Seven Month Old Beardie Eating Less- Normal?

[Raging]

Hello!

I posted last week that my seven month, seventeen inch dragon was boycotting crickets.

Well, he still doesn't really go crazy over them. He would rather have worms or roaches. But he's gone from 20-30 crickets a day to 10-20. He devours his salad though, and he still loves worms.

Is it too early for him to be making the transition from more protein to more salad? I didn't expect it to happen for another few months but he seems to be doing just that.

 

[CooperDragon]

10-20 crickets is still a decent amount. If he's eating lots of salad, that's great. It is possible that he is starting the transition a little earlier than normal but that's OK. I would still provide a meal of feeders every day and just keep a nice big fresh salad available with some goodies like collard or turnip greens, maybe some squash or green beans.

 

[Raging]

Thank you for the reply!

He's super enthusiastic about his salad. I usually use turnip greens as the main ingredient and use "treat toppers" like berries, mango, green beans, etc.

Because his activity is so normal I really am not too concerned yet. I've also hear of a puberty picky phase?

 

[CooperDragon]

That sounds great to me. There is a puberty picky phase (and hyper/aggressive to go along) and there are also shed related picky phases. From what I've seen, they don't tend to last for more than a few weeks or so.

 

[Taterbug]

One of the easiest ways to set your mind at easy is to track weight. So long as your dragon isn't loosing weight he should be fine.

 

[CooperDragon]

^ I agree, keeping a weight chart is a great way to monitor general health. I keep a weight chart for Dundee.

 

[Raging]

That sounds like a good idea! Do you use a kitchen scale?

 

[Taterbug]

Yep! Either one with a big enough platform or I just use a lightweight tub for him to sit in.

 

[CooperDragon]

I put the top of a shoebox on the scale. It's just big enough to hold him and I just tare the scale before I put him in the box top.