Eating Habits

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I'm fairly new to owning lizards.  I currently have a chinese water dragon and a bearded dragon.  Normally when I drop crickets in the beardeds tank, he will hunt them down and eventually find them.  The problem that I have is with the water dragon.  When i try to feed him, he will eventually start to eat the crickets but very slowly and if there are any live ones in the tank, he will not touch them.  This concerns me since also he really wont hunt for food.  Is this a normal thing or not?

ANSWER: Hi Brock, if your water dragon is still eating I don't see a problem. They usually wait for the crickets to come to them, more often then hunt them down and attack. Although both can be normal there may be something wrong. Be sure they are no bigger then the space between his eyes. Have you tried offering other food items? Such as superworms, roaches, silkworms, earthworms, or butterworms? Water Dragons also enjoy variety he may just be bored with the crickets. It could also be caused by stress, be sure all the temperatures and humidity are correct and he has a large enough enclosure (minimum for one adult is 4ft tall 4ft wide and 2ft deep)

I hope he is ok, let me know if any of these suggestions work.

-Yexalen

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QUESTION: Hi, I have another question.  My water dragon recently has had what looks like one red crust on his mouth.  Its only on one side, almost looks like a scab but I'm not sure.  I've been told that this could be potentially mouth rot.  Im not too sure though.  He doesnt seem to be in pain, hes still active and eats at his own pace like usual.  How would i tell that it is in-fact mouth rot or not?

ANSWER: Hello Brock, I don't think its mouth rot because mouth rot usually appears as white or yellowish in color as an infection. It is also never actually crusty, it is more wet and oozing. Mouth Rot is also known as Stomatitis (which you will be reading a lot in this link I will give you)

http://triciaswaterdragon.com/mouthrot.htm#things

As that link mentions it is most likely a piece of left over food, you can try to give him a bath and swab at it very gently with a wet qtip to try and see if it comes off.

Hope that helps

Oh and in the link if you scroll up or down you will read more information on Stomatitis.

Best of luck,
Yexalen

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QUESTION: I have a bearded dragon, he is still pretty young.  I know that all the time he doesnt eat  all the crickets I put in his tank.  Will he just eat them later when he gets hungry again or will he not eat them at all after he gets full?

Answer
Hi Brock, if he doesn't eat all the crickets you should remove the ones left over. Because at night the crickets will look for food and can chew at the toes and tail of your Bearded Dragon causing severe problems. When he is full take the rest out. Feed him again the next day. But because he is a baby try feeding twice a day to be sure he got all the crickets he needs.

Best of luck,
Yexalen