Juvenile tries to eat things he shouldn't be eating?

[kmcallah]

I have a 6 month old male bearded dragon who tries to eat lots of things. In fact, I have him free roaming right now and he tried to eat some of my clothing that I have hanging up (it is green, wondering if maybe he thought it was some sort of vegetable?). I keep a close eye on him while he is free roaming because he just tries to eat whatever is in front of him.

I have him in a bioactive enclosure and I put some charcoal from a springtail culture in there today and he was eating it. I make sure that he is well hydrated by giving him a bath and letting him drink every few days (sometimes he doesn't want to drink). Sometimes I hear him eating what I think is a dried leaf in his enclosure. Most of his diet consists of dubia roaches, I give him as many as he wants to eat twice a day. I dust them with either multivitamins or calcium once a day, switching it every so often. He also likes to eat tomatoes and collard greens.

I'm wondering what this could be? Is he eating the charcoal because he has a vitamin deficiency? Does he think it is a bug, then just thinks its tasty for whatever reason? I don't want him to suffer from impaction. Is this something he could grow out of?

 

[AHBD]

Yes, some beardies try to eat anything they can fit in their mouth so sometimes you have to be extra vigilant, like when they're free roaming. Make sure that there are no coins, rubber bands, shiny objects and small pieces of plastic toys. Best to remove the charcoal from the tank ASAP, the leaves are O.K if you know that they're approved for herbivore reptiles. Sounds like your dragon is having lots of fun, just be sure he's safe ! :lol: