Is my bearded dragon pregnant? What are the signs and how can I tell?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Is my bearded dragon pregnant?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 3rd, 2017
Hi, Tempest could certainly be gravid (that’s the word for pregnant when referring to an egg laying animal), though a radiograph (X-ray) or ultrasound would be required to know for sure. However, if there is no male present, or if there has not been any successful copulation, these will be infertile eggs. Make sure she has a good nest box where she will feel comfortable laying them. If she hasn’t passed them within a week or two, have her evaluated by a veterinarian as retained eggs is quite common and can be life threatening.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 18th, 2018
The hormone is called arginine vasotocin. It is the reptile equivalent of oxytocin in mammals. Confirm she is indeed gravid (pregnant). This can be done via physical exam or x-rays by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Provide as large a lay box as possible. The substrate should be at least 10 inches deep and damp enough to tunnel into without collapse. Make it as secure and private as possible as well. Keep stress to a minimum and make sure she is eating and staying hydrated.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My dragon is gravid and she is 3 years old I have a feeling they are fertile because I can feel and see that they are bigger inside than when she laid infertile ones last year. She is really really big because she has a small body normally and she se
Provide a lay box or other area for her to lay. Keep her warm and as stress free as possible. If she hasn't mated, the eggs are likely infertile. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or straining to defecate or straining to lay. You may need to have her seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles depending on how long it has been.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
What is the pheromone called that stimulates you beardie to lay eggs? We made her a lay bun made of play sand and sphangum moss but she won’t do anything.
The hormone is called arginine vasotocin. It is the reptile equivalent of oxytocin in mammals. Confirm she is indeed gravid (pregnant). This can be done via physical exam or x-rays by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Provide as large a lay box as possible. The substrate should be at least 10 inches deep and damp enough to tunnel into without collapse. Make it as secure and private as possible as well. Keep stress to a minimum and make sure she is eating and staying hydrated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Recently our bearded dragons stomach has gotten very big. She seems to any okay haven't noticed any discoloration change in activity etc. Is this common for dragons or could she be ready to lay eggs? There's no male or other dragon with her in her en
Thanks for reaching out about Cobra. Females can form and lay eggs without a male, they're just non-fertile, similar to many chicken eggs. Monitor appetite and defecation. Females will often stop eating close to laying period. If concerned, a veterinary visit is needed to confirm she is gravid (with eggs). Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
If my female beardie is digging or trying to dig at a random corner or dark spot in the house when I take her out does that mean she needs to lay eggs? She has never mated. She does this with the sand in her cage as well.
She may be looking for an area to lay eggs. If she is close to laying, you can usually feel the eggs through the abdominal wall. Female beardies do not need a male in order to lay eggs. They can become gravid regardless. The only difference is she will lay infertile eggs. Provide an appropriate laybox for her. Once she is done depositing eggs, you can discard them.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
When does brumation typically start? Liz has been j her cave for two days. I am concerned, I’m not sure if its because brumation is starting or if it’s because she is getting sick from not laying her eggs yet... please help!
Thanks for reaching out about Lizzie. Brumation is triggered by a drop in temperature in the environment and shortening day length. If you have a heating element on your system, the temperature should not be dropping. Being quiet and secretive for two days is concerning, as they usually remain active up to the time they lay, not for several days prior. If she is egg bound, a veterinary visit is recommended. Calcium injections and a drug to induce egg laying (oxytocin) can be given to stimulate egg production. She could be sick for other reasons with kidney disease being common in aging bearded dragons. If she is still eating, you have a little time. If not, she needs to visit a veterinarian. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have 2 adult bearded dragons and for 3 days the female has been scratching the floor and mounding up the sand in their viv . Both of them have gone off their live food but are eating kale , rocket and grated carrot . Could this be she is getting re
Hello. It does sound like the female may be getting ready to lay. Keep a close eye on her attitude and appetite. If she hasn’t laid eggs in a few weeks and still isn’t eating normally, I’d be concerned about follicular stasis or retained eggs. These can be life threatening conditions if left untreated. make sure he female has enough substrate to dig in, as well as enough privacy to feel comfortable laying. Double check that the temperature is no cooler than 72F and has a basking temp of 95-100F. If you need any further information, feel free to request a consult. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a bearded dragon approximately 2-4 months old. It has developed a very fat belly, but still eats and poops every day. It doesn't seem to have any problem with paralysis of the limbs, front or back. I have given it soaks and gently massaged
If there is any chance the beardies are any older, I would be thinking that one could be pregnant. This usually doesn't occur until at the youngest around 10-12 months however. It is best that they don't breed until even older than this as well, so hopefully this is not the case. Other causes of distended abdomen in these lizards are gastrointestinal impactions, constipation, overeating, obesity, and certain cancers. GI Impaction seems unlikely in this scenario due to the movement of the bowels. If this is an issue with constipation, enemas can be provided though I would not recommend performing this at home unless you are very familiar with reptilian anatomy. An x-ray would really help in this case provide all the information we need. It would show us if there are any eggs, if there is constipation, any sort of tumor (probably), and many other possible issues. Hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Echo and Jupiiter both a plump and round they both live in a cage with a gentle no agrressive male (Leo). Are they pregnant? Or is it out of mating season? ( Sorry about the glare I had to lightly push them up against the glass to take the pictures.)
February to August is prime mating season for leopard geckos. A gravid (pregnant) female may become lethargic and spend more time on the warm side of the enclosure. Her midsection may begin to swell. Eggs are laid 2-5 weeks after mating. A female does not need a male to lay eggs, she will lay infertile eggs. Eggs should be visible through the thin skin. You can readily see them between her midsection and hind legs as she nears the time to lay. Neither female appears to be gravid but it may be too early to tell. It isn't mating season either but they can retain sperm for months after mating.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, I'm fairly certain that my female Leo is pregnant. She hasn't been moving as much during the day but in the evenings she has been restless and moving everything around and pushing al of my bedding against the wall. I think she may be pregnant. I
If Big Momma is pregnant, she will need a warmed hiding space with moss inside to lay her eggs. If she doesn't have a suitable space, she will try to rearrange her home until she makes one, which could be stressful for her. Geckos are commonly nocturnal, so being more tired during the day and active at night is not entirely unusual. Be sure she gets crickets every other day that are properly gut-loaded for 24 hours before offering them to her while she's pregnant. She will likely lay 1-2 eggs about 16-20 days after she mated, and she might lay more eggs every 16-20 days for 4-5 months. Good luck, and I hope Big Momma does well!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I believe my RES is carrying eggs. She's been very active, digging in her tank, very protective over certain areas of the tank, brown discharge, and trying to get out of the tank. Is she possibly gravid, or carrying eggs?
GENTLY press the soft areas near her rear legs, between the carapace and plastron. If she is gravid (pregnant), you should be able to feel a few eggs. Clutch size can range between 5 and 20 eggs. The best way is to determine if she is carrying eggs is to have her xrayed by your vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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