Questions please help!

[AnnaC109]

Hi! I just have a few questions. This is my first beardie so I'm new to this. My bearded dragon is almost 3 months old and I've had him for a little over a month now. I've noticed some strange things. One is his eyes have been droopy for about a week now and they weren't like that before. He isn't dehydrated.

He poops 2-3 times a day and today I noticed it was runny and it has little grain type things in it. Does anyone know what that could be or is that normal??

Also, he is very very scared and skittish still. I handle him for a little bit everyday and he always runs from me and tries to squirm away. I can tell he wants to explore but I'm so afraid of losing him. Do you guys let your beardies roam around? If so is there anything I should do to be careful of not losing him?? I feel bad just holding him and not letting him explore. In the one picture it shows him laying flat on his stomach. He does this everyday and idk what to do to make him more comfortable with me.

One last thing. He has been shedding since I got him. He shed everywhere except his head, but now I noticed his back is grey and dull looking and the rest of him is bright. Could his back be shedding again?? How often do they shed?

Thank you guys!

 

[CooperDragon]

The droopy eyes could be related to shedding as well. Some of them just have droopy eyes naturally though. I'd keep an eye on it and see if it changes as the sheds progress. The little guys shed almost constantly. Much less frequent when they're adults.

Not sure on the poop. Can you post a photo of it? It's likely just related to what he was eating and not a big deal unless it's clear the room stinky.

I let my guy roam around all the time when I'm home. He has a portable basking spot he can return to and warm up. If you do this, be sure he's in an area that has been cleared of heavy objects that could fall, other animals, and things like vents are closed off so he can't fall in. They like to climb under furniture too. After a while you'll find his favorite hiding spots but I would keep a very close eye on him for a while while he's out.

 

[kingofnobbys]

Hi! I just have a few questions. This is my first beardie so I'm new to this. My bearded dragon is almost 3 months old and I've had him for a little over a month now. I've noticed some strange things. One is his eyes have been droopy for about a week now and they weren't like that before. He isn't dehydrated.

He poops 2-3 times a day and today I noticed it was runny and it has little grain type things in it. Does anyone know what that could be or is that normal?? <<<< this could be dietary - what are you feeding him each day , and how much ?


At 3 months old he should still be getting mostly live insects such as
>> BSF maggot (Phoenix Worms)
>> small (1.5in) and medium (2in) silkworms
>> 1/3 sized gutloaded dusted crickets or their equiv in roaches or locusts.

offer greens daily BUT DON'T let him pig out on them if it means he looses interest in his live insects.

Also, he is very very scared and skittish still. I handle him for a little bit everyday and he always runs from me and tries to squirm away.<<<< you have a livewire , my Toothless was like that, but he eventually came around and now enjoys a nice daddy snuggle and is very interactive with us. Pick times when he is relaxed or tired to pick him up for snuggles/petting/bonding, ie while he's basking after a big meal of bugs, when he's tired towards the end of his day , and if you give a food treat each time you pick him up to handle him, he'll soon learn to associate this with a something very pleasureable ( the food treat ) and he'll soon be looking foreward to this with anticipation when he sees you coming.
I can tell he wants to explore but I'm so afraid of losing him. Do you guys let your beardies roam around? If so is there anything I should do to be careful of not losing him?? <<< you can BUT ONLY IF YOU CAN provide a safe area in a room where he can't get hurt, or hide under / behind / between large heavy objects and furniture, I don't let my little ones explore on the floor until they are about 100g

I feel bad just holding him and not letting him explore. In the one picture it shows him laying flat on his stomach. He does this everyday and idk what to do to make him more comfortable with me.<<< I'm an advocate for handfeeding as a bonding ritual...it works wonders when taming / trustbuilding and bonding with lizards , wild and captive bred .

One last thing. He has been shedding since I got him. He shed everywhere except his head, but now I noticed his back is grey and dull looking and the rest of him is bright. Could his back be shedding again?? How often do they shed? <<< when young and growing FAST they shed lots , and frequently.

Thank you guys!

 

[AnnaC109]

I feed him crickets everyday about 50 a day bc he eats a lot. I've fed him some worms as treats and about once a week I give him arugula or dandelion leaves. I have a vet appointment on Friday to get him checked out. Hopefully everything is okay

 

[kingofnobbys]

I feed him crickets everyday about 50 a day bc he eats a lot. I've fed him some worms as treats and about once a week I give him arugula or dandelion leaves. I have a vet appointment on Friday to get him checked out. Hopefully everything is okay

Sounds like you need to consider upsizing his insects if he's going through 50 a day (of v-small or small crickets).
At 3 months old my Peppa and Toothless were on 1/3 size crickets and medium (2in) silkworms.

 

[AnnaC109]

I feed him 1/4 size. Is that too small?

 

[kingofnobbys]

I feed him 1/4 size. Is that too small?

Peppa was 60g and Toothless 51g at the same age , and on 1/3 size.