lazy breaded dragon

Question
hi sandra,
         i have a year old breaded dragon it is about 19in long and 4in wide. i have noticed over the last week he has not really been eating. i feed him 5th and adult locus, he used to eat about 8-10 a day but  he is not really eating them at the min just his salad which i mix with calcuim. i am using his old viv as his feeding tank so i can keep an eye on waht he is eating. he would eat about 2 dishs of salad a day and have also noticed that he is not pooing as much as well. i read 1 off your old questions and you said they tend not to eat much when they are shedding. my male is starting to go on the tail and his head. i bath every week and spray him with a bio mix to help him shed.

i have recentely changed his tank to a bowed tank (121cm - long, 62cm - tall and 13cm wide at the smallest point 18cm wide at the bow). i haved checked the temps at the cold end wich is 28c and i am using a 100w blud in his basking spot.

He will sit up on a log near the top off the tank running down to his basking spot now and again and to eat his salad. he seams happy enough when i bring him out, he runs about exploring the room. all his actions are normal just not eating as much as he used to.
is this normal or do you think there is something wrong.
Thank you

Answer
Hi Norman

It sounds like the combination of moving him to a new tank-his starting a shed and his age could all come into play with his reduction of interest in food

You mention that you are feeding him in his old tank instead of in his new one
That also might be confusing him
I would suggest that you feed him in his new tank al of the time is that is possible

Also-he is right around puberty give or take a few months at 1 year of age and that can affect their appetite

It sounds as if there is nothing wrong with him from your description of his behavior other than his diminished appetite

A year old beardie has slowed down somewhat in growth compared to his first year of growth and that could also account for his not eating as much

BUT-check his poop and if it is runny and smelly he may have an internal parasite issue which would call for a fecal sample to be brought into your vet to be examined

How old is his UV bulb?
If it is anything but a Mercury Vapor Lamp-I believe that they are only good for a period of six months with full strength UV output
An lastly check the temp under the 100 watt spot bulb
I would think that it should be hot enough but you never know
A digital thermometer with a probe on the end(an indoor outdoor thermometer) is the best one for accurate temps
Or you can use a temp gun

If you think that there is a problem or anything other problems develop-I would at least call your vet and ask if they think that he should be seen

It is better to be safe than sorry

I know how attached that we become to these guys

Good Luck with you Beardie

Sandy aka LadyGecko