Poop Eater?

[ElectricPaladin]

So, I don't work from home and the deal I have with my wife is that the dragon is mostly my problem, so I can't leap into action the moment Jabberwock poops and remove it from the enclosure. I didn't (and still don't) expect this to be a problem... but it lead to this thoroughly revolting event.

According to my wife (via IM) my dragon just apparently ate his poop.

Well, full disclosure: he was standing with his nose near it, my wife looked away, and when she looked back it was gone. He might have just nosed it off the edge of the rock or something.

Or possibly he ate it.



Anyway, is this normal? Gross as it sounds, I know there are creatures (rats, for example) for whom a little poop eating is perfectly normal. Does this indicate a problem?

For whatever it's worth, by the way, my wife tells me that there were some "green and red and lumpy." Last time he pooped like that, I was able to identify bits of the romaine lettuce and carrot that went into his salad.

I know. Ugh.

Anyway, I'm a little nervous. Feedback would be greatly welcomed.

 

[catUK]

Hi, i've heard that this does happen so it is normal. I found a similar post and they quoted:

Your dragon may also be trying to "cover his tracks". Sometimes dragons will eat their own shed skin so that predators cannot find them. Wouldn't be surprised if it was a natural instinct to eat their own poo, as well. Also make sure you are feeding him enough

It may also be that he mistook it for a cricket?!

Hope this eases your mind a bit

 

[Sapphire]

That is gross, but some animals do it. I've heard the reason for some animals is because there's protein or something in the "leftovers" that attracts them (apparently that's why dogs eat cat poo, it's rich in nutrients or some such). If your beardie isn't digesting his food fully the first time, that could be why he feels the need to "re-ingest" it. Are you making sure he gets calcium and multivitamin powder? Have you had a fecal done? Parasites can steal the nutrients from your beardie's food as it's digested. He might not be getting the correct nourishment from his food.