Found 1 egg in bearded dragons tank. She's gravid, Help!

[Sandy's World]

My beardie Sandy just turned 2 years old in January. Just tonight I found 1 infertile egg in her tank! We did not breed her, and this will be her first ever clutch of eggs. She has been glass surfing more than usual, is more hyper, and her tummy looks a little bit big. I'm afraid she'll die if we make one wrong step. Tomorrow we will get her a lay box using play sand and topsoil. Her diet will be switched to include a rich supply of calcium. Any suggestions? She is my first ever bearded dragon, so we will take all the help we can get. We are considering taking her to the vet if we have no luck after a while.

Edit: She laid an egg on her reptile carpet, so we are hoping she will not be picky with her digging substrate.

 

[KarrieRee]

My beardie Sandy just turned 2 years old in January. Just tonight I found 1 infertile egg in her tank! We did not breed her, and this will be her first ever clutch of eggs. She has been glass surfing more than usual, is more hyper, and her tummy looks a little bit big. I'm afraid she'll die if we make one wrong step. Tomorrow we will get her a lay box using play sand and topsoil. Her diet will be switched to include a rich supply of calcium. Any suggestions? She is my first ever bearded dragon, so we will take all the help we can get. We are considering taking her to the vet if we have no luck after a while.

Edit: She laid an egg on her reptile carpet, so we are hoping she will not be picky with her digging substrate.

@AHBD

 

[SPandS]

Youtube has lots of videos that will help get the laybox set up. Just make sure the substrate is moist enough to hold the shape but not too wet and they tend to like privacy by having something above their hole. Since she has already started laying I would definitely dig a hole for her so she can get right in there and do her thing.

 

[Sandy's World]

Okay, thank you! Should I place her basking light or UVB above her laybox? Can I just cover it with a towel or cardboard?

 

[SPandS]

I personally would at least put the basking bulb above it so she has some warmth and isn't too dark. I actually place my laybox in her enclosure but that isn't always feasible. The towel or cardboard could work, I've heard of people using a shoe box. Since I put mine in the enclosure I use the lid of the plastic tote I use for the laybox but leave an opening for her.

 

[Sandy's World]

Perfect-- I have her laybox in her tank so I'll move the basking bulb over there. Thanks a bunch! How long should she be in there?

 

[Sandy's World]

She's in there right now and immediately started digging! I covered it up, hopefully she will lay.

Edit: She just came out maybe 5 minutes later and didn't lay. Put her back in and the same thing again. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to make a little cave?

 

[AHBD]

Can you post a picture of the laybox showing the outside as well as the inside ?

 

[Sandy's World]

I will as soon as she comes out. She's been in there for at least 15 minutes, digging hard.

 

[AHBD]

That's good, she is accepting the box so far ! She may do a few test digs.

 

[Sandy's World]

That's good, she is accepting the box so far ! She may do a few test digs.

How long does it usually take for them to lay? Do they have to get used to it or do they lay immediately?

 

[AHBD]

They're all different but usually once they dig for a while they turn with their head facing out and take about an hour or so to lay them.

 

[Sandy's World]

Oh, alrighty. She digs a bunch then leaves. She did once stick her head out for a second, but went back in to dig more. Do they cover their eggs up or leave them there?

 

[AHBD]

Digging on + off is normal so just be patient. And no, they don't leave the eggs uncovered, if they do it's very rare. Their instinct is to hide their eggs and push all the sand/dirt back with their legs and sometimes even tamp it down with their chin/beard area.

 

[Sandy's World]

Alright. She's been in there for maybe 45 minutes now. I have a container inside covered with sand to make a cave. Crossing my fingers that when she comes out we'll see eggs buried! Thank your for you help.

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