UH OH!

[Missmissy]

So i went to the petstore yesterday and told them i wanted mealworms, i asked if my baby beardie could eat them alive, he said yes. I told him i also need crickets, when i got home i got the crickets out and noticed they were a little on the bigger size then what i had been giving him. He seemed starved tho so i gave him like 7 of the crickets and 2 meal worms. Today i gave him some greens and he didnt seem interested, so i dropped 1 cricket in there and he has not ate it so i am going to take it out. Did i over feed him on the larget crickets? Do you think he will be ok?

 

[Beardednoob]

This is a possibility, depending on your dragons size and his enclosure setup.

I would up his bathing frequency to 3-5 times a week in 94-98°F shoulder height water for 10-15 minutes, the normal bathing water temperature is 93-96°F, the increase in water temperature will not hurt him but can further relax him. This and a very gentle massage from the dragons chest down to his vent while still in the bath, can help.

What you want to ensure is that your dragon defecates before topping on more food/feeders. If he happens to eat more it can only worsen the situation. If he drinks in the bath though it can help with the digestion/passing of matter in his bowels.

I wouldn't recommend to feed mealworms as they are low in nutrition and what is there is further decreased during digestion due to their chitin shells. Mealworms can also cause impaction in dragons under 16+ inches in length or dragons who are housed with poor husbandry. Feeding too large of food/feeders can have this same result. Impaction doesn't just stop at a blockage in the digestive tract but, can also lead to paralysis and or may even be fatal.

How is your dragon doing now? Is he awake or is it lights out?

 

[Missmissy]

No he is awake, we stay up late at nights. I have never given him a bath.. hmm any tips on this? He is a baby, the one you see in my avatar and signature and he is in a 10g for now. SO i just get some water about 95 degree to his shoulder height and just let him soak?

 

[Beardednoob]

No he is awake, we stay up late at nights. I have never given him a bath.. hmm any tips on this? He is a baby, the one you see in my avatar and signature and he is in a 10g for now. SO i just get some water about 95 degree to his shoulder height and just let him soak?

You can use a small plastic bin or something to the like. Only fill the bath to his shoulders max with 94-98°F water. If you have a thermometer with probe (zoo med I know for sure is usable in water) you can get an accurate temperature reading of the water. Then let him soak in the water, gracefully place him in, you can leave your fingers in the water for his security. You can place a paper towel on the bottom of the bath for his footing. Monitor him at all times, dragons can aspire water easily. If he goes to drink ensure his nostrils stay above the water line.

Splashing and trying to get out is most likely expected, puffing of the body can be expected too, if he puffs though he is scared. As said above leaving you fingers in the water for him to grab onto will help with his security.

Bath for 10-15 minutes. Bathing on a schedule of 2-3 times a week is recommended, especially for young dragons as they can dehydrate easily due to them not eating greens on a regular basis. Providing hydration in the form of baths can help with shedding and future sheds as well, as the dragon will have the hydration needed for shed.

 

[Missmissy]

is it normal for a beardie to be snippy? He was not happy with me when i got him out, and he tried to snap at my hand. Few days ago when i was offering him some food he snapped at me as well?

 

[Beardednoob]

Depends, if the dragon is tired he could be cranky, if he is shedding can also be cranky. If you try to pick him up from behind you could be triggering a fight or flight response. If he hurts it could also cause this.

When you pick him up gracefully move your hand near his face from in front of him, he should smell your hand, if he stays in that spot it should mean "okay pick me up/pet me" if he leaves that spot he might be saying "no/not now". The other option to picking up is from the side but, more recommended to try to pick up from the front. I can dig up a video I had made long ago of this if you want?

 

[Missmissy]

yeah sure Thanks!

 

[Beardednoob]

yeah sure Thanks!

LOL Like I stated it is an old video.

 

[xotamilxo]

Hey Thank You for the video It helped Me another Newbie...I was wondering the same thing.So Thanks Alot for posting