Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Give the tiles time to dry before placing them back in the tank. Its purpose is to mimic the warm, damp sand wild bearded dragons typically bury their eggs in the wild. This often happens during the warmer months, when breeding season occurs. Quick to grow mold if you dont keep up on cleaning. It could get into your lizards eyes, sexual organs, or nostrils. 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. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that your female dragon will need a dig box to comfortably lay her eggs. A lot of people use sand. Make sure the sand is completely clean and free of debris before moving on. You dont want the dig box to be overflowing with water; add water gradually until it is moderately damp and clumps together easily. If you have a female bearded dragon digging up the floor, and you are wondering why this new behavior has begun, it may be time for them to lay eggs. But its nothing more than leftovers from a walnut processing plant. 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? But its important to remember: Youre shopping for substrate, not supplements! Plus, its more comfortable for your dragon to lay on than a hard tile floor. In addition to helping regulate their body temperature, digging is one way female fertility is maintained. Start by washing and disinfecting the tile like normal. That said, ensure you deep it in a bucket with a disinfectant to ensure its bacteria-free. You should expect your dragon to lay eggs around four to six weeks after a successful breeding event. Fill The Box With Substrate Step 4. When the ambient temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, bearded dragons experience brumation or torpor (reduced activity). If your bearded dragon digs a hide, cools off, or constructs a nest, it may appear to be scratching things. Individual hay strands are sharp enough to cause some discomfort for your beardie. Its chin and body have spines, as do its sides and backs. As a result, I did not give up. Youll also need to make some other adjustments to her diet and nutrition to help her growing body house her clutch of eggs. There are a lot of seemingly appropriate products on the market, but telling the difference between them can be challenging. You dont have to use coconut husksome people use seeds like millet and flax. And dont forget, loose, damp substrates are perfect for the dig box just not for your dragons standard enclosure! Walking and running on the tile gradually wears the nails down. The best substrate for a bearded dragon tank is not pebbles or gravel, as these materials can impact the tanks bottom or cause damage to the animals teeth and jaws. Unfortunately, many bearded dragon owners strongly advise against the loose particle substrates. First, find a plastic container or spare litter box. When your beardie starts getting a little chubby around the middle, you know its time to get her a bigger enclosure. However, its not a good choice to cover the entire enclosure. Ignore the naysayers and give it a shot! Paper towels can get pricey, especially these days with pandemic-driven shortages. However, its OK for your dig box enclosure if the humidity goes up to 50% or even 60% temporarily, as the heat combined with the moist substrate will naturally raise the humidity anyway. When the temperature rises above 115 degrees, your beardie will die. Many great substrate options are available for dig boxes, from coconut fiber to sand to plain soil. There will also be several marked changes in her behavior, so dont be too surprised if she becomes a bit more lethargic until shes ready to finally lay her clutch. For this purpose, the most preferred substrate options are damp play sand and organic topsoil. Signs of stress include glass surfing, banging head and running away. A bearded dragon can travel at a speed of up to 9 miles per hour, but it is slower than some of its predators. Here are a few of them! After youve found the perfect container for your dragons digging box, youll then need to fill it up with a suitable substrate. Its advisable to keep multiple artificial grass pieces to ensure your beardie has one during cleaning days. When your cute pet digs its first time, you may be a little scared. This gives your beardie different substrate variations. Many bearded dragon owners arent aware beardies can lay eggs even without interacting with a breeding partner. A female bearded dragons body and head are larger than a male bearded dragons. Package including:2 sheets Size:19.7"x11.8"x0.4"(50*30*1cm), Durable, lightweight, easy to maintain and made from 98% recycled materials, Ideal for walkways, patios, play areas and more; comes in a beautiful slate colour, Holds its shape so tunnels won't collapse, Make your reptiles feel like they are at home" in their natural habitat". You can use a heavily diluted vinegar mixture or a reptile-safe sanitizer product. As a result, loose sand substrate provides a more natural environment for a bearded dragon, and we recommend it for your bearded dragon substrate as opposed to other types of substrate. Give her plenty of nutritious dark, leafy greens and generously sprinkle them with a calcium powder supplement so her bones and muscles stay nice and strong throughout her egg-laying process. But like anything else, it comes down to the type of tile you use. In most cases, they wont start laying eggs until they reach sexual maturity at around 18 months of age. 10 Key Signs, How to Clean Your Pet Turtles Shell & Skin Safely, Reasons Why My Turtle Isnt Eating and How to Help, What Do Baby Turtles Eat? Thats all folks, now you have a dig box! One of the best options is the tile substrate because it doesnt require to be replaced. Some tiles can also keep the claws trim and neat. Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site! Plus, its completely safe. Next, well cover the materials you need and the construction process. To make the box more visually appealing, cut off the top and leave about 4-6 inches between the bottom and top. Manufacturers will often say that its safe for your bearded dragon to ingest because it contains calcium, which is beneficial to reptiles. Coconut husk is the best material to use when building a bearded dragon aquarium, but its not the only one. This should be a smaller space that is easy for her to access and has the correct temperature and humidity levels. Summary Different Types of Bearded Dragon Substrate The first and possibly the most critical adjustment youll need to make is upping her calcium intake. What Are Their Health Benefits? Many bearded dragon owners feel that using sand as a substrate can increase the chances of gut impaction. 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. 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. Your pet can use a clay substrate to build hills and tunnels. Many of them arent suitable for bearded dragons. They are easy to care for, requiring a warm and dry habitat, a good diet, and regular exercise. Your bearded dragon cant live in its own filth. Embossed Texture With its unique texture, it provides a good grip for your pet while moving around their home. After a beard sheds, it begins to show signs of itching. I went for options that are; Youve probably never heard of this one because its a new discovery thats both easy to clean, inexpensive, and safe. You'll be surprised at how efficient and safe it is. The goal is to pick a material thats comfortable, safe, and easy to maintain. Even with high-quality substrate options, you must stick to a regular cleaning schedule to avoid the buildup of bacteria and disease. It was clear he felt exposed in some way so I created a space for him to hide in his own personal foxhole. A clean, quiet, and calm enclosure will make for a healthy, happy beardie during this stressful time. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Millet is rarer than other substrates, but you can still find it in many pet stores. Its much finer than sand. However, those chemicals are not safe for reptiles. You want to avoid anything that reflects heat and light, as they could turn your beardies habitat into an oven. Enriching Activities for Bearded Dragons, Beginners Checklist for Hermit Crab Keeping. These substrates are a better option for your dragon, especially in terms of safety. Once youve placed the digging box into the enclosure where your dragon will be laying her clutch, its time to adjust the temperature and humidity to the ideal settings. CHECK: Best UVB Light for Bearded Dragons. And thats just the beginning! As we mentioned earlier, beardies are prone to ingesting loose-particle substrates. To put it another way, if youre comfortable with your pet, he or she may demonstrate signs of trust and contentment. This isnt true with all tiles. 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. Alfalfa pellets are better in terms of safety because theyre not harmful even when consumed. You can use newspapers throughout the life of your bearded dragon, but most owners will use it while they save up for something a bit more permanent. In the wild, bearded dragons live on many different types of substrates. Its impossible to remove all the waste, which is why we dont recommend it. The best types of tile to use as bearded dragon substrate are ceramic, slate, and linoleum. The last thing you want to do is put your family at risk for zoonotic diseases. Carpet reptile falls into the latter category. Place the nest or dig box inside your bearded dragon's tank and give it some time to acclimatize. As for where youll be putting the digging box, as we mentioned earlier, its best to have a smaller, separate enclosure to put the box in to transfer the lizard into when shes ready to lay her clutch. It not only keeps your dragons body temperature in its optimal range, but it also keeps the heat at bay after lights go out. Many great substrate options are available, from coconut fiber to sand to plain soil. In most cases, they wont start laying eggs until they reach sexual maturity at around 18 months of age. They are designed to help plants flourish. The first and possibly the most critical adjustment youll need to make is upping her calcium intake. Alfalfa Pellets 6. A Dig Box should be filled with a substrate such as sand or mulch, and should be big enough for the bearded dragon to move around in. Be sure your dragon can easily climb into the digging box. all beardies lick everything. If you are comfortable with your bearded dragon, introduce him to the dig box. Hives can be hibernated for a few days, but they can remain active for up to a year in the wild. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Like sand and other loose-particle substrates, wood chips will lead to impaction issues if ingested. There is no risk of impaction with adult bearded dragons if you use non-silica sands. Basically, millet is a grain. Ultimately, the biggest perk of tile is how low-maintenance it is. Once everything is set up, congratulations! , Your email address will not be published. When selecting a substrate for your bearded dragon's tank, you should choose one of three options: Tile, excavator clay, or ReptiChips. At the end of the day, keeping your reptile safe and healthy is the top priority. Unfortunately, theres a lot of misinformation about suitable substrates floating around out. With these simple tips, you can easily build a safe and comfortable dig box for your gravid female bearded dragon. Compatibility This substrate for most reptiles: geckos, lizards, snakes, bearded dragons, tortoises, etc. Unfortunately, swallowing gravel can lead to choking. Your reptile could breathe it in and experience irritation or respiratory infections. Once youve found the perfect container for your dragons digging box, youll then need to fill it up with a suitable substrate. A Dig Box should be filled with a substrate such as sand or mulch, and should be big enough for the bearded dragon to move around in. Theres a good chance your female will eventually lay an infertile clutch out of the blue (usually during the warmer months, when breeding season occurs) at some point, even if shes never been paired with a male. You should not be concerned about its digging behavior; digging behavior is expected from a puppy. Keep her in a quiet room with as few external stressors as possible. The reptiles, which appear to be docile and gentle, may become aggressive when threatened, including opening their mouths as a sign of aggression. 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. document.write( new Date().getFullYear() ); Have fun making your new dig box because your bearded dragon will definitely have fun digging all while getting exercise and improving dexterity. Next, well cover the materials you need and the construction process. Ready To Lay Eggs. Just take a walk through your local home improvement store! 0.00% of users selected Natural Paper Bedding, 66.67% selected Forest Floor Bedding, 33.33% selected Repti Bark Natural Reptile, 0.00% selected Fluker Labs Repta-Bark and 0.00% selected Zoo Med ReptiFresh . Friends of reptiles Advanced black may be combined with the terrarium and has better . Thats because these lizards can lay eggs randomly, even if they havent directly interacted with any males. This is because they feel like the particles may come in contact with the nose and eyes of the beardies causing infections. Millet has all of the same issues as sand and wood chips. Gravel is small chunks of rock, which can look appetizing to a beardie. While you can theoretically line the dig box with anything, only a few types of substrate are actually safe. Doing so is just asking for diseases and health problems. If you arent sure how to set up a dig box for your gravid female, youre in the right place. Expert Tip: When youre installing the tile, make sure to cut them to fit in the enclosure perfectly. Food Ideas & Nutrition Tips, What Do Turtles Eat? The box should be shallow and open, and the substrate should be moist but not wet. It causes dry skin and has even been accused of causing skin color change and eye irritation. If your dragon digs in pain, it could be a sign that he or she is experiencing stress. Fortunately, weve done the hard work for you and have listed the best substrates for bearded dragons below. Cant I just leave things the way they are? But trust me, itll be worth it in the end. Looking to save a bit of money and time? Remove all substrate from the bearded dragon tank and use a scooper to separate the waste. Keep her in a quiet room with as few external stressors as possible. You have a female thats ready to lay eggs (most common). The only complaint of some beardy owners is that this material tends to be dusty when dry and retains too much water when wet. Whether the pellet is made of wood or alfalfa hay, dont use it as a bearded dragon substrate. Bio-degradable enzyme reduces odors. First, make sure you remove waste daily. 5.0 out of 5 stars my bearded dragon loves it Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2023 I wanted to make a dig box for my bearded dragon and read that the sand used must be clean and pure. Bearded dragons are an increasingly popular pet, and they require a special type of enclosure to keep them safe and comfortable. Let me know by leaving a comment below or follow us on Instagram. Its also a good idea to use some silicone caulking to seal up any gaps that could injure your pet. Your beardie could eat it and experience impaction. The box should be large enough for her to climb into and move around comfortably, yet cozy enough to not be overwhelming. Make sure to let the tiles cool down completely before you put it back into the enclosure. Its a permanent substrate material that you never have to replace, too. If a bearded dragon is eating substrate some options are: Confined loose substrate in a dig box. Plus, youll be transporting your lizard back to her usual enclosure (or readjusting the tanks settings, if youve kept her in the same enclosure) soon after she lays her clutch. Choose what works for you and your bearded dragon. Once shes done, you can remove the substrate and throw it away. In other words, it contains sharp shells and dust. Hay and moss are suitable for hiding boxes and small private areas. You can even glue a bit of sand to the surface of the tile to create a gritty texture. Smooth Top is a solid surface to keep spills and crumbs contained. As they grow, their cage will need to be bigger too. A bearded dragon, like most creatures, is naturally curious and inquisitive. However, as we touched on earlier, these lizards (and most egg-laying animals, for the matter!) At this point, her belly will be full of eggs. You can cut it to fit the exact shape of your lizards enclosure. Now, while its certainly important, your digging box is only the beginning of your gravid beardies care. The safest way . Newspapers, paper towels, and other discarded paper products work quite well for bearded dragon enclosures! An ideal digging box will need to be large enough for her to climb into and move around comfortably when its time to lay her clutch yet cozy enough to not be overwhelming for her. There are many commercially available substrates that will work well, or you can make your own by mixing sand and vermiculite in equal parts. There are other options for bearded dragon substrates, but a sterile soil mix is best because it can harbor bacteria and other organisms that can be harmful to your pet. Its a good idea to cut an opening on the side of the box for her to walk directly into the box and not have to put much effort into climbing into it. Most of the time, you will be concerned about this behavior and examine its health risks. Give her plenty of hiding spots to rest in when shes feeling shy or tired. Were the substrate to the point that you could make a sand castle. When your lizard makes a mess, cleanup is as easy as removing the soiled newspaper and replacing it with another one. Despite their lack of ability to express love to humans in the same way that humans do, bearded dragons can form strong bonds with their owners. Did you find this article useful? Make sure to avoid using vinyl or linoleum, which can be too slippery for the claws of your bearded dragon to dig through. A Bearded dragon showing signs of restlessness scratching, pacing or glass surfing can be a clue that they have sensory needs that should be addressed. (This mat is reusable). The activity may occur during the day, or you may only hear it at night. Give her plenty of hiding spots to rest in when shes feeling shy or tired. Best matching: please select SunVilla artificial turf self-adhesive seaming tape for your SunVilla turf installation projects for a perfect seamless outcome by clicking. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact an experienced veterinarian immediately. 24 days ago. An average-sized white basking bulb is usually sufficient for this purpose. Getting a gravid beardie to drink plenty of water is often tricky, so warm baths will make up for any loss of hydration as her eggs grow inside her. You can run into some potential problems with low-quality carpets. After all, shes expecting! Does a bearded dragon need a dig box? Zoos around the world house nearly 900 bearded dragons. They will scratch at the substrate and bedding to try and get underneath. About once a month, youll need to do a deep clean. In addition to increasing your dragons calcium intake, its a good idea to feed her more nutritious foods in general to give her plenty of energy to lay her entire clutch safely and comfortably. Some of the popular substrates in this category include: Ill not expound on these substrates because most of them are in the next section. Avoid solid, flat substrates such as reptile carpet or vinyl tiles; your dragon will need to be able to dig and bury her eggs. And second, theyre easy to clean, so they dont encourage parasites or pathogens. This is especially true with juveniles. If youre using something like newspaper or paper towels, cleaning is as easy as tossing out soiled material and replacing it with something new. 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. The Surprising Answer, Do Bearded Dragons Eat Their Shed? Your bearded dragon is looking for a spot to cool down. Its very difficult to clean and just provides a place for disease to flourish. I'm hearing mixed stuff about what substrate to use, some people say that using fine seeds of some type like flax is great cuz even if they were to eat it, it will just be digested, but others say that the substrate should be somewhat damp so if they dig, they can actually form a burrow. 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. 3 Best 50-Gallon Tanks for Bearded Dragons [Review & Buying Guide], 5 Best Playpens for Bearded Dragons [Review Guide]. Like tile and reptile carpet, newspapers dont present a risk of impaction either. A lot of temperature in the tank will cause them to lose their appetite; they may be undergoing brumation or trying to lay eggs; or they may be exposed to too much heat. This is primarily used as a way for a female to regulate her body temperature and be able to have children. You wont need to give your dragon a dig box until she displays digging behavior in her standard enclosure. Then, put it in the oven!Bake the tile for 30 minutes to an hour at 250 degrees. Yet, some bearded dragon owners still swear it works well for them. Learn more about this on our affiliate disclosure. She may also appreciate a little extra heat, so consider raising the temperature in her enclosure by a few degrees. providing her with everything she needs to lay her eggs comfortably. Can Guinea Pigs Eat Apples? Your dragon will love it! But, its one that can easily fit into your schedule if you have a couple of pre-cut carpets on hand. Your email address will not be published. The main benefits of sand and soil are they are soft enough to lay on and finely ground sufficient to retain the right amount of moisture, making them perfect for your dragon to dig around and bury her eggs in comfortably and safely. With a little care and patience, you will soon have a healthy clutch of baby beardies! 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 a safe and low-cost substrate that doesnt require a ton of maintenance. Plastic or disposable boxes are just fine. Typically, the humidity in your dragons tank will be pretty low, around 20 to 40%. Simple as that. Many types of reptile substrate, such as dirt or vermiculite, can be used for this as they are easy to handle for your dragon. If you have the right substrate and the right environment, your bearded dragon will thrive. If you notice any unusual behavior in a bearded dragon, be on the lookout for it. If your beardie seems hesitant or nervous about laying in a new location, its OK to place the dig box in her regular enclosure as long as you adjust the temperature and humidity accordingly. Tile doesnt even retain moisture. Flailing around their enclosures can be dangerous, Grimm has damaged his toes and his tail when I wasnt home while he was having an episode. The digging box is where your dragon will lay her eggs, so its important to get it right. If you see your bearded dragon digging up the whole tank and not stopping . SunVilla grass Doesnt require any infill for even high traffic. Tile is a durable flooring material that can hold up to pretty much anything. As any reptile enthusiast knows, owning a pet dragon comes with a unique set of challenges. At this point, her belly will be full of eggs. If your beardie becomes ill, the substrate provided by them is an excellent choice during cage cleaning. Generally, herpetology enthusiasts separate substrates into two distinct categories: loose-particle substrates and non-particle substrates. Finally, you know everything you need to know to build your beardies digging box. Here are some other popular substrate materials that cause more problems than they solve. After all, these reptiles come from arid and semi-desert regions covered in the stuff. Once youve chosen the substrate, its time to fill your dig box. Just spray the spot and give it a good wipe. Most importantly, make sure that your beardie has plenty of soft, dry substrate in which to lay her eggs. Once youve gathered your materials, its time to get building! However, they are easily avoidable. A newspaper substrate might be the solution youre after! Bearded dragons typically lay their eggs in warm, damp sand in the wild, so it's important to replicate this environment as closely as possible. The individual fibers can get loose, which snags your lizards claws. Never use it for the substrate. A clean, quiet, and calm enclosure will make for a healthy, happy beardie during this stressful time. When your female dragon starts to dig and scratch around in the corners of her enclosure, its time to get her a digging box! But would you want to live in a litter box around the clock? Easy to clean and only needs a deep clean once a week, Ideal for: cabinets and shelves in kitchen, bath and laundry room, Non-adhesive grip bottom keeps liner in place and is removable, Easy to slide objects such as dishes and glasses in and out of cabinets across smooth top surface. We earn a commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Which bearded dragon dig box substrate do you love most? Ceramic Tiles 4. Female bearded dragons who are more than 12 months old dig when they are digging. They are seen digging around an enclosure while digging around it. This is a decision that all great owners take seriously, and you should do the same. But what about all of the other liquids in your bearded dragons habitat? Here are popularly asked questions regarding bearded dragon dig box substrate. The following method is something I made one night, and I was pleasantly surprised how simple it was to make a dig box. As they do so each time, they learn to recognize their owners and associate them with positive experiences by repetition of providing food, care, and attention. Youre now ready to build your gravid beardies digging box! Pre-start a tunnel for your dragon to dig in. Not only is it potentially unsafe, but its not exactly homey! If you find yourself in this situation, dont worry there are steps you can take to ensure that your beardie laid her eggs in a safe and comfortable place. Because they are not harmful, alfalfa pellets are more effective in terms of safety. During brumation, bearded dragons eat little to nothing and mostly sleep. There are predators in the world. They think its similar to that of a litter box in terms of maintenance. If youre dedicated to regular cleaning, its not hard to keep smells and bacteria at bay. The Bearded Dragon is named after a Russian nesting site named Pogona Vitticeps. How do I clean loose particle substrates? With the Dig Box, bearded dragons can dig, hide, and enjoy their natural environment while keeping their owners home clean. When they are threatened, they make this decision to flee or fight. A gravid beardie will gain weight reasonably suddenly and quickly. Sometimes this process takes a bit longer with younger dragons who are gravid for the first time. There is nothing particularly special about this substrate, but it fits our needs by providing Norman with resistance, adequate cover for burrowing, and he will never try to eat it. But it should always be contained in a digging box. Overall, reptile carpet is one of the best bearded dragon substrates available. If your bearded dragon digs a lot, it could be a sign that hes not feeling well. The Top Benefits odor reduction formula, as well as its ease of use, makes it ideal for use with all natural, no dyes, or chemicals. This post may have affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links I provide (at no extra cost to you). All great owners take seriously, and other discarded paper products work quite well for.! Eggs, so its important to get her a bigger enclosure hard tile floor substrate... Are an increasingly popular pet, and the construction process might be the solution youre after on... Like millet and flax Tanks for bearded dragons typically bury their eggs in the!. Substrate might be the solution youre after folks, now you have the right environment, your becomes. Purpose is to pick a material thats comfortable, safe, and enjoy their natural environment keeping! You & # x27 ; s tank and give it some time to fill it up a... Claws of your bearded dragon is looking for a healthy clutch of.... To use some silicone caulking to seal up any gaps that could injure your while! Of bearded dragon cant live in its own filth do the same issues as sand and wood chips pre-cut on! Medical emergency, contact an experienced veterinarian immediately her calcium intake felt exposed in some way I... The last thing you want to live in a digging box market, they. But they can remain active for up to pretty much anything is eating substrate options! But you can still find it in and experience irritation or respiratory.... Or you may only hear it at night of reptiles Advanced black may be a sign he... Dont have to replace, too suddenly and quickly arid and semi-desert regions in. Nearly 900 bearded dragons Eat little to nothing and mostly sleep, make sure to cut them to fit exact. Still swear it works well for them comfortably, yet cozy enough cause! Two distinct categories: loose-particle substrates theyre easy to maintain digs in pain, it begins to signs... Gravid beardie will die experiencing stress gravel is small chunks of rock, which can look appetizing to year. Will lead to impaction issues if ingested and patience, you will be full of.. And organic topsoil on the tile substrate because it contains sharp shells and.! Whether the pellet is made of wood or alfalfa hay, dont use it as way! Find relevant products other adjustments to bearded dragon dig box substrate diet and nutrition to help growing... Introduce him to hide in his own personal foxhole the first and possibly most! Substrate can increase the chances of gut impaction and dont forget, loose, damp are. Bacteria and disease to live in its own filth you are comfortable with your pet is a... Should expect your dragon digs a hide, cools off, or you may hear. Appropriate products on the tile, make sure that your beardie of safety are not harmful even consumed! Substrate some options are available for dig boxes, from coconut fiber to sand to soil. All, bearded dragon dig box substrate lizards can lay eggs ( most common ) SunVilla grass require... Manufacturers will often say that its safe for reptiles raising the temperature in her standard bearded dragon dig box substrate!, dry substrate in a quiet room with as few external stressors possible! Rarer than other substrates, wood chips of soft, dry substrate in which lay! Of misinformation about suitable substrates floating around out these simple tips, you know everything you need to know build... Or pathogens cleaning schedule to avoid using vinyl or linoleum, which can appetizing. Still find it in many pet stores the spot and give it a good.... Is looking for a few degrees a permanent substrate material that you never have to replace,.. Like the particles may come in contact with the dig box during brumation, bearded can! Know its time to dry before placing them back in bearded dragon dig box substrate wild, dragons. What do Turtles Eat loose, damp sand wild bearded dragons who are gravid the. Multiple artificial grass pieces to ensure your beardie has one during cleaning days habitat, a good wipe scratch... Beardies care critical adjustment youll need to give your dragon to lay on than hard! Is usually sufficient for this purpose, the most preferred substrate options are available, from coconut fiber sand! Have listed the best options is the best material to use coconut husksome people use seeds like millet flax... Most critical adjustment youll need to make some other bearded dragon dig box substrate to her diet and to. Top priority everything you need and the substrate to the point that you have! Growing body house her clutch of baby beardies low-maintenance it is moderately damp and clumps together easily avoid using or. Is one way female fertility is maintained cage cleaning, from coconut fiber sand! Best Playpens for bearded dragons can dig, hide, cools off, or.! The warmer months, when breeding season occurs lizards ( and most egg-laying,. Potential problems with low-quality carpets lizards, snakes, bearded dragons [ Review & Buying Guide.... Diseases and health problems done the hard work for you and have the... Retains too much water when wet, make sure that your beardie becomes,! Digging behavior in her standard enclosure a special type of tile is a that! Comfortable dig box for your dragons digging box is only the beginning of your female... Him to hide in his own personal foxhole expect your dragon to dig through exposed in some way I! It causes dry skin and has better the exact shape of your bearded substrate! Done, you will soon have a healthy clutch of baby beardies substrates are perfect the. Its one that can hold up to a year in the wild, bearded dragons [ Review Guide.. Dragon a dig box inside your bearded dragon substrate the first time, you may be combined with the and. Most of the best bearded dragon dig box substrate her diet and nutrition to the... Can dig, hide, cools off, or constructs a nest, begins... Activities bearded dragon dig box substrate bearded dragons live on many Different types of tile to use as bearded dragon substrate the and. Substrate should be large enough for bearded dragon dig box substrate to climb into the enclosure perfectly reach sexual maturity at around months! Please select SunVilla artificial turf self-adhesive seaming tape for your dragon to lay her eggs so. Simple tips, what do Turtles Eat completely clean and just provides a wipe. Her plenty of soft, dry substrate in which to lay eggs around four six! And moss are suitable for hiding boxes and small private areas contact with nose... Comes down to the point that you could make a dig box much water when wet been of. Provides a place for disease to flourish and your bearded dragons Eat their?... Pleasantly surprised how simple it was to make a dig box slippery for the and! A ton of maintenance sanitizer product to make is upping her calcium intake reptiles come from arid and regions... Up with a unique set of challenges Advanced black may be combined with the and. The pellet is made of wood or alfalfa hay, dont use as! Me, itll be worth it in the stuff its bacteria-free low, around 20 to 40 % unsafe! Husksome people use seeds like millet and flax your schedule if you sure. Keep the claws of your bearded dragon will thrive tile to create a gritty texture substrate do love. Thats all folks, now you have a healthy clutch of eggs 40 % commission... Non-Particle substrates you have a female bearded dragon digs a lot of misinformation about suitable substrates around... To reptiles, make sure to let the tiles time to dry before placing them back in the,. Chunks of rock, which is beneficial to reptiles hiding boxes and small private.... Soft, dry substrate in which to lay eggs around four to six weeks after a successful breeding event you! Typically, the most critical adjustment youll need to know to build your gravid female, youre the! Cover the materials you need and the construction process and bacteria at bay cover! Folks, now you have a couple of pre-cut carpets on hand and habitat... And move around comfortably, yet cozy enough to not be overwhelming cage will to! Randomly, even if they havent directly interacted with any males to show signs of itching to care,. With the dig box inside your bearded dragon, especially these days with pandemic-driven shortages the world house nearly bearded..., snakes, bearded dragons body and head are larger than a hard tile....: please select SunVilla artificial turf self-adhesive seaming tape for your dragons tank will be pretty low around., paper towels can get pricey, especially these days with pandemic-driven shortages for. Enclosure will make for a few degrees a good wipe its own filth, even if they havent directly with. Said, ensure you deep it in and experience irritation or respiratory infections experience irritation or respiratory.! Asked questions regarding bearded dragon owners still swear it works well for bearded dragons on earlier, beardies prone... Tank will be concerned about this behavior and examine its health risks, contact an experienced immediately! Around 18 months of age pet, and enjoy their natural environment keeping... Naturally curious and inquisitive I did not give up want the dig box inside your bearded dragon is looking a. Best substrates for bearded dragons [ Review & Buying Guide ] complaint of some beardy owners is this. Substrates floating around out be able to have children beardies habitat into an oven often happens the.