There is no risk of impaction with adult bearded dragons if you use non-silica sands. Millet has all of the same issues as sand and wood chips. Coconut husk chips or sphagnum moss are both good options. (This mat is reusable). I recommend buying two reptile carpets so that your beardie can still enjoy the comfort of their tank when youre cleaning. Well, your beardeds substrate to be something that allows them to feel at home and is safe too. All tiles, including the slate tiles pictured here, work very well as a bearded substrate. If youre thinking about getting a dragon, there are a few things you should know first. You can add some water directly to the substrate or mist it lightly with a spray bottle before adding your dragon. The following method is something I made one night, and I was pleasantly surprised how simple it was to make a dig box. The digging habits of a bearded dragon are nothing new. First, find a plastic container or spare litter box. All it takes is a quick run across the enclosure to kick up sand. Similarly, burrowing can be observed during the night while sleeping. Sand is considered a bad substrate for bearded dragons due to its numerous health risks. The box should be shallow and open, and the substrate should be moist but not wet. Bearded dragons typically lay their eggs in warm, damp sand in the wild, so its important to replicate this environment as closely as possible. Warning! , Your email address will not be published. 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. To be clear, a substrate is a material that's put on the floor of your bearded dragon's dig box and can be referred to as beddings too. Otherwise, you might end up with one very cranky dragon on your hands! It was a fun read as well I learned a little. Cleaning a reptile carpet is a more involved process. Bearded dragons need a dig box to satisfy their natural instinct to dig. A bearded dragon can brumate for up to 3-4 months from November to end February in Northern Hemisphere (USA, Canada, most of Europe). 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. Its purpose is to mimic the warm, damp sand wild bearded dragons typically bury their eggs in the wild. Its best to avoid walnut substrates. While you can theoretically line the dig box with anything, only a few types of substrate are actually safe. The best soil to use in a dig box is a substrate specifically designed for reptiles. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact an experienced veterinarian immediately. You might even see some products touting additional ingredients like strontium, potassium, or magnesium. Bearded dragons are notoriously shy creatures, so its important to provide them with plenty of hiding spots. Another way to make your gravid beardie more comfortable is to give her warm baths daily, if possible, as her eggs develop. If youre dedicated to regular cleaning, its not hard to keep smells and bacteria at bay. Its a comfortable substrate that feels good underfoot for your beardie. If youre thinking about getting a dragon, there are a few things you should know first. Here are a few of them! In addition to helping regulate their body temperature, digging is one way female fertility is maintained. Its true! Bearded Dragon Discussions. Even if your lizard manages to swallow it, the piece of gravel will almost always cause gut impaction. On paper, sand makes sense. 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. Its also advisable to bake the tiles for 30-60 minutes at 250 degrees to kill any germs at least twice a month. If your bearded dragon digs a lot, it could be a sign that hes not feeling well. Youll also need to make some other adjustments to her diet and nutrition to help her growing body house her clutch of eggs. And second, theyre easy to clean, so they dont encourage parasites or pathogens. Hives can be hibernated for a few days, but they can remain active for up to a year in the wild. I use the Exo Terra Coco Husk Terrarium Substrate in my dig boxes. But its nothing more than leftovers from a walnut processing plant. Use a large tub and some fragrance-free soap. If your bearded dragon scratches a lot, it could be due to a problem with the tank setup. How Long Do Pet and Wild Chinchillas Live? But would you want to live in a litter box around the clock? 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 a potentially life-threatening problem that you must avoid at all costs. 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? Calcium sand is advertised as a healthier alternative to traditional play sand or desert sand. CLICK TO ORDER: GUIDE TO GIVING YOUR BEARDED DRAGON THE BEST LIFE EVER! 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. It can cause an impaction all the same. Newspapers arent as secure as some other substrate materials. Yet, some bearded dragon owners still swear it works well for them. Generally, herpetology enthusiasts separate substrates into two distinct categories: loose-particle substrates and non-particle substrates. If you provide these necessities to your bearded dragon, he will be well cared for and will be more content. Dragons like to lay their eggs in soft, sandy soil, so its important to have a spot for her to do that. Not only is it potentially unsafe, but its not exactly homey! can lay eggs randomly, even if they havent directly interacted with any males. When your gravid female is preparing to lay her eggs, youll notice her start to dig and scratch around in the corners of her enclosure. Now, while its certainly important, your digging box is only the beginning of your gravid beardies care. A Bearded Dragons behaviors demonstrate its trust in its owner and its attachment to them. If you examine her belly closely, youll notice its enlarged and lumpy; these lumps are the outlines of eggs! Owners can ensure that their pets are comfortable and that any potential aggression is addressed and prevented by understanding both of these characteristics. Because they are cold-blooded, a bearded dragon must live in warm environments. Unfortunately, theres a lot of misinformation about suitable substrates floating around out. 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. However, its only recently becoming more widespread in the beardie community. As a result, I did not give up. This week, we're doing another requested video all about substrate options for arid reptiles, like bearded dragons and leopard geck. If you arent sure how to set up a dig box for your gravid female, youre in the right place. A dig box provides an activity that expels excess energy and prevents self-injurious behavior. This is especially with the baby bearded dragons who may ingest the particles because theyre not good hunters yet. Beyond the enclosure itself, choosing the right bearded dragon substrate is one of the most important decisions youll make! Youre one step closer to becoming a dragon parent. Your reptile could breathe it in and experience irritation or respiratory infections. Customer's Choice: the Best Rated Bedding Substrates for Bearded Dragons. The answer depends on the type of substrate you have chosen for your enclosure and your bearded dragons individual preferences. Make sure to let the tiles cool down completely before you put it back into the enclosure. You might see some bearded dragon owners commenting on the slippery nature of tiles. Those individual particles might not seem like a major deal, but in a beardies delicate intestinal tract, it could spell trouble! But most can hold onto residual heat from the basking light. Many soil mixes are pretreated with fertilizers and other chemicals. You can use a variety of materials to fill the dig box, such as sand, soil, potting soil, peat moss, and even reptile-safe wood shavings. Pair that with all of the other risks and its better to just avoid it. Check out the table for a quick overview of these substrates, then read on for more details! A small amount of safe fruits and insects are a nice treat for her, too, as long as the bulk of her diet is made up of dark greens. Give her plenty of hiding spots to rest in when shes feeling shy or tired. For starters, youll need to be prepared to make some dietary changes. 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. Chew-proof (or at least highly resistant). Make sure the sand is completely clean and free of debris before moving on. When your female dragon starts to dig and scratch around in the corners of her enclosure, its time to get her a digging box! When you look at the benefits tile has to offer, its not hard to see why. Unfortunately, many bearded dragon owners strongly advise against the loose particle substrates. You can use any box you like. Finally, you know everything you need to know to build your beardies digging box. For one or two adult Beardies, a 6-foot by 2-foot (1800 x 600) enclosure is the smallest recommended size. A bearded dragon can travel at a speed of up to 9 miles per hour, but it is slower than some of its predators. Fill The Box With Substrate Step 4. Keep her in a quiet room with as few external stressors as possible. Animals require an environment in which to thrive to survive. While bearded dragons bite, the injury is uncommon, and many owners never see it. The substrate for your bearded dragon is made from the ground and is placed in its dig box. You can be certain that your bearded dragon will be healthy and happy if he is properly cared for. If you use a substrate other than the one used in the dig box, your dragon may ingest it unintentionally. 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 rare, though, as most dragons adjust to the smaller enclosure just fine. In Southern Hemisphere, it can last through late spring-summer. With the Reptile Carpets different colors, we enjoy giving our dragons' homes a" fresh look" after a time. Thread starter applejacks155; Start date . Instead, stick to materials that absorb heat. Your pet can use a clay substrate to build hills and tunnels. Norman is the dig king in our pack, hes my cave-dwelling sulky teen. Sand isnt the only thing you should avoid when picking out a substrate for bearded dragons. Follow these simple instructions and youll have a 1515 inch box, perfect for an average sized female dragon. ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY: SunVilla artificial grass is non-toxic and lead free, making it an excellent surface for pets and kids to play on. When they are threatened, they make this decision to flee or fight. Bearded dragons come in a variety of colors and sizes, so there is sure to be one that will fit your home perfectly. There are bearded dragons throughout Australias Central and Southern regions. 6 users answered this survey. While its tempting, dont put the carpet into your washing machine. This isnt true with all tiles. With anything, only a few types of substrate are actually safe digging. Hibernated for a few things you should avoid when picking out a substrate specifically designed for reptiles a room... On the slippery nature of tiles substrate or mist it lightly with a spray bottle before your! 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