he sounds happy.

 

[sweetiepie9]

CONGRATS, I'm so glad you finally have him home & that he has a great appetite bodes well. Even if he's small for his age, as long as he's fat and happy, that's all that matters. You won't regret your decision. He'll just blossom with you, I know it. Keep us all posted and more pics as you can manage!

Deb

 

[Buggsy]

Wow another person for yorkshire! nice to see you! and your new boy looks lovely!