Wondering what kind I have.

[Cherie]

Oh, poor baby! It tears me up to see and hear of people that don't know how, or don't care, to raise such magnificent, loving beardies. Did you get him at a pet store or from someone?

 

[Sin2001]

I got him from a Classified ad. He came with His cage thats 29 gal and heat lamp and a regular light for $60.00 My son has been saving for 3 years to get a Dragon. Could not pass that deal. I can really tell he was not handled all that much. Still trying way had for him to eat his greens I got some Beardie bites I put in there but he picks the bited out. He loves mealworms. I am working him up to a normal diet. Any tips on getting a beardie to eat his greens would be great. I have tried Mustard and collard.

 

[angelpaws]

Beardies can be picky so you'll have to try various things from the beautiful dragons food list before you find something he really likes. This is a fun part of getting to know your boy.

My guy hated mustard greens. LOL!
I give mine Kale and dandelion greens together (from the supermarket). Also, (just my opinion) is to use caution with those mealworms. Not too many at once and not too often. Through research, I've read they may cause an impaction risk, especially in younger beardies. Gauging by the pic, your beardie - though older, looks the size of a young beardie so for the meantime I would consider treating him like one till he gets stronger.

Initially, to get my boy into his salad, I alternated between mealworms and waxworms (waxies are considered beardie candy). I placed about 5 a day atop his salad like croutons, this helps bring him to the salad and hopefully he'll grab a bite of the leafy greens. It also allows you to monitor him safely regarding impaction (making sure he's pooping frequently). Another good idea is to try offering small pieces of fruit in the salad. My guy loves dark fruit like blackberries, blueberries and strawberries. He also enjoys pears, grapes and squash. Any kind of squash works, like butternut!

Now, my boy is 10 months old. Hes about 17 inches long from nose to tip of tail. My guy's daily salad consists of all the goodies I mentioned and he eats it throughout the day. I leave it in overnight so IF any crickets remain in the viv, they'll gutload on the remaining bits of salad and wont try nibbling on him.

Your guy really pretty small so I would stay away from superworms for now but Phoenix worms can be attained in varying sizes and though they appear similar to waxies they are an excellent food source.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.

 

[hyperc]

You say he is 7 months old? How much does he weigh? It may just be the pic, but he looks small.

^Indeed, I agree your BD looks very young just by looking at the head and neck I say 2-3 months old
This is not the best photo but it is the first when I got Rex @ 2 months, and when looking at an older BD you can see the difference

 

[Sin2001]

ya his total length is right around 10 inches. I will get his weight up and feed him healthy so He can have a long full healthy life. I see some feed pinkies to there B.D. is this a must or are they ok not doing the Pinkie thing? If it is I just may invest in breeding feeders because My Python goes through them.

 

[Claudiusx]

No, you should never feed your dragon pinkies.

-Brandon

 

[Sin2001]

Ok I will note that I figured as much they get protein from there insects that they eat.

 

[Sin2001]

Also I have laying around I know I sound like a total addict I am. But I have a halogen Heat lamp its 50w I got it back awhile ago but stuck with red with my ball. The B.D. came with a Red light It warms it to right around 98 Im thinking the halogen should kick it to 109. Just a few people said it will make your pet go blind. Figured you all would know a bit better.

 

[Claudiusx]

I wouldn't say red bulbs make your dragon go blind, but they definitely are no good. You need a bright white basking bulb, not a colored one.

The bright white light actually will protect your dragons eyes from the uvb rays.

So in a way, red bulbs don't cause eye problems, its the lack of the bright white light that causes the problems.

-Brandon

 

[Sin2001]

awesome thanks for that info. Tomorrow when I wake him up he will have a new light source. Its fun learning about everything on Beardies. I have the Python thing down to a science where I keep his cage at 99* and 65% humidity. I sure love my reptile family. My 8 year old Human Daughter she is still learning how to hold Rango (b.d.) she sort of squeezes a bit. My 10 year old knows more than I do he has done 3 years of research on B.D.s. He is also one that has told a few people who own them to get bigger enclosures. Like one we know is a 4 year old still in a 20 gal.

 

[Cherie]

Are you going to get him a new enclosure? I wouldn't get anything less than a 40 gal. Also, what type of uvb light do you use?