SquiggleWolf":340vmfbd said:
Heya, Ive had Kaida for a couple of weeks now. He seems to be getting fairly used to me now.
I was wondering though since I read they like to dig. At what age should I introduce a digging spot in his tank? Also what should I use that's safe?
Other question, how important is a water bowl if Im giving him fresh greens every day and baths once a week? As well as the occasional misting him and his spots he likes to lay at. Especially since hes shedding again right now.
When they stop running around and licking everything then you can introduce them to a play sand dig box. Don’t leave it in their tank and they will likely lick it, but since mature beardies don’t lick things all the time it’s a bit less risky. Babies on the other hand will literally lick everything so it’s not good to have sand around. Do not use walnut shell or calci sand, those are dangerous.
I’ve never seen Mari drink standing water, you don’t need a water dish. They just don’t like stagnant water and it raises the humidity too much in their habitat. Just providing crisp veggies every day along with appropriate insects will be enough
hydration for them as they have adapted the ability to extract and retain as much water from food as possible. As a matter of fact, their urine comes out as a solid white urate log because they are so efficient at keeping water in their system.
Also don’t mist them, they are outback animals and don’t really appreciate it the same way that crested geckos do. They can actually get sick from a humid tank. From what I’ve experienced, people who mist their beardies actually end up with mildew growing in the tank, especially when they use reptile carpet and the paper backgrounds (I absolutely hate carpets, including the carpeted flooring in my car.).