Bearded dragon help please?

She was digging excessively for a good half hour. But what she's been doing more is going into her hide and clawing at the back of it. I hear her do it ALL THE TIME. What could this mean? Is she just trying to find heat? This is my first beardie...

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Also I realize it's not a great hide but everyting you see in there besides the bucket was got at the pet store. Including the substrate. I just forgot a hide

Hi Denny....beardies sometimes dig just for something to do. It can be from stress [ especially when put in a new home ] or boredom, young dragons have a lot of energy. They may also dig if it's too warm or too cold. Adult females, of course, also dig when they are going to lay eggs. If you only have one basking bulb I doubt she's too hot. You will need to have an accurate way to determine the temps. Basking spot should be about 100-105, the cooler end between 75-85. I would take the bucket out and put in another basking log, one that's taller will allow her to get closer to the heat + UVB if she wants. You can even get one from outside, just put it in a pre-heated 250 degree oven to kill any potential sleeping insects.

Originally Posted by angie.h

Hi Denny....beardies sometimes dig just for something to do. It can be from stress [ especially when put in a new home ] or boredom, young dragons have a lot of energy. They may also dig if it's too warm or too cold. Adult females, of course, also dig when they are going to lay eggs. If you only have one basking bulb I doubt she's too hot. You will need to have an accurate way to determine the temps. Basking spot should be about 100-105, the cooler end between 75-85. I would take the bucket out and put in another basking log, one that's taller will allow her to get closer to the heat + UVB if she wants. You can even get one from outside, just put it in a pre-heated 250 degree oven to kill any potential sleeping insects.

Thank you very much. And Ok I'll try that and post the pic

Originally Posted by angie.h

Hi Denny....beardies sometimes dig just for something to do. It can be from stress [ especially when put in a new home ] or boredom, young dragons have a lot of energy. They may also dig if it's too warm or too cold. Adult females, of course, also dig when they are going to lay eggs. If you only have one basking bulb I doubt she's too hot. You will need to have an accurate way to determine the temps. Basking spot should be about 100-105, the cooler end between 75-85. I would take the bucket out and put in another basking log, one that's taller will allow her to get closer to the heat + UVB if she wants. You can even get one from outside, just put it in a pre-heated 250 degree oven to kill any potential sleeping insects.

So I found the perfect log but my mom doesn't want it in her oven... What do you recommend that I can buy that's cheap?

You'd have to check your local stores for sales. Too bad mom won't let you put the log in the oven, it doesn't harm anything as long as you are careful and it's not touching the heating elements. You could probably soak it in very hot soapy water and maybe some vinegar, then rinse well with hot water + let it dry which would take a few days.

Right. Ill see if she'll let me do that. Thanks for your help, Angie.

You're welcome.