New beardie owner

[Joanna]

Along with the stress of a poorly snake reappearing after a three week long adventure hiding in my house, I also picked up my new beardie today. Plus, I had to build his tank. Now he's sat there staring at me. He's called Stumpy because his right front leg is amputated at the knee by an overenthusiastic cricket, but he's grand!! I will be asking lots of questions in this forum, like I do in the boa ones!!


i'll post some pics of him once he's settled in!

Jo

[NicoleRussell]

great save!

[Alika]

Originally Posted by Joanna

his right front leg is amputated at the knee by an overenthusiastic cricket, but he's grand!!

Just out of curiosity, how does that happen? I've never heard of such a thing... I didn't know crickets were capable??

[Joanna]

It wasn't when he was in my care, but I was led to believe that he injured his leg by falling off a branch, and then someone put in some crickets that were too large, and they went for that leg. When I first saw him his foot was kind of hanging off, and that didn't happen by falling off the log. that's all I know really. He seems to be managing ok, but he does tend to windmill that arm a bit!! I just won't be leaving any crickets in his viv overnight when he's sleeping cos I wouldn't want him to lose anymore. Not sure how a two legged beardie would manage!!! would most likely wobble a lot!! Hee hee! shouldn't laugh - isn't funny!!

[Alika]

Awww, poor kid! At least he's in good hands now.

Thanks for clarifying... that makes a little more sense. I had these visions of a swarm of crickets attacking a full grown beardie and chewing it's leg off, and that just seemed... strange

[Joanna]

That would be horrible wouldn't it? I've swapped to feeding locusts at the moment because he's not too good at the crickets. I've been told they can stay in there at night because they don't do any damage. Anyone know anything different? Are locusts as good as crickets or should I wean back onto crickets? Are they just as nutritious or more fatty? Trying him with an apple today, the locusts will probably eat the stuff though!!

[Joanna]

I've tried him with locusts yesterday and he ate five. Now he won't eat again and keeps hiding. He's eaten one waxworm today and that's it. I've only had him a week so I'm putting it down to him settling in. He was eating well at the petshop and was on his own in the tank so shouldn't have worms. Is there any way of reducing stress, or any feeding tips that anyone has to get him to eat without stressing him out? Thankyou!

[NicoleRussell]

relax and let him settle in---a week is such a short period of time.

[Joanna]

He chased a couple of locusts around the tank this morning, so I've put in a couple of crickets. I figured it's best to offer them now because i can take them out tonight if he doesn't eat them. I've been having to use a dial thermometer until i could get the digital and I must admit I didn't quite believe how unreliable they are. I've been turning down the basking spot because it goes off the scale (>>120F), but I put the digital in and it's saying 112C at exactly the same place, so he may just have not warmed up enough to chase things!! The cool end is too cool at the mo, but I have a CHE on order, should come tomorrow, I managed to order the wrong type which is why it hasn't been sorted out earlier. I was told by the shop that the one bulb would be enough, not sure why I listened because I have the same tank for the RTB and he needs a CHE!! I'm meant to be quite bright, but every now and again I surprise myself!! Thanks for your help!!

	Ceramic Heat Emitter Ceramic Heat Emitter: A porcelain heating device that screws into a standard porcelain incandescent socket

[NicoleRussell]

There are many people who believe 120 is ok for a beardy anyway.
You'll find alot of conflicting info---but high basking spots are fine as long as you provide at least one other choice.....