Digging/sand box

[acwood04]

The larger of the two beardies I have, Crupi is digging in this sand box I installed for her. I made her a 4x2x2 viv about a month ago. It is the one with the drawers in the post I made about the enclosures. http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=124292&hilit=She is pretty big, about 18 inches long, and FAT. She has not been in contact with a male. I know for sure that she is NOT pregnant. Anyways, I decided to install a sand box a few days ago. I used the largest disposable tupperware I have, about 10 inches long and 5 inches wide. Im using playsand from Home depot. She didnt really seem to care about the fact that it was there for the first two days, but yesterday and this morning I found her digging in it. She would throw all the sand to one side, then when she hit bottom she'd do it again. How large should the sand box I provide for her be? I'm thinking I need to go get one thats bigger since she is pretty big. Also, like I said she is NOT pregnant, but do they still lay some type of infertile egg or anything? I think she is just starting to come out of brumation also. I made a post a while back about her always hiding, and not eating much. She still isnt eating like the champion she is, but more. She also isnt retreating to her hide in the middle of the day to stay there till the next morning. Sometimes she wouldnt even leave her hide in the morning. Now she doesnt seem to be going there anymore, but she is chillin and digging in the sand. Just wondering what she is up to. Looking for/ getting ready for a mate?

 

[Gail]

That really sounds like she is looking to lay, females will lay infertile eggs. I believe most people proved a separate deep lay box for their females and not just a partial area in the cage. I'm sure one of the breeders will come along and give advice on how to proper set up a lay box for her.

 

[acwood04]

Anyone know what I should use to make a lay box? I'd rather it be in the viv so she can go in and leave as she pleases...

 

[ChellyBeans]

Natural potting soil with a slight sand mixture, I hear, is the best. If I am wrong, someone please correct me.

 

[Gail]

You would probably get better advise if you post in the breeding forum asking how to make a lay box.

 

[spyder79]

god im glad i have this in a word file so i can just copy and paste lol anywho

Laybox 101
30 gallon grey tupperware/sterlite container from Home Depot
1 bag of all natural top soil from Home Depot or Garden Center
1 bag of childrens play sand from Home Depot (needs to be sifted to take out large chunks)
You will need a 40 watt spot light bulb with brooder lamp (Both can be purchased from Home Depot for $4-$5 each)

Now you will need to moisten the top soil/sand mix to until is damp but not wet (ie when squeezed only a small drop would come out of the handful being squeezed)... I like to create a 45 degree slope with a hole in one corner of the container, and I place the female head first into that corner. Her instincts will take over from here provided the top soil or sand is warm enough. Don't use vermiculite it's not that good for digging, and it's expensive compared to sand or top soil in large quanities... So save the vermiculite for incubation of the eggs...

Before the female is placed in the lay box you need to cut a hole in the top of the lid so the 40 watt spot light can shine down inside of the bin for warmth... I cut my holes just slightly larger than the diameter of the bulb, and the brooder/lamp fixture will rest on top of the lid...

Once that's all set, your female will dig for up to 2 hours before laying... But if she's not to picky she will lay almost immediately after finishing her first hole. Now she may dig "test" holes, where she might lay 1-2 eggs on one hole, and decide she doesn't like that hole. Then cover those eggs up and move on to another hole where she might lay the remainder of the eggs. So be sure to check all of the corners of the bin before deciding you have all of her eggs.