Digging Box & Age

[Minion]

Just a bit curious. At what age is it okay to introduce a small digging box into a bearded dragon's enclosure? Is it okay to give them one as a baby/juvenile? If so, is there anything you can use inside them aside from alfalfa pellets (just because those seem a bit big for a baby)?

Thanks!

 

[Donkeysh0w]

I've always wondered this too

 

[Lenewen]

Sand is not good for a bearded dragon, especially a juvenile, HOWEVER if you put a small box in there full of sand for them to play in, I see nothing wrong with that. I give my girls sand bins to lay their eggs in and they dig full fledged caverns in the moist sand that they burrow into to lay their eggs. Giving them a small dirt bin that takes up less than 1/3 of their cage gives them good practice for future laying and likely won't hurt them.

 

[angelpaws]

Ive never had my boy on sand because of all that I've read about impactions but I've also read about the digging boxes. Beardies dont live entirely on sand but do dig and borrow. Zorro is constantly digging the carpet up so I feel he would enjoy a digging box. Hes about 17 inches now and will be a year in June.
Im sure I will get mixed responses on this but I'd like to hear from those who have tried it and what they were using. How has it been set up? I am not interested in covering the entire floor of the viv with the sand. Zorro's viv is a 40 gal high - front-opening tank.

Thanks all.

 

[Lenewen]

Typically a tupperware container about 6" deep that only takes up 1/3 of the tank is placed in there, usually on the cool side. The bearded dragons climb inside to dig and back out again to bask. I moisten the dirt so they can burrow in it and keep the dust out of the air. Some dragons never use it and some use it all the time.

 

[angelpaws]

I decided against the super fine sand and got the walnut shells for the digging box. I managed to find a small rabbit litter pan to contain the sand. What do you think?

 

[Lenewen]

The rabbit pan will work well. But the only problem with the substrate you chose is it's bigger so if she eats a piece, shes more likely to get impacted. I'd have stuck with sand personally :/

 

[angelpaws]

I was thinking that the superfine sand would stick to everything and make it more likely for him to eat some. I thought maybe the heavier weight and larger size of the walnut granules would be less appetizing. I also read about the superfine sand being very dusty and some folks were concerned about the potential for respiratory issues.
There are so many conflicting discussions about sand in general - thats kinda what made me not bother with it all together but I wanted to give Zorro another activity he could do in the cage. Arrgh..I guess more research and close monitoring. If he even take one lick..Im using the walnut shells in the garden!

Here's my handsome boy not too long ago. He's so photogenic, LOL :love5:

 

[Lenewen]

Awwwww hes a cutiee!!!


I wet my sand so it's not dusty. Well just keep an eye on the walnut, hopefully he doesnt bother with it!

 

[angelpaws]

Thanks a ton for the feedback!

I put the sandbox in yesterday and he could give a darn..LOL, figures right?. So we'll try it for a while but it would be funny that after all of this, he is not interested in the sand after all.

I have another quick question maybe you could answer. I use carpet on the remaining open floor of the viv. I've noticed that the carpet has begun to "fray" over the surface.Just general deterioration like a sweater does over many washings. I alternate between two carpets so I always have a clean one and I wash them in my machine. My question is, do you eventually have to replace carpet? He ate a cricket today and there was a string of carpet on his mouth. The string (still attached to the carpet) came away from his mouth but it made me think I might have to replace carpet after several months - maybe even anually.

Mind sharing thoughts on this? Appreciate it.

 

[morphmom]

You will have to replace the carpet once it's had it's day but have you thought about material? I use sewn flannel in my viv. AND I LOVE IT! Flannel is warm, slip resistant and takes years of washes. It also comes in just about every color or pattern. So you could have earthy green one day and pink zebra stripe the next! :lol: Here's a pic.

(Looks just like green repti carpet, but this will last 100x's longer :wink: )

 

[angelpaws]

@ morphmom
Love your viv! I have the same cage. I love the leaf decals you've got on there. Your little guy looks so happy!

So do his/her nails ever get caught up in the fabric? I never thought of using a different fabric. Its probably cheaper than buying the repticarpet too. Great idea - thanks!

 

[morphmom]

Thank you very much. I have never had an issue with the nails being caught. The flannel is very tight weaved. She'll even wiggle underneath if she wants a "blanket" You can pick up tons of fabric at thrift stores too in the form of bed sheets. I'll never switch substrate

 

[angelpaws]

Here's my set-up. Just wanted to share..
I thought in the close up you could see the carpet, but i see the glare from the window makes it difficult.

 

[morphmom]

That's very nice. I have an exo terra for my BD and my Leo. I'll never go back to a "Top Load" viv again! Very handsome healthy looking guy you have there :wink: