Gravid is a term used to describe a reptile that is getting ready to lay eggs. This happens whether or not your female dragon has mated. If she has not mated, the eggs will be infertile; your dragon will lay one clutch of infertile eggs.
This process can start as young as ten months old, but typically it starts around a year. If not, this may indicate that your female dragon may never lay eggs.
How do you tell if your dragon is about to lay?
Your dragon may start to gain weight rapidly even though she is eating the same amount of food. Next, you may notice her stomach getting bigger, and you will start to feel lumps which are the eggs. Her feces will become irregular (either loose or smaller amounts), and the urate may have a pink hue to it.
I asked a friend what she would tell someone who had a gravid dragon for the first time. She said that her first time was an adventure. Her dragon stopped eating for about a week, she stayed on the cool side, she didn’t bask much and she was restless.
She has eggs in her tummy! What do I do next?
To start, you will want to increase her calcium supplements. The calcium is used to create the eggs, and she will need more to support her calcium needs as well as the egg production. It is similar to human women taking pre-natal vitamins; for dragons, it is calcium!
Your dragon may also be dehydrated during the egg production. Give her long warm baths so she can drink and let her enjoy the bath. Once you notice that your dragon has started digging in her tank, it is time to make or put her in the lay bin.
How to create a lay bin!
Get a large bin! You can get a bag of “clean play sand” or topsoil. Some people choose to use both and mix them. If you use the sand, moisten the sand with hot water and pack the sand on one side. You can put a basking light on the bin to you keep your dragon warm. If you don’t have a second basking lamp, you will need to purchase one for the lay bin.
Don’t leave the dragon in the bin overnight or when you are away. It can take a few days of digging for the dragon to feel ready to lay. Give your dragon a quick rinse after she is in the sand so she does not bring loose substrate into her tank.
How to care for your dragon after she has laid her eggs!
You will notice she has weight loss, seems dehydrated, has an appetite increase and may have a sore bum. Your dragon has been through quite a bit during this process, so give her lots of love and extra food. She needs to bulk back up after losing weight. You can give her more protein and fat to help her gain back weight. Although day-old pinkies (a day-old baby mouse) should not be given regularly, some people say it is ok to give one to a lady dragon who has just laid to get her weight back up. Your lady dragon deserves a long warm bath. Make sure to get off all of the sand. She needs to drink water after what her body has been through. If you are new to dragons in general, then I would recommend a vet visit just to make sure your beautiful lady is healthy.
What do I do with the unfertilized eggs?
Most people discard the eggs.
Can there be complications?
Yes - there is a thing call egg binding. This is where the lady dragon is having trouble laying her eggs, and it can cause many issues. If you know your dragon has eggs but is acting like she is having trouble getting them out, she is probably egg bound. It is fairly common, but you should see your vet as soon as you suspect your dragon is egg bound.
Getting pet insurance for Bearded Dragons may also provide additional peace of mind, though exotic pet policies are notoriously hard to come by. Money.com has a great article that breaks down many different policies (including Nationwide’s exotic pet insurance) to help you decide when (and if) pet insurance may be right for you. Check it out here: https://money.com/best-pet-insurance/.
