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She's digging. Which means in two weeks or less, she'll be laying eggs. Since my intent was not to breed at this time, there was no preparation.

Somewhere I saw pictures of a someones homemade enclosure that was put in for the female to lay eggs in. I remember a tuperware container, but no other details. Any help and advice on setting something up would be greatly appreciated.

I also need to find a local outlet for an incubator.

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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

Here is a nest box I have used. And if you can build your own incubator its usually better and costs less then buying one.
I used a kitchen cabinet,insulation and a thermostat to control a 65watt light bulb for heat. Hatched several Varanid eggs in that last year succesfully and they take alot longer to incubate then Uro's.
Good luck,
Robert

Thanks, and for the inside substrate? Moisture?

>>Here is a nest box I have used. And if you can build your own incubator its usually better and costs less then buying one.
>>I used a kitchen cabinet,insulation and a thermostat to control a 65watt light bulb for heat. Hatched several Varanid eggs in that last year succesfully and they take alot longer to incubate then Uro's.
>>Good luck,
>>Robert
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

Sand/soil mix slightly damp and around 84-86 deg. But dont use a heat panel underneath. Place it near a heat source(basking light) for the right temps.
Good Luck

I did, indeed, misinterperate (sp?) your post. I thought you were concerned about incubation issues. Last year, we discovered one of our female ornates egg bound and looking for a nest site. We discovered this at the last minute and took a Tupperware container (just like the one Jurassic posted) bored out a 3" wide hole and filled it half way with a mixture of peat & sphagnum moss (moistened liberally). Within 12 hours, she was laying her eggs! We used a Hovabater to incubate the eggs.
Dan and Loraine

I may have misinterpreted your post, 'cause I can't imagine an upcoming clutch of Ornate eggs being something to be sad about.
For what it's worth, it only takes some vermiculite and a couple days stabilizing a Hovabator to be in the incubating business. Not that it's all that simple. I'm just saying that if you're able to forecast a clutch a couple weeks ahead of time, you're in good stead. No?

>>I may have misinterpreted your post, 'cause I can't imagine an upcoming clutch of Ornate eggs being something to be sad about.
>>For what it's worth, it only takes some vermiculite and a couple days stabilizing a Hovabator to be in the incubating business. Not that it's all that simple. I'm just saying that if you're able to forecast a clutch a couple weeks ahead of time, you're in good stead. No?

That's just it. I'm anticipating a clutch, but didn't want to breed this year. However, as it looks like she'll be laying pretty soon, I'm going to give it my best shot. Done just about everything else with uros, why not breed? Actually, I intended to, just not this soon.
I figure I've got minimal number of days to figure it out, so that's why the "hurried" post. I hope to haver something set up within a day or two from now.
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

So, I made a nesting box (will take a picture soon) and though it's a bit bigger than I thought it was going to be, as soon as she ventured inside, she started digging around. Infact, she's been in there moving things around all morning!
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

Think you'll be fine! I was amazed last year how quickly one of our Ornate females accepted a nesting box at the last minute, licking it thoroughly for a few rounds & then crawling right in for a clutch of 17. Best of wishes, Jimbo!

So the hovabator is coming from LLL and shopping for a box at the store proved to be very misleading. After getting what I was sure was a containor that was way too small, I find that it's either just fine or too big. However, once I placed her in view of the opening, she went in and has been in there most of the last two days now, except to come out and warm up.

Here she is with the now normal soil coating upon coming out to bask:

The box in the cage:

and her work after the first hour or two:

She's spending lots of time in there, I only hope the incubator shows up before she drops her, eh, load.
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

Man, what a nice looking set-up, Jimbo. Me thinks your mama will take care of what she knows she needs to do. I just hope the Hovabator preceeds her decision!! If not, is there someone out there who can advise a "quickie" incubator until it arrives?