Why Is Your Leopard Gecko Digging? 8 Real Reasons

As a long-time reptile enthusiast, I’ve often observed my leopard geckos, known for their reputation of mostly sitting around like living statues, displaying some confusing behaviours. Among these, the most intriguing is their tendency to dig. Though they primarily sit around, witnessing them actively digging shifts the perspective entirely. It’s quite a cute sight, seeing these leos fully engaged in an activity they seem to thoroughly enjoy. This often leaves owners wondering why exactly their leopard gecko starts to dig.

From my experience and understanding, leopard gecko digging to build a Shelter, which is a natural tendency for these lizards. This behaviour is usually a result of instinct, especially in cases where they seek to keep cool. However, sometimes digging can be a sign of stress or poor husbandry. Observing my females, especially those that are gravid (pregnant), even if they haven’t mated, further solidified this observation. They often dig to create a comfortable spot for laying eggs. These context clues provide an explanation that makes sense for your leo.

In my journey of understanding these fascinating creatures, I’ve learned that it’s essential to cover everything you need to know with more detail on each reason why they might be digging. So, let’s get started.

Reasons your Leopard Gecko is digging

As an avid reptile enthusiast, I often find myself watching my leopard gecko intently. Recently, I noticed it start digging seemingly out of nowhere, which was initially worrisome. However, upon further observation, I discovered various reasons for this behaviour. During the mating season, they tend to dig more, which is a result of their pure instinct. At times, if they feel overly exposed or overly hot, digging provides them with a sense of security and comfort.

Luckily, understanding these behaviors helps in providing better care. If you’re worried about your gecko’s digging habits, it’s a better idea to go over their habitat conditions. Sometimes, a simple fix in their environment, like adjusting the temperature or adding hiding spots, can address their need to dig. So, without further ado, let’s dive deeper into the fascinating world of leopard geckos.

1. To Construct Their Shelter

In the captivating world of leopard geckos, their behavior of digging to create a den stands out as both intriguing and natural. This behaviour is not just a normal activity but a deep-rooted natural instinct. These reptiles, hailing from the deserts of Asia and the Middle East, have evolved to maneuver through hard sand and other substrates. In the wild, digging serves multiple purposes – it helps them find hiding spots, offers a secure location for a nap, and enables them to stay comfortable in their harsh, native habitats.

Observing my own leopard geckos, I’ve seen them burrow in a way that’s reminiscent of moles or snakes travelling underground. They do this to clear out space in their enclosure, making it more comfortable and suited to their liking. It’s fascinating to see them add their own spin to their environment, often choosing to dig a den under one of their hides. This behavior highlights the importance of providing a suitable substrate in their enclosure – one that’s softer and easier-to-dig.

As an owner, it’s crucial to ensure their hiding spots are optimal, with at least one on the warm side and one on the cool side of the terrarium. This not only addresses the problem of digging as a sign of stress but also caters to their instinctual need to burrow and feel hidden and enclosed.

2. Seeking Cooler Conditions

Digging in leopard geckos is often a natural response to hot temperatures. This behavior is not just specific to leopard geckos, but also observed in other reptiles and herps, like bearded dragons, and even in some mammals such as dogs. It’s a universal technique to reach cooler ground. In their native hot rocky desert habitat, where the environment can become scorchingly hot, digging serves to find cooler dirt, providing relief from the sun and creating necessary shade for these small leopard geckos.

In captivity, especially in enclosures with substrates like artificial grass or undiggable substrates, pet leos may still instinctively dig. This behavior is driven by their inherent instinct and reasoning to maintain a comfortable body temperature. Thus, ensuring the enclosure has a thermal gradient with a warm side around 80-85°F and a cool side at 75-80°F is vital. Without proper access to these temperature zones, leopard geckos might dig to regulate their body temperature.

Observing and monitoring your gecko’s environment throughout the day is the best solution to rule out any temperature issues and provide a possible explanation for their digging behavior.

3. In Search of Food

One intriguing reason behind why leopard geckos engage in digging is their instinctual quest to find food. In the wild, these adept hunters actively work to unearth insects, worms, and bugs from the soil. This behaviour persists even in captivity, where wild leopard geckos display this natural tendency. Despite being regularly fed, they might still dig in their substrate, driven by an innate instinct to hunt. Interestingly, it’s not harmful for leos to engage in this activity. In fact, digging for meals can serve as an enrichment process, stimulating their natural behaviors.

As owners, we need to ensure this doesn’t contribute to impaction, especially if they accidentally ingest the substrate. It’s important not to hide food in the substrate, but allowing them to burrow for food can be beneficial. This helps keep their instincts alive and well, making their captivity environment more enriching and closer to their natural habitat.

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4. Preparing for Egg Laying

A significant explanation for digging in female leopard geckos is their preparation for egg-laying. This behaviour becomes evident when they are gravid, meaning they are ready to lay eggs. Fascinatingly, this can still happen even if they are alone and have never been with or mated with a male leopard gecko. Female leopards, like chickens and other reptiles, can lay infertile eggs without the presence of a male. This is a natural process, although it’s rare. It’s important for owners to know that frequent and frantic digging in their enclosure could be a sign your gecko is about to lay eggs, even as early as 18 months to 24 months of age, when they reach sexual maturity.

This behaviour is driven by their reproductive instincts and can be a bit of a surprise for first-time gecko owners. Observing eggs inside the gecko or in the enclosure is a clear indicator, and careful monitoring is recommended. However, one should never flip the gecko on their back to check, as it can impede their breathing.

Observations and reports from other keepers have also highlighted that female leopard geckos tend to dig more than males, regardless of whether they are carrying eggs. This difference in behavior underscores the importance of understanding the unique needs and behaviors of female leopard geckos in captivity.

5. Checking the Tank Environment

Observing your gecko engaging in persistent digging often signals the need to check and perhaps order adjustments in their tank environment. It’s crucial to ensure the temps are good and conducive for their well-being, providing a habitat that keeps them free of stress. Regular monitoring of whether they are eating enough, drinking enough, and engaging in sufficient playtime is essential. If these aspects are corrected yet your gecko continues to dig, it might be indicative of a deeper issue, prompting a schedule for a vet visit.

Keeping a vigilant watch on your leopard gecko and noticing any changes in behaviour is key. Such changes can be subtle, so attentive care and observation play a pivotal role in ensuring their health and happiness. If after adjustments, the digging persists, consulting a veterinarian can provide further insights and address any underlying health concerns.

6. Stress and Fear

In the diverse world of leopard geckos, digging can often be a behavior stemming from stress and fear. Unlike in the wild, where they face predators and the constant need to hide for safety, in captivity, stress can arise from different sources. Excessive digging in your leo can be a sign that they are seeking a safer spot within their enclosure, an instinctive go-to option for dodging danger. This behavior is particularly notable if the enclosure is shared with other species, which can amplify their fear.

As a cautious approach, never assume that digging is solely an instinctual activity. Always be on the lookout for signs of stress, such as a loss of appetite or unusual amounts of time spent hiding. Changes in the enclosure or something different in their external environment, even outside their habitat, can introduce new stressors. It’s essential to regularly reassess the living conditions and make necessary adjustments to ensure your leopard gecko feels secure and stress-free in its home.

7. Shedding Phase

A key reason why a Leopard Gecko might start digging in their enclosure is related to the shedding process. During shedding, Leo experiences natural stress and may battle with the discomfort of shedding their skin. This is especially evident if the hides are not appropriately moist or if the substrate doesn’t support the shedding process. The act of digging can be a way to alleviate frustration and find a more comfortable spot that aids in removing old skin. Notably, if a gecko is unable to shed properly due to wrong temperature conditions, it may become uncomfortable and dig more frequently.

This could also lead to a change in colouration, turning duller or greyish-white, indicating the likely cause of their stress. It’s essential to monitor these signs as improper shedding can lead to health issues, such as loss of appetite or becoming ill. Ensuring the habitat is optimally set up for shedding is a crucial aspect of caring for a Leopard Gecko.

8. Natural Instincts and Environmental Enrichment

Understanding why leopard geckos dig delves into their instinct, need for entertainment, and prevention of boredom. This behaviour is rooted in pure instinct, with these little lizards and their ancestors engaging in this activity for millions of years. Digging in dirt is more than just a habit; it’s a deep-seated trait. However, it’s not always about survival. In the safety of their enclosure, leos may turn to digging as a form of mental stimulation and to break the monotony. Understimulated leopard geckos, especially those lacking enrichment in their environment, often dig as a way to create something to do. It’s a natural extension of their need to hunt and explore.

As caretakers, allowing them space in their enclosures to hunt, climb, and explore different areas is vital. This ensures they remain active, both physically and mentally, thus reducing strange behaviors driven by boredom. In essence, a well-designed habitat that provides various forms of enrichment is key to keeping these intriguing creatures engaged and content.

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Assessing When to Worry

Observing your leopard gecko digging can raise questions about whether to worry. Typically, digging is a natural behavior and not a huge concern. However, it’s prudent to consider the context. If you see a lot of digging, more than usual, or if this behavior starts suddenly, it might be time to double-check the basics of husbandry. Ensure the hiding spots are in the right locations, with a balance between the warm side and cold side of the enclosure, and confirm that the overall temperature is optimal. An easy way to monitor this is by using a thermometer.

While some geckos simply like to dig, others might do so due to underlying issues. If your leopard gecko is digging a lot and also not eating much, hiding too much, losing weight, or swimming against the glass, you should pay close attention to its health. If you see these signs, it’s a good idea to talk to a vet. When unsure, always err on the side of caution and consider talking to a professional for guidance and reassurance.

Final Thoughts on Leopard Gecko Digging Behaviors

In conclusion, digging in Leopard Geckos is a multifaceted behavior often rooted in natural and instinctive actions. Whether it’s due to egg binding, boredom, overheating, or excessive stress from a perceived threat, understanding the underlying reasons is key. As caretakers, it’s essential to keep an eye on when and how often your gecko digs. Not all digging is concerning, but if you notice changes or suspect it might be one of the commented-on reasons, it’s likely a good idea to visit a local exotic vet for a check-up.

Such proactive measures can eliminate concerns early and avoid future health issues. Remember, each gecko has its unique personality and needs, and understanding these nuances can help ensure a happy, healthy life for your scaly companion.

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