I was just given a bearderd dragon-help!

Question
QUESTION: The previous owner said he hadn't eaten for 3 weeks and he his mostly black while in his cage. When I hold him, he turns orange, what does orange mean? Now that he is in my care I want to nurture him back to health but I don't know how to get him to eat? The previous owner had only given him 2 crickets and had offered frozen vegaetables but he wouldn't eat the veggies. I gave him fresh lettuce, corn, and carrots but he won't eat those either. I'm sure he is pro trying to get use to the environmental change too, but i'm scared he won't evere eat. He walks around and fals alseep when I hold him. I am going to buy a new light for his cage but what kind? and is play sand fine to use as bedding. Please help! I love this little guy and want to see him healthy.

ANSWER: Hi Bekah, Beardeds make great pets and are easy to fall in love with. The black colouring is a concern but it is a good sign that he turns orange in your hands. Beardeds are dark when they are ill and/or cold. It sounds like yours is cold. From your remark about buying him a new light, I'm assuming he may not have one now. He should have two kinds of lighting, a heat light to provide a basking temperature of around 100F or 39C and a reptile UVB light to mimic the sun's rays. The second light helps with vitamin D3 synthesis and calcium absorption. All of their bodily functions including appetite and immune system are powered by this external heat. It is critical that he have it, it is very likely the reason that he has not been eating. You are correct in that the recent change of situation is also a factor. Play sand can be used as a substrate for adults although there is always a chance of accidental ingestion with any loose substrate. There is a fair amount of detail to go over for their proper diet, environment and calcium/vitamin needs, I have included two links that are very thorough. Enjoy your new dragon, it sounds like he was lucky to have ended up in your care.


http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BDcare.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=17&cat=1796&articleid=2730

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QUESTION: Thank you so much for responding so quickly to my last question! He is doing better since he has gotten warmer. He ate 5 crickets today but I'm still working on the veggies. I bought a repti basking spot light and a 7% UVB coil lamp/20 watt for his cage- Will that work fine? I'm not sure though which one should be directly above him? The pet store I bought them at was not very helpful. My room is reasonably warm but does he still need a light on at  night? Also his poop was slimy and black, is that ok? I'm not sure yet how their feces is suppose to look.  Also can cleaners be used to clean out their cage and how often? Bob and I thank you!

Answer
Hi Bekah, Your lighting sounds fine. You should test the area under the basking light with a thermometer to make sure it is in the right range of around 100F. It should be positioned near one end of the tank so that he can also get away from the heat. They move in and out of the heat to regulate their body temperatures. Position the coil lamp close to the heat lamp on the same side and keep them on for around 12 hours. You can turn both lamps off at night. Seeing as he is just getting back on track with the proper temperature and eating well again I would not worry too much just yet about the veggies or the black stools. Both situations will likely resolve with a proper diet and environment. Their droppings are similar to birds with a brown/black fecal portions and a white urate portion. The consistency can change with the diet but if you notice it becoming really watery or foul smelling then you should take a sample to your vet.
I don't like to use any commercial cleaners on my cages. Lysol and pinesol both contain phenols which are quite toxic for reptiles. I just use vinegar and water with a little baking soda for abrasion.