Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey again guys!

My older female, Minerva is digging and digging and digging! Shocked all of us because it’s late in the season. (and yes she and Bindy live with their “husband” lol)

But here's the thing --she's been digging SERIOUSLY for 3 days. I've made her a HUGE lay box, and warmed it up and just the right amount of moisture so she can dig a tunnel/cave. She'll dig for hours, making a HUGE tunnel, back up into it, stay there for 10-15 minutes, then come out. But no eggs. She does this over and over...all day.

I'm starting to get a bit worried. When Bindy laid all of hers, she dug, laid, and buried...all in about 3 hours. Minnie's just not getting it...and she's getting sooo tired!

Any ideas about what's going on or how I can help her more?

Thanks, guys!
~Jeni
-----
1.2.0 Beardies: Albus, Minerva, and Bindy
0.1.0 Furball (aka a cat): Smudge
1.0.0 Hubby: Travis
2.0.0 Rugrats Kyler, 8 and Collin, 5

Are you sure she's gravid? Is she eating?

I've had dragons do that at the end of the season before. They've built a nice nest and then just gone to sleep in it. Somehow they think their gravid when they're really not. I'd make sure you keep her hydrated.

Hmmm...not EXACTLY sure, but no she's not eating. I bathe her often and try my darndest to give her drinks all day but is being stubborn about that too.

I thought about brumation, but she ONLY digs in her laybox now. and last season she just kinda boxed herself into one of her hides for a few weeks in like January. Plus it's still warm here.

Does anyone know about how much an ultrasound costs? For my peace of mind, I'd hate for her to be egg-bound or something.

Also...Like I said, she digs these huge tunnels/caves. If she IS gravid, and NOT laying, is it better to leave the dug tunnels, or smooth everything over and have her start fresh today?

Thanks, guys! (yet again)
~Jeni

>>Are you sure she's gravid? Is she eating?
>>
>>I've had dragons do that at the end of the season before. They've built a nice nest and then just gone to sleep in it. Somehow they think their gravid when they're really not. I'd make sure you keep her hydrated.
-----
1.2.0 Beardies: Albus, Minerva, and Bindy
0.1.0 Furball (aka a cat): Smudge
1.0.0 Hubby: Travis
2.0.0 Rugrats Kyler, 8 and Collin, 5

20% of mine are brumating now. Some have been since the beginning of August and it's still in the 90's most days here.

I'd call around to vets for a price if you are considering an ultrasound. One of my dragons had one once but it was years ago and I don't know how much it was.

I'm religious about weighing my dragons. I weigh them all every Sunday and write it down. Rapid weight gain usually is a good indication that eggs are forming.

I have a female doing the same thing, she hasnt been with a male and is not bred, from everything everyone has told me she is simply getting ready to brumate herself. she spends all her time digging and then turns around and sits there, she also has not basked like usual however still eating up a storm.