I just caught him eating dirt!

[laurahlove]

I thought I had all the rocks covering up the dirt good enough but he found a way in between them! I just caught him eating dirt is he okay?!?! I took him out to let him free roam on my curtains so I can fix it, I'm actually getting him a bigger enclosure today. Is he okay?

 

[laurie]

Unless he got big chunks of dirt, or you had tons of fertilizer in the dirt, he will most likely be fine. If you have some silkworms or hornworms, feed some of those, it might help move the dirt along.

 

[laurahlove]

Unless he got big chunks of dirt, or you had tons of fertilizer in the dirt, he will most likely be fine. If you have some silkworms or hornworms, feed some of those, it might help move the dirt along.

There wasn't any fertilizer in the dirt, I made sure I got the right kind before I put it in there. And all I have are mealworms at the moment, thank you!

 

[Djborx]

Mine has been doing the same this week, he is around for months and he has now started doing it. I've done some research and I found mixed opinions, some saying it's ok, that they are looking for minerals they are missing, to get rid of parasites or just a bad habit, and some others saying it's dangerous. Apparently it's more usual than what we think, we have to keep an eye of course for impaction. I wouldn't think that a little dirt is going to cause major problems (as long as the soil is not fertilized of course) but large amounts or big lumps will definitely increase the chance of impaction.

 

[RyU]

Should be fine. Dirt is something they can pass, so I'd be more worried if he was eating plastic plants or something like that.