Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a clutch of crested eggs that were laid about 9 weeks ago that still haven't hatched yet. The eggs are smaller than the clutch laid a month after them (and it's this female's first time laying eggs.) so I thought the eggs might not be fertile even though they went full term without caving in.

My question is the eggs now look a little darker like there may be a baby inside. Should I try to open the eggs now at 9 weeks or do I give them more time?

imo I would wait a bit............ i have been waiting on this large egg to hatch for 4 days between last night and today 3 smaller eggs hatched before the big one did finally i will try to post some new hatchling pics just try to be patient with them

I agree. It is best to let nature do its thing. I have never opened an egg and have heard so many bad stories about people who have. 9 weeks is still in the range for crested eggs. I have had some hatch as early as 45 days and as late as 105. The norm for me is about 70 days. I would wait it out until you see very moldy eggs. However, I don't think it will come to that.
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15.25.30 Cresteds

www.geckoclutch.com

agreed. 63 days is WAY to early to be worrying, my norm around this time of year is about 80-95 days. my shortest incubation period was 48 days last summer. it would be a very very bad thing to open an egg due to impatience, you would most likely end up killing the baby before it was fully developed.
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3.1 snakes, 3.3 crested geckos, 0.0.1 gargoyle gecko, 2.0 devon rex cats, 1.0 betta

Ive hatched out somewheres around 400 cresteds so far .The thing ive learned is crested gecko eggs have been hatching without our help for many many thousands of years. Take the eggs place them in their incubation material using whatever method you decide on .(I personally use a very casual method of vermiculite and keep it just barely damp NOT wet,If I squeeze it a little water will come out). Then let them incubate.
Dont roll , dont handle, dont wash, dont candle, dont weigh , unless your doing a scientific experiment .As long as the egg stays white chances are 98% they will hatch. If they turn yellow and slimy chances plunge to maybe 10%.But leave them alone until they collapse .I have seen where people handle them and cause some color changes .
In as little as 60 days and as long as 120 days they hatch!How quickly depends a great deal on incubation temps. If I use a incubator (I only do in winter months due to old fashioned heating) they hatch at 60 days like clockwork.If If I let room temps it goes from 60-100 days but the ones who incubate longer tend to be larger and thats not a bad thing.
You are on the home stretch ..leave the eggs be..if you open it now the likelyhood is youll see a pitiful not fully formed salamander looking creature who will die a slow misrable death.

Slizards