Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
On my morning check I saw one egg from my Chinese alligators on the heating plate. Not in the nesting box, that I prepared for her. No more eggs in the water or in the box. She is still big, so I recon there are many more.
Why one egg and not the intire clutch? Anyone with any experience that could help.
I added more substrate in the box and gave it more heat. I think that she maybe finds the box too cold since she uses the heating plate.
The egg is on the small side, after what I have been reading. 58 x 32 mm and 37g There is a darker like pink spot in the middle of the egg, so I really hope, that there will be a band soon.
Main concern is what about the rest of the eggs. I think I will have some sleeples nights ahead

Best wishes
Søe

After the initial panic last morning, I had to consider what to do. Both my wife and I should go to work and the only other person, that they accept, was unavailable. After many thoughts, I shut down for the heating place, so the only hot place was in the nesting area. Water temperature was 24*C.
8 hours later I found 3 eggs in the water. I carefully removed them and cleaned this slimy stuff off before placing them in the incubator. So from midnight and untill now I have been checking every hour, but no more eggs. I tried to remove some of the water, but the female panicked. I think she is more than stressed enough, so I stopped.
Still very fat so I recon there are many more. Crossing my fingers.

Søe

Everytime I've seen one egg clutches, it means the Female in question didn't recognize the substrate as sutiable nesting material. This is really prevalent with all the big Lizards/Crocodilians. I don't know what to tell ya' in this situation, but you only get a few shots at getting it right before the Female has reproductive issues.

Good luck with the eggs, keep us posted! Maybe you could try putting a heat lamp over the nesting box, my Osteo builds her nest under a heat lamp every year

Hi
The eggs haven`t made a band, so I believe they are infertile. No more eggs have been laid, but the female has started to eat a lot again and looks healthy. I have had many conserns about eggbinding. 4 eggs is very very few to such a big female, but at least she did lay them. Next year I will make a much larger nesting place and then it will be time to hope again
Best wishes
Søe