Baby Bearded Dragon and the new Mom

[Dain]

Hello,

I'm new here and I have to say I've found out I'm worrisome mother to a very young bearded dragon. I estimate that I got him at about 2 weeks old. I didn't realize this was a very young age to get a lizard but from what they said at the pet store I think she (or he) is about a month old now. I started out with what they told me she could eat and also what my sister (who has one about a year old, later found out he was about 3 months when she got him) recommended as well. A few days ago I find out I should definitely not be feeding the baby meal worms. I also found out she could be eating a massive amount of crickets per day. The pet store clearly had no clue how often to feed the poor mite because they were talking buying crickets once a week.

Up til now what I've been doing is, feeding him about 10 crickets (or, before a few days ago, 10 meal worms). If he seems to want more crickets we give him more. I also feed him greens, veg that can be found around the house (I have consulted a few lists on what is good for the little one) and repcal pellets soaked in water. I feel like a bad lizard mom because he isn't eating as many crickets and frankly if I had known the amount she was supposed to eat at this age I wouldn't have purchased a dragon this little. I try to mist her everyday, clean water, clean food bowl, reptile carpeting, light, rocks, log, etc.... I still feel like I'm not doing a very good job. Advice? How many repcal should he be eating? Should I up the crickets even though he doesn't seem to want more?

I want to do the best I can for this little one, even though I can't really afford 30-60 crickets a day. Advice? This little mite has grown on me in the last few weeks. Please help the new reptile mom.

[llovelace]

I would suggest reading all stickies for the beardies on this forum, I'm sure other members will chime in with some great suggestions.

[771subliminal]

welcome, check these sites out they should help you out

http://ball-pythons.net/modules/Sect...warticle&id=55 (great caresheet)

http://nyworms.com/crickets.htm (cheap crickets)

http://nyworms.com/ccare.htm (cricket care)

[jblaze]

NYWORMS is too expensive for 1000 crickets. If you want 1000 crickets I suggest visiting http://www.crix-n-wiggles.com

I ordered 1000 1/4 sized crickets for my young beardies and so far it has been working very well. You may be overwhelmed receiving that many crickets but it is not that bad. Just get a tupperware container, preferably a taller one (they can jump out of the smaller ones) and get a bunch of egg cartons so that they can hide. I bought Flukers Cricket Thirst Quencher for mine, they drink it and receive calcium apparently.

I like to gut load my crickets with fruits and vegetables. They enjoy kale, love oranges, apples, pretty much anything you throw in there they will consume.

I have two bearded dragons, the breeder I ordered one from decided to send two. That is why I ordered 1000 because the pet stores charge too much, 10 cents a cricket!

Post some pics of your beardie!

[PiebaldFan]

they arent suppose be be selling beardeds at such a young age they have to be at least 6 weeks old before release, but if urs is 2 weeks old like u say then i suggest ordering some pinhead crix or even small depending on wat size the distributor has them in , the crickets should be no bigger then the space between the dragons eyes , otherwise if the crickets are to big u can run the risk of an impaction PET STORES often lie just ot make money , so i suggest next u should try a breeder of line ur better of that way, just make sure the lil guy has a basking area and a cool spot , and mist him couple times a week and for a two week old he doesnt need greens as bad as those lil crix,
keep up the good work , i wanna see him all grown up in the next couple months

paul

[Dain]

My baby is 3 months old now. I have her on 3 week old crickets. She eats about 20 a day. She loves green kale and brocolli (purple kale is refused). She seems to be thriving nicely. She's shed 4 times since we got her and is very active and personable. We can tell her sex now and so her name is Molly. She loves to come out and run around on my desk and lick everything she sees. I've also had her wave at me a few times.

We had a problem with the cats getting into the cage and had a very scary few minutes when one of them caught her and ran off with her in his mouth. She was fine, thank god and we have fixed the cat problem.

I feel alot more confident now that she is growing and happy. Thank you all for your help. I'm sure I will have more questions at some point again.