Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My female is 11 months old and very healthy! But she has been digging like crazy! I've felt her tummy several times and I honestly dont feel any thing there because i know they will lay eggs...even if they arent ferilized. I have her on cal-sand (which has not been a problem for her..i know some of you dont like that substrate ). She digs not just in one spot either...shes been digging all over her cage. Is this just practice or is this something i should be concerned about? Thanks guys and gals!

She may just be having fun, however infertile eggs can be hard to feel because they don't necessarily plump up like fertile ones. It would be a little early for a 11 month old to throw an infertile clutch but it's not unheard of. Another way to look is to put her front legs on one hand and pick her up by the base of her tail, her belly will flatten out and you may be able to see bumps in there that you can't feel. I'd say if you think the chance is there, putting a lay box in can't hurt (might make a mess, but can't hurt). Has she had any larger than normal weight gains in the last few weeks?

Sean
Heart Mountain Herps

I haven't noticed a weight change in her. Her eatting has slowed down just a tiny bit (only for the past couple of days), but she is frantic with her digging. I would like to make a digging box for her...just in case, because she seems to want to dig "Under" something. Such as her food bowl, but there isnt enough sand for her to do so. I do have a cave like rock in her tank, but she only seems to be digging around it, instead of going under it? Shes dug before but only in one area and to make a resting place for herself. Shes just digging where ever she can at this point. Please let me know what I need to do for one of those boxs! Thank you!

Easiest way is to take a big rubbermaid container and pile moist dirt about 10-15 inches deep on a slope on one end. She'll need a basking light hooked up pointing at the dirt also. I'd put her in and see what happens, if she doesn't lay by bedtime take her out feed and water her and then try again tomorrow. The not eating thing is another sign of needing to lay, a lot of females do this several days before laying.

Sean
Heart Mountain Herps

where should i get this dirt from? im afraid to get it from outside cuz of weed killer and stuff from the ground! Thank you so much for all your help! As of right now shes stopped digging and just chill'n' out at here cooling zone. I think she wore herself out. I'm definitly going to try to box anyhow - its not going to hurt her. Thank you so much for your help! it is wayyy appericated!

I just use cheap potting soil or topsoil without all the extra fertilizers and stuff in it. Anyway, I get mine from the garden section of walmart. When I'm done with it, I dump it in my wifes flower beds so it gets a double use. Some people like to mix it 50/50 with sand others like to add vermiculite, I keep it cheap and easy and just use dirt but anything that's moist like that that they can tunnel into will work.

Sean
Heart Mountain Herps