About to adopt a 6yr old

[hermeticcharm]

So I am about to adopt a 6 year old beardie, he will be my first but I am well acquainted with reptile husbandry. I don't mean to say that I am a beardie expert by no means =P, I know there is a lot of research involved but I would like to think I would not make any of the more common mistakes. So, on to the concern....

I've been chatting with the owner through e-mail and she seems like she has certainly done her research, however, she can not seem to get her beardie to eat his greens. She offers fresh greens every morning, usually collard and kale, but from her e-mail it sounds like the only thing he will eat on a regular basis is pinky's which concerns me given his age and his diet having too much protein/fat. She also offers him superworms, wax worms, crickets (all dusted) and fruit with the prey items being alternated through out the week.

Any advice on what I might try to do when he comes home with us to get him back on greens?

If my reading and memory serves me well adults should have a diet roughly consisting of 70% veggies etc 30% prey items with fatty/protein.

[BPelizabeth]

Yes it is usually 80% to 20% at least that is what I read. I have also read that pinkies are NOT good for them. But Matt (beardeddragon) could probably tell you better. First off butter or wax worms are like candy and to be used sparingly. I would be suprised if she really did offer greens every day. I mean Bob is very pickey and I offer everyday...he is just finally eating them. You can try to sprinkle with calcuim, try putting a couple of worms in the salad....try some fresh fruit juice....variety is important and consistancy with them I found works. I give Bob his greens in the AM and then do not offer crickets until 2 pm. ??? Also attached is a page that has the breakdown of foods and what they can and cannot eat and how often. It is like the beardie food bible!!

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtrem...nframeset.html

[hermeticcharm]

Thanks for the reply hehe. Yeah I have come across beautiful dragons a bunch during my research. The person that I am adopting from even sent me a link for it. She said she read that pinkies aren't good for em but it is all he will eat regularly. I really do think she offers him all the other stuff, she seems like a good mommy.

He was left at a grooming store she was at and she offered to take him in, this was her first and only reptile. She said she did a ton of research and has come a long way with him but after the 2 years he has been with her she want to find an experienced home for him that knows more about herps.

I will not be giving him pinkies. Nor will I be giving him worms, cept for treats. I know from my leo that wax worms are just candy (lol) and I really don't trust super worms and their biting tendencies.

I am probably going to have to wait until I actually get him to see what I am dealing with, but any tips are greatly appreciated so I can be more prepared.