Caring for a pregnant (Gravid) female bearded dragon can be tricky and sometimes it can even be hard to try and keep them healthy. When a female gets pregnant without mating, she will lay infertile eggs. The care for a dragon pregnant with fertile and the care for a female pregnant with infertile eggs is exactly the same.
Is my Female Bearded Dragon Pregnant (Gravid)?
Although it can be hard to spot if a female is pregnant in the beginning stages, it is rather easy to spot in the later stages. There are a few signs of a pregnant female and they are as follows:
- A sudden increase in appetite followed by a sudden decrease in appetite.
- Constantly digging no matter where they are.
- Constantly running around.
- Small round bulges on the stomach. (Not visible, feel it with your fingers.)
- Looks constipated when pooping.
- Drinks a lot of water throughout the day.
- A lot of glass surfing to get out of the cage.
Please Note: Not all of the above-mentioned signs will appear at the same time, some may not even appear.
What Supplements Should I Give My Pregnant Bearded Dragon?
Since eggs are made of calcium, it means that those eggs will draw calcium from the body of the female. This is the reason why a pregnant female should receive calcium 2-3 times a week, rather than 1-2 times a week. Vitamins should be given every fourth day that is not the same day that calcium is given. (Think of it as bearded dragon pre-natal care.)On the days that nothing is given, pro-biotics can be given, but it is not a must. Leave some days where the dragon will not receive any supplements to give the kidneys and liver a rest, but do not skip any supplements in order to do so.
This schedule should be continued for up to 3 weeks after they laid their eggs, before returning to the normal one, as their bodies will need to replenish what it has lost.
Female Bearded Dragon Digging
A female that is getting ready to lay eggs will start digging nonstop. Provide a box of clean sand/dirt or something similar where your dragon can dig. Make sure what you put in the sandbox for digging is clean, not only of bacteria but mites, parasites, bugs, and so forth. (Placing it in boiling water, then letting it dry is a good way of sanitizing their digging dirt.) If a place is not provided, they will dig anywhere, even on carpet and tiles. This can be harmful because their nails can get stuck and so forth, injuring their toes, and limbs.
Pregnant Bearded Dragon Diet
A pregnant female’s food intake will increase and they will eat a lot more than usual. This is to feed the eggs. Make sure to provide enough food (More insects than vegetables), even if they are picking up to much weight, they are going to need it. The increase in food intake will stop around the time when she is ready to lay her eggs. Around this time, they start losing their appetite, eating less and less to the point where some dragons do not eat anything at all. Do not worry about appetite loss, it is normal. This is where the stored-up fat from eating so much comes in handy. It will keep them going until they have laid all the eggs, which is when their appetite comes back with a bang. Once again, provide them with enough food afterward to help them pick up the weight that they have lost during the process. Have a look at the Bearded Dragon Food List if unsure about what to feed your dragon.
A pregnant female can get dehydrated very quickly, due to running, digging, and so forth. Make sure to give them plenty of water. More regular baths will also help, especially with those stubborn ones that do not want to drink.
Also ensure to up their tank temps, by a degree or two, as they will, not be spending as much time basking, and still need the heat to be healthy and happy.
Females lay eggs in clutches that can range in amount, depending on fertility, and so forth. they can also lay multiple clutches in a single year, which tires their bodies out quite fast, so make sure to give them the extra nutrients and supplements, that their bodies crave, as not doing so can lead to a decrease in their health or diseases such as MBD taking hold.
