“I Don’t Want Any Of This.”

Lizards know what they want and what they don’t.

Check out Murph showing me he is not in the mood for food below!

Sometimes when lizards are hungry, they don’t say anything, 😁 we just give them their daily meal(s). Other times lizard parents can sense when their lizards are hungry, or lizards may tell their humans they’re hungry by licking their lips.

However, sometimes we are incorrect in thinking our lizards are hungry. Sometimes that lip-licking is just that, maybe they’re getting a quick smell of the atmosphere, or possibly having a momentary drooling issue.

Sometimes meal time is tricky business.

Lizards can be finicky. Murph is the second Beardie in my life that requires hand-feeding. He didn’t use to be this way.

It began when I left the country for 2 weeks, he became so depressed that he stopped eating, pooing, and became lethargic, worrying his caretakers. Upon my return, he still wouldn’t eat, so I began making smoothies, and feeding him with a syringe (not too runny, not too thick)!!

One day, finally, he was interested in solid food again, but from that point forward, he needs it given to him.

One may say, “If they’re hungry enough, they’ll eat.” Nope, tried that. After 2 days of leaving a fresh medley of food for Murph’s sister, she still wouldn’t touch it. I knew she was hungry & I couldn’t take it anymore. I resumed hand-feeding.

Another food issue is that many lizards brumate during winter. This can be a scary time for the parents. Worrying about decent hydration & lack of nutrition or leftover food rotting in their bellies due to a slowed metabolism sucks, to put it simply.

Often when lizards do not want the food offered, they will do the following:

• Close the eye nearest the food
• Not open their mouths and look at you as if you should know better
• Literally shake their heads “No”

Here is Murph saying “No!”:

*A bit about brumation: To learn more, read HERE. Know not to take any one source of information as the absolute truth in every circumstance. Therein you will read of 60° F being fine for a brumating reptile (a Beardie, to be precise). I think that’s a bit too chilly, but maybe it’s not.

Once a week or so, one can soak their brumating reptile in shallow, warm water for maybe 15 minutes to aid with hydration. In the link above, you’ll read to supply a dish of fresh water inside the enclosure incase the lizard wakes. This may work, and certainly isn’t a bad idea, but some lizards don’t focus on still water. Having it dripped on their lips may inspire them to lick and drink.

Some lizards known to brumate may not do it every year, or at all. Murph, for example, just has “blah” days, and his sister brumated only twice. Overall though, one may pick up useful tips from different sources, the above link does contain some useful information. Things as these can only be known by research. For questions or tips regarding lizard care, we’ll try to help: Contact Us

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“Give me Lizardry or give me Death!” – Dawn Renée ❤️