help with beardie!

[Jestersevens]

Hi! i have just got a bearded dragon from someone who could no longer keep it. he is housed in a 4ft x 2ft tank has a couple of heat mats a 42" uv light a heat lamp, some nice rock things, all in all he has a nice pad! the problem i have is he only seems to eat about 3-5 crickets a week, iv been told he is supposed to eat about 2-4 a day? eats lots of fresh salad stuff. he is 3 years old, just wondering if this is normal? i have been told that he may be "sulking" because he had to be moved and rehoused? (this was by a reputable reptile dealer). just wondered what people here thought! thanks in advance!

[cooljules]

Originally Posted by Jestersevens

Hi! i have just got a bearded dragon from someone who could no longer keep it. he is housed in a 4ft x 2ft tank has a couple of heat mats a 42" uv light a heat lamp, some nice rock things, all in all he has a nice pad! the problem i have is he only seems to eat about 3-5 crickets a week, iv been told he is supposed to eat about 2-4 a day? eats lots of fresh salad stuff. he is 3 years old, just wondering if this is normal? i have been told that he may be "sulking" because he had to be moved and rehoused? (this was by a reputable reptile dealer). just wondered what people here thought! thanks in advance!

suposed to eat upto 20 a day..but as a adult mostly greens, so thats not a problem

dont use heat mats, just a hot basking end and a cool end

[bmth girl]

Hi he maybe a bit stressed or maybe just a fussy eater, did he have crickets before in his diet, I wouldnt worry to much until he's settled in a bit and as for salad thats fantastic as its supposed to be 75% of his diet anyway....I would not offer him any live food for a couple of days then see how he goes...good luck with him

[bmth girl]

Sorry forgot to mention get rid of the heat mats they dont need them they detect heat from above so a really bright 100 watt bulb in your size viv will do .....heat mats can be a danger to bds just to be on the safe side get rid ...

[Aunty_Lizard]

I would give him time to settle in. It is also coming up to slowing down season were they dont eat as much and spend more time lazing and sleeping but it does seem a little early for him to brumating. Offer live food every other day and plenty of veg everyday. Just keep an eye on how much he is eating if he does prefer his veg then that is not too much of a problem as long as you dust it every other day with some calcium powder.

Liz

[Jestersevens]

thats awesome, thanks for the replies guys. puts my mind at rest! will ditch the mats and see how he does! thanks again!