I'm taking care of a senior beardie, he's about 11-12 (I got him from someone who neglected him so I don't know a lot of things about him for sure). I had to take out his last substrate (sand) because he got severely impacted (healed now after a lot of treatment), and I ordered tile but it'll take a few more days to deliver and cut. Right now he's on paper towels, but he keeps tearing at them from digging and I want to give him a dig spot. The problem is, he eats everything *except* his food. He gave himself diarrhea from overdrinking and kept digging trying to tear up his paper towels. I'm hoping a dig box will soothe him, but I don't want anything that can hurt him if he decides to ingest it like his old substrate. Any ideas?
He's probably a boy; I don't have 100% certainty because the last owner never took him to a vet. I've been told he's never laid eggs before, so I'm almost positive. He's never interacted with another beardied dragon before.
He's got a reptisun 5.0 UVB tube bulb, 24W. T5 HO, if that helps. Its on half the day, 7-8am to 6-7pm. He's got a ceramic heat emitter for his basking spot, averages about 100-105F, on all day and night. Please let me know if you need any more info, I'm kind of new to bearded dragon care.
He might be starting brumation. I don't know his signs very well, since I'm new to his behavior, but he hasn't been eating a lot. No other signs of distress though, just sleeping anytime and anywhere. I'm unsure if it's his age as a factor or actual brumation that's making him so tired.
Update: Fixing the light seems to have got him to start eating regular food again. I'm still planning to look into a dig box for him, but he's doing a bit better.
Update: Fixing the light seems to have got him to start eating regular food again. I'm still planning to look into a dig box for him, but he's doing a bit better.