Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My gravid female is digging like crazy in the cage, but when I put her in the lay box, she doesn't do anything....any suggestions? She is due to lay today....any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks...
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*Cheryl*

3.4.0 Bearded Dragons(Callahan, Finnegan, Big Red, Kailey, Feona, Karina, Squirt)
1.1.3 Crested Geckos (Tigger, Mr. Cheetos, Mickey, Pistol, Charcoal)
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor (Guiness)
0.0.1 Blue Spot Timor (Timonium)
1.0.0 Ball Python (Melvin)

www.doubletroubledragons.com

What are you using for a laying substrate? Maybe she doesn't like it, you could try switching it.

Also, is it her first clutch? When you put her in, place her in the box and make a few small indentations to show her she can dig in it....sometimes that will help.

good luck!
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

This is her 2nd year and it is the same substrate as last year, I believe it is potting soil and some vermiculite mixed in, my husband got it ready....I have done this many times and never experienced this before, that is why I am asking for help LOL....I will try making some indentations, what other substrates do you suggest...

Thanks
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*Cheryl*

3.4.0 Bearded Dragons(Callahan, Finnegan, Big Red, Kailey, Feona, Karina, Squirt)
1.1.3 Crested Geckos (Tigger, Mr. Cheetos, Mickey, Pistol, Charcoal)
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor (Guiness)
0.0.1 Blue Spot Timor (Timonium)
1.0.0 Ball Python (Melvin)

www.doubletroubledragons.com

You can heat the sand with a basking spot. Cover part or all the laying box with a board, rubbermaid lid, etc, so part is shaded, maybe she finds it too hot or is being shy. It may be too damp, too dry, or smell funny to her (it's not the actual soil she laid in before, is it? or just the same mixture?) Starting a hole yourself is good, many dragons will use that.

Also, has she stopped eating? She may not quite be ready so may take a few more days before she lays.
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PHLdyPayne

Thanks for the reply...not it is not the same substrate as last year, but the same type mixture....I have tried to make it dry, she didn't like that, I tried digging holes, and she didn't like that, the container I use is a rubbermaid container with a screen top..I tried making it warm and taking the light off, but nothing is working....I just don't want her to lay them in the cage....

thx
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*Cheryl*

3.4.0 Bearded Dragons(Callahan, Finnegan, Big Red, Kailey, Feona, Karina, Squirt)
1.1.3 Crested Geckos (Tigger, Mr. Cheetos, Mickey, Pistol, Charcoal)
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor (Guiness)
0.0.1 Blue Spot Timor (Timonium)
1.0.0 Ball Python (Melvin)

www.doubletroubledragons.com

I know exactly how you feel. I've been watching my female like crazy. She stopped eating all together a little while ago but she still hasn't dropped her eggs and nothing I do is working. This is my girls first clutch so I've got to wait and see what happens too.

I guess that is what I am gonna have to do also......I have a clutch of eggs do anytime now......Thanks for the reply....
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*Cheryl*

3.4.0 Bearded Dragons(Callahan, Finnegan, Big Red, Kailey, Feona, Karina, Squirt)
1.1.3 Crested Geckos (Tigger, Mr. Cheetos, Mickey, Pistol, Charcoal)
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor (Guiness)
0.0.1 Blue Spot Timor (Timonium)
1.0.0 Ball Python (Melvin)

www.doubletroubledragons.com

I have heard that a luke warm bath could help, she may be a bit dehydrated and that may get her ready to lay (of course don't let her lay in the water LOL). Otherwise, she may just not quite be ready to lay yet but is getting the prelay 'jitters'.
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PHLdyPayne