14 week old bearded dragon

Question
QUESTION: Our beardie was eating 3-4 crickets per day, occasionally a mealworm and very little greenery up until appx one month ago.  Since that time he as only eaten emergency RX food for beardies (we still offer all other foods)  He is not lethargic, still actively plays with his reflection, uses the bathroom very little (as he is ingesting only small amounts)  and is growing in length.  His habitat consists of reptile "carpet," a basking spot, UV lighting and "black" light in the evening.  Any suggestions would be helpful.

ANSWER: Hello Michelle,

How old is your dragon?  
What type & brand of UVB light are you using, a flourescent tube bulb or a compact or coil light?  How close is the UVB light to him?  The basking light, is it a bright white light or a colored light?
What type of thermometer do you use to measure the temps with, a stick on thermometer, a digital probe or a temp gun?  What are the temps in his tank?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My son's dragon is appx 14.5 wks old.  We use a UV bulb that emits bright white light (it was recommended by PetsMart), his basking spot is appx. 5.5 inches from the bulb itself and daytime temps run in the 80 range, tested via stick on thermometer.  He does move in and out of the light, sometimes hiding underneath the wood that is in his tank.  I assume that this is for temp regulation.

ANSWER: Hello Michelle,

I need a little more specific information.  :-))  What type & brand of UVB light is it?  It should have the brand stamped on the base of the bulb.  Is it a flourescent tube light or a compact or coil light?
The stick on thermometer will not be accurate for the basking temps.  They usually only measure the air temps & the glass temps.  I recommend getting a digital probe or a temp gun for better readings.  
You can get a digital probe from walmart, the acurite brand.  Or order it from  www.reptilesupply.com  
The temp gun you can get from  www.reptileuv.com

The basking temps need to be 95-110 & the cooler end around 78-82.  
Do you have the basking light directly beside the UVB light?  
Are you supplementing calcium 5 times per week for him?

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It is an Exo-Terra 100 watt Sun Glo Basking spot lamp (it does not indicate whether it is compact or not).  We purchased a probe today and the temps in the basking spot are 93.6.  We were supplementing calcium everyother day until he stopped eating, the rescue aid food has added calcium.  It is really hard to say if he is eating the greens we put out for him daily as he scatters them.

Answer
Hello Michelle,

The Exo Terra sun glo is a basic basking light.  So is that what you were saying your UVB source is?  
The Sun glo is not a UVB source it is just a basking light.  So it is not a compact just a flood type of light.  
Do you have a flourescent tube light for your UVB or not, just the Exo Terra?  
GREAT you got a digital probe.  So the temps are 93.6 so they need to come up just a bit.  Try to get a range from 95-110 for best basking ranges.  So, maybe add a low wattage household light bulb, using a small clamp light fixture that you can get from Home Depot or Lowes.  That should increase it just enough, say, a 50 watt or even a 40 watt.  
You will need to get a UVB light.  The best type of flourescent tube bulb is the Reptisun 10, or the Arcadia D3 12% flourescent tube bulb.  
Or, Exo Terra makes a mercury vapor bulb called the Solar Glo which puts out heat along with UVB lighting.  
If he is not eating, you will need to try to assist feed him a little bit.  I think though, if you get a UVB light & increase those temps you will find that his appetite will increase alot.
Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie