Squiggy came to me through an ad his owner placed on KSL classifieds. She listed Squiggy as a "special needs" beardie. Squiggy didn't have adequate nutrition or a UVB light (for vitamin metabolism) as a tiny beardie, and his body failed to form right. He lacks control and coordination over all of his limbs. His arms have the most control, but often the joints lock up and he can't move them.
His body may be deformed but he has a LOT of passion! He eats great, he struggles to walk, he LOVES to have his head pet. As soon as he sees my hand, he closes his eyes in anticipation of being loved on. It warms my heart. <3
At our house, he has a new regime of treatment:
-lots of gut-loaded, calcium-coated crickets & superworms to fatten him up (yesterday he ate 12 large crickets and 5 worms)
-lots of fresh greens
-a daily oral calcium and multi-vitamin
-weekly calcium injections
-30 minutes of direct sunlight every day
-daily baths to help build up his muscle tone and coordination
-a UVB light directly over his head in his tank
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| Squiggy's legs curve forward and don't bend at the knee |
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| He has little to no control over his legs |
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| He loves this piece of wood and often basks on it |
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| You can see how his front legs lock up on him |
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| Woo hoo! For a moment he looks like a normal beardie! |