Glass Surfing

[bellaw920]

My bearded dragon is about a year and ten month old. Lately he/she (I can't quite determine the gender) has been glass surfing on every wall of it's cage. My bearded dragon has not been through any traumatic experiences during any time of it's life, and the glass surfing was unexpected and its been happening regularly. There is a mirror across from the cage, but I keep that covered up. The temperature in the cage is as it should be. Whenever I let my bearded dragon out of it's cage, it runs a bit and then runs back towards the cage, scratching to get back in, but within a few minutes she's clawing to get out again. The bearded dragon has a 75 gallon tank and there have been no new items added to the cage. He/she is the only dragon in it's cage and there are no others around. It's eating habits are like normal, as well as it's bathroom habits. I handle my beardie regularly and he/she is still active when I take him/her out of the cage.
Please let me know what I can do to stop my bearded dragon from glass surfing, or if there are any other factors as to why he/she is doing it in the first place.

 

[Rampagingraptor]

There are many more possibilities, but maybe your beardie is female. Its entirely possible that if they are a she, then they are trying to find a place to lay their eggs. I wouldn't quote me on that, though. You should try to identify your beardie's gender just in case.
It probably isn't too much of a problem if they are eating normally and are still alert.

 

[CooperDragon]

I agree that you should check the gender because digging behavior can indicate need to lay eggs. It can also be restlessness so it's good that you're letting him run around outside the tank a bit. You may want to build a dig box and see how he/she reacts. Has he brumated/slowed down this winter? They can sometimes come out of a brumation state and act a bit hyper due to hormones.

 

[bellaw920]

Update: Bearded dragon is a girl

What kind of substrate should I put in a box for her to lay eggs if she wants? Is there anything I can do to help her or will she be fine and lay them on her own?

Thanks for the help!

 

[CooperDragon]

You can use a rubbermaid bin and fill it with a combination of moist play sand along with some organic topsoil. It should have a consistency that holds a tunnel structure without it collapsing. I'd just start a little tunnel and let her dig and do the rest.

 

[bellaw920]

Thank you for all your help!