Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well after weeks of "is she - or isn't she?" Daisy laid a clutch of 9 eggs. Sadly, I'm not optimistic. The eggs were deposited near the very bottom of the nest box (a kitchen dish tub)- unfortunately the bottom was completely saturated, meaning that the eggs were for all intents and purposes, submerged for an indeterminate period of time. They were buried about 7 inches. I will treat them as fertile until they mold, shrivel, or stink. Well, first time may be a learning experience. On the up side, it is possible that Zoe is gravid. I will probably remain skeptical until she clutches as well. I hope Daisy recovers without incident. I have included some pics:

Note the substate on her head. All in all, I think she looks pretty good. She has been feeding regularly - I actually believe she ate, prior to laying.

I noticed that that light colored thing on her neck was more visible after erowen layed her eggs as well
Glad she is eating well, it was frustrating to feed Erowen (but worth it, she even opens her mouth now if I come at her with the syringe now)

and how is the Proud Grandpa (YOU) feeling about all of this?
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*

I'm thrilled to have eggs. I'll be absolutely ecstatic if after a month some of them appear to still be good. And I'll actually do cartwheels if I make it to a hatch.

Given the apparent prolific laying capacity of these animals, I'm truly surprised that they don't get more press. I hope to be able work with this species for a long time and perhaps even assist in increasing their popularity (for CB MHD's of course). They are docile, easy to care for (in the scheme of herp husbandry, I certainly consider them to have straightforward requirements)and seem to adjust well to captivity - again at least relating to my wild caughts. I suppose time will tell if my trio actually breeds under captive conditions. But the idea that it is possible that the females could still yet produce two more clutches of eggs, I find mind-blowing. For the moment, I'd rather have healthy animals over prolific egg-layers, but I suppose if we are doing our jobs as caretakers, we'll end up with more eggs nonetheless.

From previous experience, I'm mentally prepared to lose this clutch, but hoping for the best. If successful, I plan on keeping a number of holdbacks and working towards a fully captive bred line. If I get lucky with Zoe as well, potentially there will be hatchlings from 2 unrelated blood lines. That would be great. These are all grand plans considering that I have only been a MHD owner for just under 2 months.

I very much appreciate the input from the forum, and enjoy keeping up to date with everyone elses animals.

Don M.

that I started just like you with a trio of WC animals in 1999 and now I have 6.10.10 and several clutches in the box, have written an article for Reptiles Magazine, was a guest speaker at a herp symposium and had relatively little herp experience before I started, I think you could do well!

If anyone had told me 10 years ago that I would be breeding a new to captivity lizard I would have rolled on the floor laughing. Now I wouldn't give them up! I love them to death!

I hope your plans work out. With Joe and you, and maybe Ecb, we may be able to make a real difference!
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

as my signature says

this is just one more way to make this world a better and more beautiful place
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*

its just that
but they will NOT survive the "benign" neglect that some of the other more popular species can live with

I agree that the basics, are a bare minimum, thus my daughter comenting (complaining tongue in cheek) that I SPOIL my dragons

and I actually feel bad at not giving the babies as much attention as I do for Erowen.

I am planning on redoing the babies tank (with the Filter material over the drainage stones) and Coir for soil, and a bunch of redworms in the soil so they learn to DIG (I have the little superworms in a dish with a moderate amount of feed, and they move it around to find them when they cannot find Crickets)
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*

I think you are exactly right. That is the critical thing with the MHD is that you just can't neglect the cleaning and routine maintenance. They do seem to be quite susceptible to infection and ills. With good husbandry they maintain quite well.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

The eggs could very well be fine. The center one doesn't look as stained as some of the others so I would bet that you get at least one or two that make it if not all. If you got them soon enough they will probably be fine any way.

I have one gal who did eat before laying. On my caresheet there is a photo of a female eating a worm out of a crock dish. Later that morning she laid her eggs. I have had others who didn't eat for 2 weeks before laying. They're all different.

That would be great if Zoe is gravid too, but keep in mind that Daisy may not be done yet either. They can lay anywhere from 1 to 4 clutches from one mating. So, keep her in tip top condition, give her adequate calcium and vit D. I really try to spoil my girls and let them eat as much as they want this time of year because they are really working hard.

Congratulations! I'm really glad she finally laid!
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html