Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, I have a pair of Paroedura bastardi, and the female recently laid her first clutch. She positively refuses to use her lay box, and instead buries them in the sand. The first eggs I had a hard time finding, and I was about to give up when - *crack*... pressed down too hard as I was digging. My fault. Then today she laid the second of the clutch, and I honestly believe it was already cracked before I discovered it. I had reduced the amount of sand in the cage to about 1/2" so that I could find it more easily. I was very careful, and I honestly think tshe may have cracked it covering it up. What sorts of tricks do you all use to collect these sorts of tiny eggs without harming them? I've done pictus eggs and such with no problems. I hate to put the pair on paper towels, but if that's the only way I can get her to use the lay box, I will. Anybody have any tips? Thanks!
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?.?.? Leopard Geckos
1.1.2 Rhacodactylus ciliatus
2.5 Paroedura picta
1.1 Paroedura bastardi
1.1 Paroedura androyensis
1.1 Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
1.1 Cyrtodactylus irianjayensis
1.1 Gekko gecko
1.1 Pachydactylus turneri
1.1 Uroplatus henkeli
0.0.1 Hemidactylus turcicus turcicus
1.2 Teratolepis fasciata

Snakes
1.0 Blizzard Corn
1.0 Christmas corn
0.1 Blood Red Corn
1.2 Reverse Okeetee corn (1 tang)

If possible lift the enclosure and look through the bottom. You need to be really, really careful and graceful anyways so you do not rotate the eggs unintentionally (the embryo could already be anchored). Just look at the surface of the substrate and notice what has changed. Any noticeably unlevel earth is almost a dead give away. It is a good idea to put paper towell under the substrate anyways so the eggs do not stick to the bottom panel of the enclosure. Even though they are not "egg-gluers," they stick almost as well.
Ashton

Here is a method to repair cracked and quite cracked hard shelled eggs. I did not come up with this I read something Sean Mckeown wrote (I think originally for tor tortoise eggs) and have done this with picta eggs. Get a plastic bag (like a plastic grocery bag, not a sandwich bag) and cut a strip a little larger than the fracture or gap. Wipe away any fluid. If there is alot of fluid, it may be beyond repair. I have used a triple antibiotic, but vaseline or another petroleum jelly would work. Then just pretend it is glue. If the egg becomes yellow and stinks it is obviously dead. if it gets moldy and is still living, wipe it with hydrogen peroxide, and put a little more jelly where it was. I know it sounds like preparing a cut, but it works. The hatchlings that I did this for hatched out somewhat skinnier than others but, started to thrive soon after. little pieces of paper towel work also. What subspecies are yours? I have P. b. bastardi and I have been looking for ibityensis. I was removing a H. mabouia egg from an enclosure a few hours ago and I couldn't get you post out of my mind while the pea-sized egg was between my thumb and forefinger. SCARY! Ohh, the more calcium the female gets, the harder it is to break an egg.
Ashton

I tossed it right when I saw it was cracked. But that is a really helpful tip - thanks so much. Hopefully I'll have better luck with her next clutch...fingers are crossed. As far as the subspecies, I'm not sure which I have. I included a pic of them... if you know which they are, please let me know. I'm betting P. b. bastardi. They've only been in captivity a month and a half now. Would you be interested in a bloodline trade down the road? I could use some unrelated females - I hate only having one pair. Thanks and take care!

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?.?.? Leopard Geckos
1.1.2 Rhacodactylus ciliatus
2.5 Paroedura picta
1.1 Paroedura bastardi
1.1 Paroedura androyensis
1.1 Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
1.1 Cyrtodactylus irianjayensis
1.1 Gekko gecko
1.1 Pachydactylus turneri
1.1 Uroplatus henkeli
0.0.1 Hemidactylus turcicus turcicus
1.2 Teratolepis fasciata

Snakes
1.0 Blizzard Corn
1.0 Christmas corn
0.1 Blood Red Corn
1.2 Reverse Okeetee corn (1 tang)