What is a safe substrate for a dragon to dig in?

[dragonscales]

I am not sure if this should be in Behavior, Health or Enclosure forum

What is a good substrate for Ember to dig in? How deep should it be? She will not be living on it I just want a place for her to dig.
I tried using damp play sand but when Ember digs a hole it caves in.

Here is a video of her digging in the sand and outside in some organic soil.
http://youtu.be/zI-272edoGA

 

[diamc]

[Moved here from General Discussion forum]

How long have you had Ember? Has she been with a male that you know of? If not, she may be getting ready to lay infertile eggs so it's very important that you make her a lay box to prevent her from becoming egg bound. There is lots of helpful info in the Breeding forum. viewforum.php?f=4

Has she not been eating lately? Has she had boundless energy? Does she pass urates without the brown poop? Those are all signs of a gravid beardie.

 

[aegillesp]

I've never seen a dragon dig. She is adorable!! Sorry I can't provide help but it made me giggle!

 

[dragonscales]

Ember has been with me since December 2012 and she turned 1 on August 25 2013 and has never been in contact with a male. I knew she could still lay infertile eggs without a male I just did not think she would be mature enough since she is about 14 months old. I was thinking Ember was starting to go in burmation. She has been eating less. Ember has never been a good eater of greens even though I offer them to her every day. She just likes food that moves. I have seen her pass only urates 2 or 3 times in the last couple of days.

Today she was a bit restless and scratching in her cave. So I got some sand and put it in a tote. She dug a nice hole but the tote was too small. Tomorrow I will put the sand in a much bigger tote so she can dig deeper.

Today she just dug a cave big enough for her to turn around in.

 

[diamc]

It sounds like she is getting close to laying infertile eggs. Make sure the sand is moist enough so that she can pack it. Give her extra calcium and if she is not eating, you can mix a little calcium with water or even diluted juice by putting drops on her nose with a plastic medicine dropper. Make sure she is kept well hydrated too.

Please keep us updated on her.

 

[dragonscales]

I got her a larger tote to dig in but when I put Ember in it she had no interest in digging anymore. It turns out Ember was getting ready for her first brumation. I noticed her appetite was getting smaller the past 2 weeks. She has been lying under the fleece blanket in the same place for the past 3 days.

 

[ILoveLemmonade]

Lemon seems to be acting the same though she is only 10 months. Lower appetite and only a couple bowel movements per week. I doubt it's impaction since her diet has stayed the same and is not on loose substrate. I am planning on making her a dig box since she has also been scratching at her cage which is what brought me to this thread.

I don't believe the original question was answered. What substrate should be used in a dig box and what dimensions?