Older Beardie Behavior

[PastelBeardie2]

Jayden is 11 years old, and I've had him since 2014. It's been a while since he chased crickets. I hand feed them to him. This morning he pooped on his favorite basking spot, and was just sitting there in it, looking around. Do beardies decline mentally as they get older? I know he isn't all that old, but after seeing it this morning, I'm a little concerned. He showed no sign of wanting to move away from the mess and I had to clean him up. Sorry if this is a silly question. I'm just wondering if it's an age related thing. TIA.

 

[KarrieRee]

Jayden is 11 years old, and I've had him since 2014. It's been a while since he chased crickets. I hand feed them to him. This morning he pooped on his favorite basking spot, and was just sitting there in it, looking around. Do beardies decline mentally as they get older? I know he isn't all that old, but after seeing it this morning, I'm a little concerned. He showed no sign of wanting to move away from the mess and I had to clean him up. Sorry if this is a silly question. I'm just wondering if it's an age related thing. TIA.

Lets ask AHBD she can help in that dept
@AHBD

 

[AHBD]

A beardie of any age can do that on rare occasions but if you see it happening regularly then it's possible that there's a slight decline .

 

[PastelBeardie2]

A beardie of any age can do that on rare occasions but if you see it happening regularly then it's possible that there's a slight decline .

OK, thank you! This is the first time he's ever done that. Hopefully it won't happen again.

 

[AHBD]

You're welcome, hopefully Jayden is O.K.

 

[xp29]

I have a rescue that was paralyzed in her hind legs, it took a little while to get her walking again. When she would poop she couldn't stand to avoid being in it. Now a year later she walks decently well BUT she still won't avoid setting in her poop. It can be a learned habit, be carfull to not let your dragon learn to do that if you can, it's easier to break a habit by not letting it start in the first place. On a side note i think mine just likes getting the friggen baths after she sets in it

 

[PastelBeardie2]

I have a rescue that was paralyzed in her hind legs, it took a little while to get her walking again. When she would poop she couldn't stand to avoid being in it. Now a year later she walks decently well BUT she still won't avoid setting in her poop. It can be a learned habit, be carfull to not let your dragon learn to do that if you can, it's easier to break a habit by not letting it start in the first place. On a side note i think mine just likes getting the friggen baths after she sets in it

LOL, he usually does his business then leaves that part of his viv. When he sees me, he looks at me like, "Well? Are you gonna clean that up or what?"

This was very unusual for him, and he will be 12 next summer, so I keep an extra watchful eye on his health. He'd better not get any ideas about making a habit out of this!

 

[xp29]

Beardies are the most stubborn animals on the planet, good luck lol