How can I let my BD dig and burrow?

[beardlover]

I'm aware of the dangers with any sand, walnut shell, etc. But the thing is Vinny (7-8 months old, almost 17inches long) loves to dig and burrow. I'm looking for ideas on something safe to put in her tank that still allows her to dig, burrow and just generally get all cozy in.
Any suggestions?

 

[Elora]

most of us have beardie blankets/towels that we put in with them. They love to snuggle with something soft!

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=100407 (pics of beardies all snuggled up)
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=94949

 

[Ethelia]

You can also make a "snuggle den" as I did for Dex.

Its just a shoebox with a door cut in with several layers of toweling that she liked to burrow into at night.
Im sure you can make a much better looking one out of wood for long term if you would prefere ^_^

Just another idea to add to the pile.
Holly

 

[fresnowitte]

I agree with blankies!
Itty Bitty has several she likes to push them into her hide and dig around in them until they are perfectly comfortable. :lol: All of me beardies love their blankies.

 

[sweetiepie9]

I agree, too, Barbara; All of our beardies have their own blankies and dig around in them, it's fun to listen to. Our juvie, Issy, is on newspaper and has a blankie that's a handmade dishcloth. She loves to move that blandie around until she's fully covered, then she digs into the layers of newspaper. She seems to cut then in squares, and have the squares up around her face, with her blankie on top. Beardies are wonderful!

 

[sweetiepie9]

To show how good Issy is at digging & burrowing into the newspaper that layers the bottom on her tank: I took out her chamber that she sleeps in & found this:

 

[beardie1434]

This is what I did for Gabby
Used a ferret corner litter box (brand new) and added T-Rex Desert Snow.

and this is what I got

just another idea

 

[beardlover]

What is the desert snow? I've never come across it before. Is it safe?

 

[fresnowitte]

What is the desert snow? I've never come across it before. Is it safe?

Being it is a particle substrate I'd say no it's not safe.
Here are a few of links I found when I googled desert snow.
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viewtopic.php?p=737340
viewtopic.php?p=753528

 

[darkcirca]

I did a similar thing with Nibs and gave her a sand box to dig in - it was playsand and had been sifted numerous times (and laid out in the sun for a day or two to completely dry out).

She made a disaster out of it though, and the entire cage was covered in sand, and the box was almost empty!

 

[dragons1222]

i was thinking of doing a sand box type thing as well

b/c the cages i have i cannot put sand in b/c of the doors

anyway i didnt b/c i figured it would be everywhere lol

maybe try a sand box that is more enclosed?

 

[darkcirca]

i was thinking of doing a sand box type thing as well

b/c the cages i have i cannot put sand in b/c of the doors

anyway i didnt b/c i figured it would be everywhere lol

maybe try a sand box that is more enclosed?

One option would be having walls and a roof, with a door going in. Maybe that would keep it in a little better. I gave up hope and when she was a bit older we just converted to sand. She seems a lot happier now too (but sucks I can't leave blankies in there for her!).

 

[ghr15]

Sifted playsand actually posses very little risk to a bearded dragon. What you can do is have the sand dry on the top and a bit damp on the bottom. You put a tube in the sand so you can wet the bottom layer leaving the top dry. Then they can burrow into it. I did that for my uromastix he loves it.