Leopard Gecko Digging: What Does It Mean?

Is your leopard gecko digging non-stop? This can start to worry you and you should know that this could mean that something is not right in their little world. To learn more about this Leo activity, read on.

Why do they dig?

Digging is a natural instinct of these animals. Leopard geckos digging is a normal part of their lives in the wild. Its front claws are actually designed for such purposes. They do this for various reasons: to get out of the sun, to hide from predators, or to find food. If your substrate is deep enough, it’s 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 biggest 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 temperature. However, the best solution is to get a properly 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 low 80s or mid 70s should be maintained in any lizard habitat. Check your temperature and make sure you have two distinct areas. Getting an accurate thermometer is crucial and well 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 light during the day. To somewhat duplicate their natural habitats, many keepers employ hideouts. These can be made from simple plastic containers with holes cut into them for the gecko to enter. You’ll also want some boxes of moist skin in case your lizard has trouble shedding.

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 coarse or too coarse. Also, some keepers suggest staying away from 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 their digestive systems start to become clogged or even damaged by the coarse sand. This can be a dangerous situation for your lizards, so make sure you have the right kind of litter, or use alternatives like newspaper, gravel, paper towels, or even the bare bottom of the tank.

unexplained excavation

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