If you’ve ever wondered why your bearded dragon is scratching in the corner of its tank, you’re not alone. Many pet owners wonder the same thing. There are many reasons your beardie may be scratching in a corner, from stress to parasites. Here are a few of the more common causes. Your beardie may be stressed out and scratching in a corner because it feels unsafe or uncomfortable.
A good quality substrate is a good place to begin with digging, as this is a natural behavior. If your beardie digs to cool itself down, it’s probably trying to lay eggs. However, if your beardie is not pregnant, it can still do this. Moreover, you’ll notice that she digs and scratches in an erratic pattern. In general, bearded dragons scratch in a corner to find insects and feed.
If you haven’t provided enrichment, your beardie may be bored. Being confined to a tank for long periods can be stressful for any animal, including bearded dragons. In fact, the lack of enrichment can cause boredom and scratching. It’s also possible that your beardie is escaping the tank to spend time with you, but in this case, it’s better to consider enrichment options.
While scratching is a natural behavior for beardie dragons, it can also signal a problem for the beardie. For instance, if your beardie is scratching a corner of its cage, it’s likely that it’s rubbing its face on something rough. If this behavior continues, your beardie may need other behavioral changes. But if you can identify the root cause, it will relieve both your stress and your beardie’s stress levels.
If your beardie is displaying this behavior, you should consider relocating it to another room or part of your house. This situation may not only stress out your beardie, but can also cause it to develop health problems. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to keep your beardie in a separate room or tank until the stress level has been reduced for the beardie. If it is exhibiting this behavior regularly, it’s time to get him separated from the other beardie dragons in the house.
If your beardie has diarrhea, it’s possible that you have introduced something new to the enclosure that has made it feel uncomfortable. Eating rotten food, too much berries, or too much water-heavy foods may have made him feel unwell. Your beardie may have diarrhea for several days. If it’s not, then your beardie may be suffering from a parasite.
Another reason why your beardie might be scratching in a corner is that he is hungry. During this time, your beardie may be attempting to eat insects. However, they are extremely addicting to fatty worms, so you should stop feeding it and allow him to adjust without the food. The problem may be temporary, but don’t give up! If you do, you will soon see your beardie scratching in the corner again.
Why is my bearded dragon glass surfing and digging?
Glass surfing is thought to be a result of stress and a bearded dragon may be stressed for several reasons: An enclosure or tank that’s too small for it can stress a bearded dragon out. Another bearded dragon, even if they’re not housed together, may be interpreted as competition for a bearded dragon and cause stress.
Why does my bearded dragon dig and scratch?
Yes, digging is normal behavior for a bearded dragon but can also be a sign of some discomfort. If you notice your beardie digging, check if there might be something off in its enclosure (e.g. temperature) that is causing it some stress or discomfort.1
Why does my bearded dragon window surf?
Glass surfing is thought to be a result of stress and a bearded dragon may be stressed for several reasons: An enclosure or tank that’s too small for it can stress a bearded dragon out. Another bearded dragon, even if they’re not housed together, may be interpreted as competition for a bearded dragon and cause stress.
Why is my bearded dragon digging?
Yes, it’s normal for bearded dragons to dig shallow burrows and hide in them. They usually do this to cool off, hide, or when females start to lay eggs.1
How do I stop my bearded dragon from reflecting glass?
There are a few options to help minimize your bearded dragon from seeing their reflection. These include covering up to 3 sides of the tank with background paper, experimenting with the lighting in and around the terrarium, adding plants and decorations to block/reduce the reflection, or creating distractions.
Why is my bearded dragon digging in the corner?
So if your bearded dragon is over 12 months old, and starts digging during the colder months of the year, it could be preparing for brumation. Your bearded dragons could be digging to prepare its hide spot for brumation. This is common when a bearded dragon is digging in a corner, too.
What does it mean when your bearded dragon is scratching the walls?
Beardies do this to essentially grab your attention. They’re probably bored, see the outside world, want to run around and try to get out. Most people find this obnoxious or cute and get them out and they run around. After a few times your pet knows that if they dance, you’ll get them out.
Why is my bearded dragon trying to digging in the corner?
Bearded dragons can start digging for several reasons, but none of them is something to get worked up over. The most common reasons for digging are finding a better basking spot, females preparing to lay eggs, and beardies getting ready for brumation.
Why do bearded dragons dig in corners?
Bearded dragons can start digging for several reasons, but none of them is something to get worked up over. The most common reasons for digging are finding a better basking spot, females preparing to lay eggs, and beardies getting ready for brumation.
What does it mean when bearded dragons dig?
Yes, it’s normal for bearded dragons to dig shallow burrows and hide in them. They usually do this to cool off, hide, or when females start to lay eggs.1
Why is my beardie scratching at the walls?
Beardies do this to essentially grab your attention. They’re probably bored, see the outside world, want to run around and try to get out. Most people find this obnoxious or cute and get them out and they run around. After a few times your pet knows that if they dance, you’ll get them out.
Why is my bearded dragon scratching the corner of his cage?
Your bearded dragons could be digging to prepare its hide spot for brumation. This is common when a bearded dragon is digging in a corner, too. You can read all about bearded dragon brumation in this post.
Why do bearded dragons scratch at walls?
Beardies do this to essentially grab your attention. They’re probably bored, see the outside world, want to run around and try to get out. Most people find this obnoxious or cute and get them out and they run around. After a few times your pet knows that if they dance, you’ll get them out.
Why does my beardie keep running into walls?
When glass surfing, the bearded dragons appear to want to escape the tank desperately. Also known as glass dancing, bearded dragons will scurry around their tank and attempt to climb the walls of the enclosure. The reptile rubs its belly on the wall to get a grip while its arms are waving frantically.
Why is my bearded dragon digging crazy?
Generally, bearded dragon digging behavior will start for two primary reasons. The first is that their tank is too warm, making it difficult for them to regulate their body’s temperature. Digging allows them to find a cooler spot within the tank. The other reason is a female getting ready to lay eggs.
Why does my bearded dragon keep trying to dig?
Yes, digging is normal behavior for a bearded dragon but can also be a sign of some discomfort. If you notice your beardie digging, check if there might be something off in its enclosure (e.g. temperature) that is causing it some stress or discomfort.1
