Hello all. A 6 year old male Bearded Dragon was literally dropped off on my front door step a few days ago. He'd been kept in a 40 gallon tank w/ a broken screen top, no UVB, a regular Reveal lightbulb for heat, no thermometer, and on pine shavings. His cage was filthy, with, I kid you not, at least 2 inches of caked on dirt, feces, dead insects, and mold. The cage was so dusty, i started sneezing as soon as I opened it. It was disgusting! I've since disinfected the enclosure, given him a 10% UVB bulb across the entire enclosure, and a 100 watt Powersun UV for his backing area, and added a lot of cork bark and driftwood pieces. I keep the basking area at 100 degrees and the cooler area ranges from 82-85 degrees. The middle of the tank is in the low 90's. I gave him a good soak and he had a HUGE bowel movement, and he drank heavily. He's taking mealworms, pheonix worms, and crickets well, but I haven't been able to get him to touch his salad. I'm offering mustard and dandelion greens, shredded carrots, and grated squash. I'm also offering pellets and 1 tablespoon on canned Bearded Dragon diet. He's not even interested in anything, though he really hasn't been offered any of these things in the past. He's survived thus far on mealworms alone. Any ideas on how to get him to try some veggies? Anything would be appreciated. Thanks!

All the Bearded Dragons I have ever rescued were a pain in the butt to get to eat their salad, lol. I started off with baby food in a dropper and would drop it on their mouth and nose, if they dont lick it off, then you have to revert to force feeding. However I would not stress to much right now, he is probably just trying to adjust! Good for you for helping him! I just love those drop and runs, lol. You can also puree some mango and lightly cover the greens with it so it smells yummy. That has sometimes worked for me.

He definitely needs time to adjust to the new enviroment. If he dont eat in a few days let me know, I have a great slurry recipe that seems to help stimulate the appetite. You may also looking at getting some Nutribac.

http://reptileguides.herpcenter.com/...162.html?t=162
NutriBAC df - ReptileUV

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Hey pass that slurry recipe on, lol. I still get them in occassionaly. I do not have any in now, but it is only a matter of time, so share GEEZ, lol

Slurry is amazing...I've got a few variations on it.

You could also try cutting the salad up really tiny and throwing some mealies into it and hoping he accidentally eats some and likes it...I've had my guy for 3 years and I still do that.

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Or you might try the old standby for inducing baby Bearded Dragons to eat greens. Feed them the greens in the morning and save the good stuff (bugs) till laterin the evening.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Mini update: So, I tried putting some m ealies in with the salad, and he took the mealies, but he spit out any salad he caught. He has an amazing appetite- he'll take all the crickets and worms I offer. He's settling in a little bit more now. He's stopped puffing up and darkening his beard any time you go near him, so we're making progress. I'm going to try the slurry tomorrow- thanks!

The rescue I took in wouldnt take his greens either the lady I got him from said he would never eat them.

I have got him to eat a few in a mornings sprayed with water but its a pain, I have to play with it make it look alive, I throw his crix in his salad dish in the afternoons and he catches it along with the crix lol