It’s quite normal that your bearded dragon might be digging. But in a few cases, the same behavior can be a symptom of health issues, more specifically stress. You need to provide your bearded dragon with the right substrate.

Whenever the bearded dragon digs on the wrong surface, it can cause harm. The use of a healthy and good-quality substrate can make your pet away from any risk. This article will let you know about the reasons why the bearded dragon digs. Following are the reasons for digging:

·  If your bearded dragon is a female and she starts to dig then it means she has to lay the eggs. This digging behavior usually happens when they reach the eight-month mark to 1 year old. This season of laying eggs (breeding season) starts at the end of the winter season. The bearded dragons become more active after the process of brumation. Another important fact is that they can lay their eggs without mating. But such eggs are infertile.

Thus you have to correctly determine the gender of your bearded dragon so that you can provide them the appropriate environment according to their needs. In case you wrongly identify your bearded dragons’ gender then you can put their health at risk by giving them the wrong environment. For female bearded dragons, they must be kept in a lay box so that they can lay eggs comfortably.

In case the female bearded dragon does not get that lay box, she is more likely to stop laying eggs. This reaction is called egg bound. It may lead to the need for surgery to remove the eggs that are stuck inside. Moreover, such surgeries put your bearded dragon at risk of death.

· Another reason for their digging might be that the temperature in the tank is too high for them to manage. These high temperatures in the tank make them start the digging behavior. They dig because they need to find a cold spot to stay. It’s more likely you will notice that your bearded dragon will hide under or behind a rock or substrate.

· Moreover, if you find them panting it is also a most common sign that they are feeling high temperatures. But panting is also normal behavior. You just have to analyze that when they are normally panting and when it is because of high temperatures.

In case you possess a big-sized tank then the best solution is to maintain a temperature gradient. It will allow your bearded dragon to move in hot and cold spots according to its needs. 23-29 degree Celsius spots will be helpful for your bearded dragon to hide from high temperatures. Thus, select a big tank to ensure your bearded dragon’s needs are met.

·  The bearded dragons start to dig when they are stressed. The reason is to indicate to their owners that they are trying to hide or escape. The reasons or contributors to their stress are noises, light sensitivity and temperature high, etc. You have to make sure to avoid all these triggers to keep your bearded dragon away from stress.

Moreover, the most essential thing to remember is that do not keep all your bearded dragons in one place this could also stress them out and can lead to fighting and injuries to them.

·  Another reason for digging behavior is they need to find food. This could happen usually whenever your breaded dragon is hungry or underfed. They start digging just to let you know that they need more food. You can provide them with bugs that are alive and fatty worms. Breaded dragons love them. Moreover, breaded dragons can get addicted to fatty worms. Hence make sure that you do not over-provide them as it can impact their health and diet.

If in case their diet is affected. You can control it by waiting. The diet of bearded dragons that are mature can be taken care of by controlling their food intake. They can go on without eating for two months and not losing their weight. But this trick cannot be implemented on baby dragons. They cannot tolerate hunger and food deprivation and hence can be at risk of death.

·  When the tank or its space is small then the breaded dragon starts digging as they are unable to move and roam around. It is essential to acknowledge the fact that bearded dragons also love to walk like other pets. Moreover, by digging behavior, they make space to roam around.

The perfect tank size for a mature or adult bearded dragon is 40 gallons. Moreover, if you can get a bigger size than this then it is better. A 60-gallon tank allows the bearded dragons to walk around the tank space and allows you to keep more accessories for your dragon.

· The bearded dragons also start digging when they are in process of brumation or semi-hibernation. This process happens in winter by dragons of 12-18 months old bearded dragons. They remain in brumation within 3-4 months.

During the brumation time, the bearded dragon does not eat at all they are only found sleeping in their spot. So if you catch your bearded dragon digging in the winter season then it's likely that they are preparing their position or spot for brumation or semi-hibernation.

·  Moreover, bearded dragon digs to make a hiding spot. To save themselves from certain issues. You can use branches or accessories to help your bearded dragon to hide comfortably.

Hence, these were some prominent reasons your bearded dragon is showcasing the digging behavior. I hope this article made you well aware of your pet more. Now you can take precautionary measures to avoid any of the above issues or triggers that can stress your bearded dragon. Keep yourself well informed about the behavior of your pet. So that you can take care of your pet in every aspect to avoid any risk to their health of life.