My baby Bearded dragon doesnt eat!

Question
QUESTION: Hi, my name is Nora, I had  bought a baby bearded dragon and even if everything looks fine, light, temperature, humidity and food size, I don't know way they refuse to eat after a couple of days, I said they because after the 12 day having my first baby dragon I went to talk to de sellers and they suggested to take the other one and see what happen and after a week having this one was the same so I want to know what am I doing wrong?
I can tell you that the size of the thank is 20 gal tall it has a mesh, substrate is kitchen towel, a 30W halogen light and 40W reg bulb light,rigth next a 10 uvb coiled bulb, a water container, a hide box to the cool side, the temperatures are 80F to 90F and a basking spot of 110F to 120F, during the night is 77F  I had try with different watts  and the others are to high or to low, the food size are crickets 2 weeks old (calcium dusted) and I had offered some greens every day, I water sprayed every other day on morning.
He ate last tuesday 5 crickets and 2 mini mealworms after those the only thing he is eating rigth now is chicken baby food just a little in the morning, so can you give me a hand? because I just don't know what else to do..thank you in advance.

ANSWER: Hello Nora,

Ok, there are several things we need to address.  
What are you measuring your temps with, a stick on type of thermometer, or a digital probe or a temp gun?  If you are using a stick on, they are way off.  I recommend using either a digital probe with a probe sensor, or a temp gun for better accuracy.
The basking temps should only be 95-110 at the highest.  The temps of 120 are way too high.  The cooler end only needs to be 78-82.  
So, overall, his temps are way too high & he is over heating & dehydrated.
The UVB that you are using, what brand is it?  I need the particular brand.  Coil UVB lights are horrible lights, have low output of UVB & low UVA emissions.  The Reptisun 10 coil light is very dangerous & causes eye problems & other health issues.  The best UVB you can get is the Reptisun 10 flourescent tube bulb.  You can get that online at:  www.petmountain.com
www.reptilesupply.com
www.bigappleherp.com
They are cheaper than in the petstores.
The lighting & heating is very important.  Try to focus the heating & basking on one end, so that he will bask & get UVB's at the same time.  
Good that your substrate is a towel, & not sand.  I think that if we can get his temps regulated, he will get back to normal.  


Let me know how he is doing.
Tracie


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

QUESTION: Thank you for helping me out. I got a digital thermometer and a temp. gun, when i take the temp. on his head it said 101F. The lowest i can get in the cool area is 84F and the ubv light is the one that you told me is the dangerous one(reptisun 10 coil). I had ordered one ubv flourescent from petmountain, so I have to wait for it arrive. In the mean time, what can I do? I work every other day so the days that I am home I am able to take him outside to bask in the sun. So how long do you think it would be enough for him out there? I didn't tell you that he is 6 1\2 inches and he weighs 11 grams. He's supposed to be about 9 weeks old by now. Thank you very much.

ANSWER: Hello Nora,

GREAT that the temps weren't as high as I had projected.  It depends on where you had them placed.  Sometimes when those stick ons are right by the basking area, it really throws them off.
I am sorry you had that bad light, that could be part of the problem right there.
So the temps are pretty good then.  The cool side, if 84 is all you can get no problem.  As long as the basking is between 95-110 no problem.  What were the temps when you checked directly below the basking light?
You can take him out in the sun for 30-45 minutes if you want to.  
I think once you get that new UVB light in, you will begin to see a huge difference in him.  
Try to get some extra oral fluids into him with a plastic dropper.
Let me know how he is doing.

Tracie

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

QUESTION: Hi again, I have good news. I went to change the paper towels and try to move things to another tank thinking in the temps. I had thought that like always the cricket I threw in at mid morning were under the papers. I only found one, which meant that he ate them all, and there's no way that the crickets could have gotten out. So, I think that he must have started eating now... Also, the temperature that was over his head was 101F. Thank you so much for your help and I will keep you updated on any changes.

Answer
Hello Nora,

GREAT, just make sure you don't keep any crickets in the tank overnight so they don't bite him.
I hope you are able to get the new UVB light soon too, that will really help him out alot.
It sounds like he is beginning to do better.  The temps sounds like they are much better now.  
Good job.  Let me know how he is doing, & I hope he continues to improve for you now.  :-))


Tracie