Some questions about new Bearded Dragon

[Lana's_mom]

I have some questions about the new Bearded Dragon we got. He is a few years old I believe, and is pretty big, so he isn't a baby or anything. We picked him up with his setup last week from a family who's child had lost interest in him. First thing is he seems to only want to eat Superworms, He has eaten a couple of crickets but not often, and he won't touch his veggies. How do I get him to eat the veggies? I added a small amount of baby food carrots on it today and he tasted it and than ignored them.
Than he came with a 40 gallon tank, but I plan to move him up to a 75 gallon tank with tile in it. He only came with a basking bulb, so I went out and got a UVB bulb, one of the weird shaped ones since that was all the store had at the time, but than was able to get one of the long bulbs aswell. So the weird bulb is over his basking spot and the long bulb is over the other side of the tank. It isn't long enough to go end to end. Well today he has been running from end to end and rubbing his face like he is trying to get out of the tank and scratching at the sides of the tank. What does this mean? I don't want him to rub his nose raw. I am working on getting the 75 gallon tank ready as soon as possible, but the people I got it from had made a fake rock formation that was made with grout or something and it was in bad shape so I have been scrapping that out and am almost done, and than need to wash it good and get the tile in it. But until its done what can I do to make him happy in the other tank?
And one last question. I read that I should soak him once a week in water. Is this true? I want to be sure. Something I have read say yes others say no. Thanks for any help

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

First thing is he seems to only want to eat Superworms, He has eaten a couple of crickets but not often, and he won't touch his veggies. How do I get him to eat the veggies? I added a small amount of baby food carrots on it today and he tasted it and than ignored them.

Superworms are okay as an occasional supplement but are not good as the primary food source (nor any other worms). Dragons like them better so you'll have to wean him off them and onto crickets or dubias. He'll take to dubias immediately and devour them. Try Romaine lettuce and yellow squash for veggies. Dark greens, like collards, are slightly more nutritious but do not taste nearly as good to dragons and he'll do just fine starting on the much more palatable romaine. A spring mix can also work well.


Than he came with a 40 gallon tank, but I plan to move him up to a 75 gallon tank with tile in it. He only came with a basking bulb, so I went out and got a UVB bulb, one of the weird shaped ones since that was all the store had at the time, but than was able to get one of the long bulbs aswell. So the weird bulb is over his basking spot and the long bulb is over the other side of the tank. It isn't long enough to go end to end.

That's great that you're upgrading the size. Don't use any spiral UVB bulbs, they're known for causing eye problems. The long bulb doesn't have to go the entire length, it's not supposed to. It would go best with the basking light so he can absorb the UVB while basking.



Well today he has been running from end to end and rubbing his face like he is trying to get out of the tank and scratching at the sides of the tank. What does this mean? I don't want him to rub his nose raw. I am working on getting the 75 gallon tank ready as soon as possible, but the people I got it from had made a fake rock formation that was made with grout or something and it was in bad shape so I have been scrapping that out and am almost done, and than need to wash it good and get the tile in it. But until its done what can I do to make him happy in the other tank?

First check your temps. He could be uncomfortable and is trying to find a way out. He could also just be seeing a bug on the ground and is trying to get to it. The best way to make him happy is to make sure the temps are right and get him on a good diet.

And one last question. I read that I should soak him once a week in water. Is this true? I want to be sure. Something I have read say yes others say no. Thanks for any help


No, there's no reason to regularly soak a dragon. Some people choose too and while it's probably not harmful (no more than 1x weekly!), it's not something you *should* be doing. A water bowel or daily spraying combined with a good diet should give your dragon all the hydration he needs. It is very beneficial though to soak a dehydrated dragon (from sickness, being gravid, or just forgetting to drink from the water bowel).

[Lana's_mom]

Thank you for all the information So the Romaine Lettuce is ok for Beardies? I have heard that all lettuce was bad for them. I will get the stuff changed around and thanks again for the information.

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

Thank you for all the information So the Romaine Lettuce is ok for Beardies? I have heard that all lettuce was bad for them. I will get the stuff changed around and thanks again for the information.

No problem! Yes, Romaine lettuce is just fine and much better tasting. The Bearded Dragon Manual (I highly recommend it) actually lists Romaine as the best greens to give. Spring greens are bit better but either is fine. Greens to steer clear of are iceberg and spinach.