Perfect for all indoor and outdoor projects. If youre like most people, you probably think of your female dragon as a sweet and gentle creature. The box should be shallow and open, and the substrate should be moist but not wet. However, its not a good choice to cover the entire enclosure. Sand is a popular bearded dragon substrate that you will see lining pet store shelves. A female bearded dragons body and head are larger than a male bearded dragons. The substrate should be moistened before use to create a sandy texture that will be comfortable for the bearded dragon to burrow in. It doesnt soak up any liquid, but the gravel does have tiny nooks and crannies for messes to fall through. Its an easy sanitization method that does the job. Finally, keep her primary enclosure and her dig box clean and comfortable. If you dislike trimming your claws, this substrate will do the trick. SunVilla SV7X13 Realistic Indoor/Outdoor Artificial Grass/Turf 7 ft X 13 ft (91 square feet) is an ideal solution for those who enjoy realistic indoor/ outdoor artificial grass/Turf. All it takes is a quick run across the enclosure to kick up sand. Just take a walk through your local home improvement store! Looking to save a bit of money and time? Sand Comparison Table How Often To Change Bearded Dragon Substrate? Dragons with beards can grow to be as long as 24 inches. A bearded dragon may be hiding due to a variety of stressors. So, if youre a bearded dragon owner who is expecting a clutch of eggs soon, be sure to read up on the tips weve provided so you can give your dragon the best care possible. This material not only appears natural, but it also has a long lifespan and can withstand a wide range of temperature fluctuations. Did you find this article useful? Many bearded dragon owners feel that using sand as a substrate can increase the chances of gut impaction. This isnt true with all tiles. In a sense, they are only capable of becoming aggressive when they are concerned about their own safety. When To Give Your Gravid Dragon A Dig Box, Creating A Bearded Dragon Dig Box: Size and Materials, Heating a Dig Box: Temperature and Humidity, Digital Thermometer Hygrometer Temperature Controller for Reptile Tank, managing humidity in bearded dragon tanks. Its very difficult to clean and just provides a place for disease to flourish. The biggest perk is its low cost and easy maintenance. If you have the right substrate and the right environment, your bearded dragon will thrive. Great article, thank you! Usually, bearded dragons will lay more eggs during their breeding season in the summer, but it is normal for them to develop and lay multiple clutches any time of year. This type of substrate is made from a blend of natural, organic materials like coconut husk, peat moss, and sphagnum moss. On the other hand, although loose substrates arent recommended for standard enclosures due to potential impaction issues, they are just suitable for your dragons laying box since youll only be using them temporarily until your dragon deposits her clutch. What about feces and urine? Too much water will make it difficult for your dragon to dig, and too little will make it difficult for her to control the temperature and humidity of her eggs. When they are threatened, they make this decision to flee or fight. And not all of them work very well for them, so youll need to get all the facts right to ensure you get the best. Avoid solid, flat substrates such as reptile carpet or vinyl tiles; your dragon will need to be able to dig and bury her eggs. There are numerous explanations for why glass butting occurs. The warm water will not only be incredibly soothing for her, but it will also keep her hydrated, as she will absorb some of the water through her skin. When youre shopping for a substrate, youll come across several different options. Now you know the basics of what a dig box is; lets get into when exactly youll be giving your lizard her dig box and how to build and maintain it for her. Its advisable to keep multiple artificial grass pieces to ensure your beardie has one during cleaning days. How to Create a Bearded Dragon Dig Box Step 1: Choose a Container Step 2: Choose a Substrate Step 3: Fill the Container Step 4: Add Decorations How to Introduce Your Bearded Dragon to Their Dig Box Conclusion FAQs Table of Contents What is a Bearded Dragon Dig Box? Free to a good home in the Asheville, NC area. While lots of dark, leafy greens are ideal, other veggies like squash, bell peppers, and green beans will also give her some variety in her diet. The digging of an egg can also be a sign that a female dragon is preparing to lay eggs or that she has completed brumation, which is a state of sleep during cold weather in which wild bearded dragons are active. Most bearded dragons are solitary animals during the breeding season, but they will occasionally mate. You can also use the paper option when youre on a tight budget or buying time before setting up a better substrate for your beardie. However, if youve recently paired her with a male dragon, you might want to keep a close eye on her for any sudden weight gain or unusual behavior. The whole egg-laying process varies in length from the dragon, but healthy females usually lay an entire clutch within a couple of hours or so. Its purpose is to mimic the warm, damp sand wild bearded dragons typically bury their eggs in the wild. If so, what is the reason? A Bearded Dragons behaviors demonstrate its trust in its owner and its attachment to them. Dont use sand as a normal substrate, especially with young beardies, as they tend to ingest the sand and get impacted, which may cause severe health issues if not taken care of. Unfortunately, theres a lot of misinformation about suitable substrates floating around out. If you realize your tiles are a bit slippery, just add some topsoil with a non-toxic adhesive. Our post on managing humidity in bearded dragon tanks will help you maintain appropriate levels. Bearded dragon digging is exactly as it sounds. This is where she will lay her eggs in a warm, moist spot of sand, just like in her natural habitat. It is a place for the reptile to burrow and hide, providing an environment that mimics its natural habitat. And avoid using it for bearded dragon babies. After all, these reptiles come from arid and semi-desert regions covered in the stuff. Aside from keeping their skin clean and free of parasites, fungi, and bacteria, it also helps to keep their skin healthy and prevent it from becoming overly dry. Fresh & Commercial Food Sources. For tiles, wipe messes down. Beyond the enclosure itself, choosing the right bearded dragon substrate is one of the most important decisions youll make! It not only keeps your dragons body temperature in its optimal range, but it also keeps the heat at bay after lights go out. Do beardies dig? It sticks to everything and can easily make its way onto food. Ensure you remove the carpet for cleaning before it gets too messy. If you decide to use the loose particle substrate, I suggest keeping a close eye on your beardie. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. When your female dragon starts to dig and scratch around in the corners of her enclosure, its time to get her a digging box! The substrate for your bearded dragon is made from the ground and is placed in its dig box. Sylvia is passionate about sugar gliders and guinea pigs! Next, well cover the materials you need and the construction process. We prefer ReptiChips as they are easier to keep clean and provide a substrate for your bearded dragon to dig in. Why Do Ball Pythons Yawn & Should You Be Worried. They will dig tunnels and caves out of which to hide, and they will dig under sand and other substrates to hunt for insects and other natural foods. Take your time to really scrub the carpet clean. First, make sure you remove waste daily. However, its only recently becoming more widespread in the beardie community. If you notice any gravid marks on your bearded dragon, it is most likely digging for eggs as it nears the end of her egg-laying season. It indicates that they are preparing for egg laying. Youll also need to make some other adjustments to her diet and nutrition to help her growing body house her clutch of eggs. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Petsvills | All Rights Reserved. This includes the substrate. The reptiles, which appear to be docile and gentle, may become aggressive when threatened, including opening their mouths as a sign of aggression. Dont be fooled by clever marketing or product labels at the pet store. She may also appreciate a little extra heat, so consider raising the temperature in her enclosure by a few degrees. SunVilla grass Doesnt require any infill for even high traffic. But its important to remember: Youre shopping for substrate, not supplements! But like anything else, it comes down to the type of tile you use. Its fun to observe their natural digging behavior, and its important to make sure that the digging is safe for the dragon and wont cause any harm. 5 Easy Natural Remedies for Bearded Dragon Sores to Try! You can demonstrate what its for by putting them inside and pushing some substrate around, or leave it up to them to figure out. Machine washable for easy cleanup. Additionally, you can add in various items, such as plants and rocks, to provide your beardie with more stimulation. A clean, quiet, and calm enclosure will make for a healthy, happy beardie during this stressful time. After youve found the perfect container for your dragons digging box, youll then need to fill it up with a suitable substrate. This is why its crucial to understand how to construct and maintain a dig box so your pet will be able to deposit her eggs safely and quickly. I know, I know, youre thinking, Ugh, do I really have to change anything? Bio Bubble Pets. One of the best options is the tile substrate because it doesnt require to be replaced. There are a few different ways to make a dig boxthe following method is something I whipped up one night and I liked it so I stuck with it. But what if youre using a more permanent substrate? Otherwise, you might end up with one very cranky dragon on your hands! But you should never use it as a substrate. A Bearded Dragon is an interesting pet to watch, and it can be even more interesting to watch them digging in a corner. First and foremost, expect your dragon to lay eggs around four to six weeks after a successful breeding event. Step 3. Stick to high-quality carpets that have tightly woven fibers. Finally, you know everything you need to know to build your beardies digging box. Newspapers, paper towels, and other discarded paper products work quite well for bearded dragon enclosures! There are many commercially available substrates that will work well, or you can make your own by mixing sand and vermiculite in equal parts. 4 tone patterns are soft, lush and with 1 3/8" blade height just look like natural grass, providing you with year-round green and turf enjoyment. While flat substrate is an excellent option for a standard beardie enclosure, it doesnt make for a very comfortable surface for a gravid dragon to lay her eggs in. It matters because they are trying to scratch an internal itch that we can reach by presenting them with a simple cognitive task. Using a slab of slate or lava rock as a basking platform is a great way to thermoregulate your bearded dragon. You might also run into some problems around feeding time. You dont want the dig box to be overflowing with water; add water gradually until it is moderately damp and clumps together easily. There is no risk of impaction with adult bearded dragons if you use non-silica sands. Safe - cannot be ingested. If you are comfortable with your bearded dragon, introduce him to the dig box. A hideout is essential for your dragons safety and security; it must also be a place where he can retreat when threatened. Youre now ready to build your gravid beardies digging box! Doing so is just asking for diseases and health problems. Its also a good idea to use some silicone caulking to seal up any gaps that could injure your pet. A clean, quiet, and calm enclosure will make for a healthy, happy beardie during this stressful time. When selecting a substrate for your bearded dragon's tank, you should choose one of three options: Tile, excavator clay, or ReptiChips. Share below! Once you have chosen your preferred box and substrate, you are ready to make a dig box that your bearded dragon will surely enjoy. A female beardie is preparing to lay the eggs if she is digging in the dirt. Pet stores arent helping the cause, either! Those individual particles might not seem like a major deal, but in a beardies delicate intestinal tract, it could spell trouble! Bearded dragons need a dig box to satisfy their natural instinct to dig. Step 2. How to Create a Bearded Dragon Dig Box Sure, this could be beneficial if you need help raising humidity levels in the enclosure. And thats just the beginning! Sand substrates can also irritate other parts of the body. This will help encourage the dragon to lay as well as lighten some of the work load as it can be a very tiring process for them. This is mainly for her comfort, as youll be removing the eggs immediately anyway to either put in an incubator or dispose of if theyre infertile. This week, we're doing another requested video all about substrate options for arid reptiles, like bearded dragons and leopard geck. What more could you want? In a mutual sense, this can result in trust and comfort, which is frequently accompanied by pleasure and joy. 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