Bearded dragons have a unique and interesting method of reproduction. Did you know that adult female bearded dragons can lay eggs without copulating? There’s a lot to know about this process, from mating to post-laying.
Bearded dragons lay and bury their eggs in slightly moist soil where they can hatch on their own. As non-parental (precocial) creatures, beardies do not care for or protect their clutch after laying; in some cases, they may destroy the eggs or attack hatchlings if placed in the same enclosure.
In this article, we’ll be talking about how bearded dragons lay their eggs and how you can handle the situation effectively to help you ensure your pet lizard’s safety throughout the ordeal.
A Quick Review of Your Beardie’s Reproductive Cycle
Egg laying is one of the most crucial stages of your pet’s reproductive process. During this time, beardies go through the following milestones:
Mating
Female bearded dragons require 3 to 4 weeks of successful mating to become gravid. This involves placing the male and female in the same enclosure while alternating their separation to avoid territorial squabbles. Mating can be stressful, so owners need to be informed and prepared.
Pregnancy
Once fertilized, pregnancy lasts 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, the female may become noticeably plumper, especially around her belly. You may notice unusual behaviors like restlessness, evasiveness, arm waving, digging, and scratching as your pet prepares herself to lay.
Egg-laying
Organizing a lay box is crucial for the egg-laying process. This designated space provides the female with the privacy and comfort she needs to dig and lay her eggs safely. More about this special laying area is discussed later in the article.
Post laying
Once the eggs are laid, carefully transfer the female from the lay box back into her enclosure. You can either incubate the eggs using an incubator (view on Amazon) or dispose of them.
Check out my comprehensive guide which extensively covers the mating and incubation process for a better understanding of this subject. Otherwise, let’s carry on with preparing your gravid bearded dragon for laying!
How to Prepare Your Bearded Dragon for Egg-Laying
During egg-laying, your pet is liable to life-threatening complications. You can avoid such problems by following the tips below, starting with the items you need:
- A lay box
- Potting soil
- A spray bottle
1. Ensure Your Gravid Bearded Dragon Is Due to Lay
Identifying gravid beardies can be a little tricky especially if the dragon is naturally chunky. If you have recently acquired or rescued a pregnant bearded dragon, the best way to tell if it’s due for egg-laying is by the following signs:
- Visible egg prints around the belly area
- Stiff or bloated belly
- Restlessness
- Unusual aggression
- Decreased appetite
- Digging or scratching around the enclosure
- Arm waving
- Pacing
- Glass surfing (Laying on the glass and scratching against it)
2. Supply A Suitable Laying Space
Once your pet is ready to lay, fill the lay box (view on Amazon) with two inches of potting soil (view on Amazon). Lightly mist the soil to keep it slightly moist and make digging and burying easier. This is because dragons prefer digging around moist, slightly loose soil.
3. Provide A Nutritious Diet Only
During this time, feed your gravid bearded dragon healthy meals supplemented with calcium and vitamin D to help her replenish her vitamin load. The majority of her nutrients are utilized to formulate the eggs, which can deplete the beardie’s health.
4. Ensure Proper Lighting and Temperature
Lighting and temperature are crucial for pregnant dragons that are about to pop. At this vulnerable moment, they require consistent UVB rays to synthesize and restock vitamin D, and consistent heat to maintain their temperature during the tiresome activity.
How to Help Your Bearded Dragon Lay Her Eggs Safely
Ensuring your beardie lays her eggs is easier once the lay box is prepared. Your pet can immediately proceed with laying after you’ve observed the following steps:
Place Your Beardie Inside The Lay Box From Dusk Till Dawn
Bearded dragons typically lay eggs in the evening or at night. Transfer your dragon to the lay box at dusk and return her to her enclosure at dawn to ensure she’s not forfeiting the necessary UVB and heat as she lays her eggs.
Hydrate Both Beardie and Laying Soil
Due to the decrease in appetite, most pregnant dragons may be dehydrated before, during, and after laying which can become quite uncomfortable. Using a spray bottle, lightly mist your pet and the soil before leaving it to make the process easier and more convenient. Do not place a water dish inside the lay box as this might dangerously raise the humidity and lead to other problems like respiratory infections.
Minimize Handling
The egg-laying process is physically taxing and stressful, hence your stressed pet beardie may not appreciate being handled, fondled, or prodded. Limit holding your dragon as this might cause it pain or discomfort. Most especially, keep it away from kids who might have a harder time with careful handling.
Monitor for Complications
Egg binding or dystocia is a situation where some or all of the eggs bind to the ovarian duct thereby blocking the passage. It can be life-threatening requiring immediate treatment to save the bearded dragon’s life.
The major reasons for egg binding in bearded dragons are:
- Dehydration
- Impaction from loose soil due to leaving the beardie in the lay box for too long
- Improper nutrition
- Abnormal egg shape or size
- Genetics
How to Identify Egg Binding in Bearded Dragons
Egg binding may be difficult to recognize, especially if you’re a beginner. It usually occurs within 60 to 80 days of pregnancy, around the same period when egg-laying should occur. Here are major indicators that your gravid pet may be egg-bound:
- Sparse laying of eggs such as dropping only two or three
- Gasping, heavy breathing, or frequent gaping
- Darkening of the beard
- Inability to move or sudden reduction in mobility
- Awkward bending or writhing of the body
- Excessively swollen abdomen
If you notice any of the signs around the period your beardie is supposed to lay, immediately take it to the vet for treatment. When your pet is egg-bound, every minute counts to keep it alive.
How Many Eggs Do Bearded Dragons Lay?
Bearded dragons typically lay between 8 and 30 eggs in a single clutch depending on genetics and nutrition. For example, central bearded dragons tend to lay more eggs than other species.
Similarly, captive bearded dragons fed a consistent and healthy diet are likely to lay eggs more frequently compared to their wild counterparts. Some studies suggest that wild bearded dragons can reabsorb infertile eggs to conserve resources. However, there is currently no conclusive research to support this claim.
Is Egg-Laying Painful for Bearded Dragons?
Birthing is not an enjoyable experience for most egg-laying (oviparous) creatures, including your bearded dragon. Depending on the circumstances, the situation can be quite painful for your pet. This is why it’s important to ensure that it’s properly hydrated and well-fed to lower the risks of egg-binding (dystocia).
How Often Do Bearded Dragons Lay Eggs Per Year?
Bearded dragons can lay clutches of eggs 1 to 3 times a year regardless of mating. Without mating, your beardie will lay unfertilized eggs that you can dispose of immediately.
Bearded dragons with chronic egg-laying syndrome, a condition where eggs are laid too repeatedly or in large clutches, may lay sometimes every two weeks. This problem can significantly reduce their lifespan, as the process can be physically taxing a nutrient-consuming process. Although primarily observed in birds, some bearded dragon owners have reported instances of their pets laying eggs continuously for extended periods.
A simple solution to this problem is spaying which can prevent the possibility of egg-binding or life-threatening egg-laying entirely.
Is It Possible for Bearded Dragons Not to Lay Eggs?
A bearded dragon can be infertile due to its genetics or an inadequate diet. If you notice that after sexual maturity – above 18 months – your beardie has not laid a clutch, refer to your vet for a professional and thorough evaluation. Otherwise, your beardie might be too malnourished to conceive, or simply too old to lay eggs.
