Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am not sure if my son's beardie, Spyro, has a problem - or not. The beardie is 4 months old - it (we are not sure yet if it is a male or female) has a good appetite and poops almost daily. We recently, within the last 5-6 days, switched the beardie from a main diet of crickets to silkworms. Also about this time I switched papertowel rolls that my son uses to line the bottom of the beardies cage.

Recently, whenever the beardie poops, there is a large dark ring, 2-4", around the poop. I am not sure if the new papertowels are just absorbing the liquid from the poop more than the other brand I was using? Any thoughts?

Hi,

I wouldn't worry too much. Since you just switched to silkworms from crickets, he's still probably getting used to the change. Silkworms have a higher moisture content than crickets, hence more liquid in the poo. If however you notice unusually runny or smelly poop, make sure to take a fecal sample into the vet.
-Nicky
-----
What does friend mean to you?
A word so wrongfully abused
Are you like me, confused
All included but you
Alone...
The sounds of silence often soothe
Shapes and colors shift with mood
Pupils widen and change their hue
Rapid brown avoid clear blue
Why’s it have to be this way?
Be this way
Flowers watched through wide brown eyes
A child sings an unclaimed tune
Innocence spins cold cocoon
Grow to see the pain too soon
-Alice In Chains
2.1 Bearded Dragons: Gordo, Layne, & Chiquita
2.2 Cats: Zeus, Remi, Kiki & Delilah
1.0 Betta (Finally named him Mr. Purple)

I agree with Nicky. Silkworms have a higher water content. Until your beardies adjust to this, their poop will be more liquid. Silkies eat mulberry as you know. I think the darkness of the poop reflects the darkness inside the silkworms. Have you ever seen one get cut in half...yuck I know...but theyr'e dark brown inside. Don't worry...your beardies will adjust.
Jamie

Thanks! I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a big deal. We are having so much fun with him - but we are still new and trying to learn all we can....

well just asking about it shows that you care! Thanks for being a responsible owner!
Jamie