Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I am trying to find out how to tell if a BD is carrying eggs. Would you still see them digging around for a place to lay as they would if they were fertile and what would be the earliest age they could produce eggs?
I would imagine that they would produce them from breeding age. Would they produce eggs every breeding season even without being introduced to a male? I have seen pics of gravid females but would like to know of a way of identifying an egg layden female earlier (can you feel the eggs etc).
Cant really find a lot of info on this but if you have any links they would be greatly accepted.
Thanks,
-----
AndyD

0.0.1 Mexican Kingsnake
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon (Hypo-Green)
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon (Red Phase)
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon (Hypo Red X Purple Tiger)
1.0.0 Egyptian Uromastyx
0.0.1 Frilled Dragon

You can't have any pudding if you don't eat your meat!!

Yes, the females will scratch, and dig around just as if they were fertile. Fertile eggs are quite easy to feel, but infertiles can be softer, and harder to feel, but it can be done. I basically go by actions mostly.. When i see, or hear the girls digging, and scratching, and they go off food I know to put them into the laying bin.

The youngest female I've ever heard of laying eggs was one of Jen from Kakadu Dragons babies.. The dragon was just about 6 months old, and laid infertiles.. 6 months is not the norm, usually right around 12-24 months for first clutches. Not all females will lay infertiles every season, but some will like clock work. Escpecially if they are around males, or other cycling females... I have a female who i just keep as a pet so I don't give her to much of a brumation/cool down.. She has at times skipped seasons all together, and others she will lay 1 or 2 infertile clutches.

Our draco had her first batch of eggs at the beginning of her 2nd year. She's had batches every year since. We don't do anything to promote brumation- she goes with her cycle and insist it on her own. As for knowing- ours will get very plump- it's different than a food belly plump- and she'll stop eating & the digging begins.

The very first time it happened- we just thought she was putting on alot of weight- once she lays the eggs- she's back to her normal looking self (not so fat)

Thanks for the replies.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

(pic is my 18 month old female!!)

-----
AndyD

0.0.1 Mexican Kingsnake
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon (Hypo-Green)
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon (Red Phase)
0.1.0 Bearded Dragon (Hypo Red X Purple Tiger)
1.0.0 Egyptian Uromastyx
0.0.1 Frilled Dragon

You can't have any pudding if you don't eat your meat!!