Leopard gecko digging: what does it mean?

Is your leopard gecko digging nonstop? This can start to bother you and you should know that this may mean that something is not right in your little world. To learn more about this Leo activity, read on.

Why do they dig?

Digging is a natural instinct for these animals. Digging for leopard geckos is a normal part of their lives in the wild. Its front claws are designed for such purposes. They do it for several reasons: to get away from the sun, to hide from predators or to search for food. If your substrate is deep enough, it is not uncommon to find your lizard digging paths under the ground. However, most substrate depths will not allow this. If the digging continues, try to get to the reason behind it.

The tank is too hot

This is one of the main reasons behind digging. If the tank is too hot, they will try to escape the heat in some way. The quickest solution is to lower the heat. However, the best solution is to get a suitably sized tank that can have two temperature zones. Leos are happy in temperatures around 90 degrees, but sometimes they need cooler temperatures to cool their bodies. An area that remains in the 80s or mid-70s should be kept in any lizard habitat. Check your temperature and make sure you have two distinct areas. Getting an accurate thermometer is crucial and worth the investment if you want to keep your lizards happy.

Lack of hiding places

This is another reason behind constant digging. Your leos are nocturnal and prefer to stay out of the light during the day. To duplicate their natural habitats a bit, many keepers use hiding places. These can be built from simple plastic containers with holes for the lizard to get inside. You’ll also want some boxes of moist skin in case your lizard is having trouble moving in.

Sand problems

Sometimes your lizards can get irritated by the sand you use as a substrate. This can cause them to do unpredictable things. Make sure your sand isn’t too rough or too coarse. Also, some keepers suggest staying away from the sand, as there are many alternative substrate materials. Although sand is easy to clean and use, it causes many problems, including sand ingestion and sand impaction. This occurs when the lizard eats too much sand and its digestive systems start to get clogged or even damaged by rough sand. This can be a dangerous situation for your lizards, so make sure you have the right type of litter or use alternatives such as newspaper, gravel, paper towels, or even the bare bottom of the tank.

Unexplained excavation

If you continue digging, you may need to check other areas of your lizard’s lifestyle. Check off anything that may be causing stress and may lead to unpredictable behavior. However, if your lizard is on a healthy diet and it is normal the rest of the time, you may need to give it some time to adjust.