Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know I shouldn't have done it, but I bought two baby bearded dragons about a year ago with the intent of EVENTUALLY breeding them. Of course, I'm a retard and housed them together, thinking they wouldn't breed until they should. Now my 13 month old (small) female is pregnant and I'm extremely worried that something bad is going to happen to her because of her size. What can I do to help ease her passing of these eggs? I'm beside myself with worry and guilt for having let this happen. I just want her to be ok. She gets calcium supplements as a regular part of her diet, so I'm hoping she has enough calcium. She has her own lay-box now with a foot of potting soil to dig around in, but she won't dig. She's extremely gravid (egg shapes are bulging out of her abdomen) and I am getting more and more worried every day. I know this is potentially dangerous (been doing research AFTER the fact, sigh) and that I screwed up, so if you could save the reaming and just help, that would be extremely appreciated. Thanks.
-Ben

Thirteen months of age is not THAT bad to be breeding a female.. I'm more concerned that you say she is small. It's always better to wait until females are older.. and obviously small/underweight females should not be bred.. my point being I wouldn't worry because she is 13 months old I would worry because she's small/underweight if that is correct.

It normally takes about three to four weeks from the time she is bred to the time she will lay her eggs. It could take longer and it could take less time especially if she's not able to fully develop the eggs. If you can visually see the eggs and feel them like semi-hard marbles inside her belly, then that's a relatively good sign that she's producing fertile eggs. Not a guarantee, but often times infertile eggs will be very soft and mushy and hard to feel.

I would separate her from the male right away and give her access to her own cage and keep her away from the male. Make sure she has good temps and stays active. Offer as much food as she will eat to gain strength and help develop the eggs.. give her extra calcium and lots of greeens like collards and mustards.. can even sprinkle extra calcium on those.

A few days to a week or so before she's going to lay the eggs she should start becoming restless and pacing and digging around the cage. At that point, the eggs should be soon on their way.

Pay close attention to her. If she is weak and/or does not have enough calcium to pass the eggs, she will become lethargic and bloated and will go downhill very fast. If she is unable to pass the eggs they can rupture inside her which will more then likely cause dire circumstances.

Obvious advice would be to take her to a reptile vet. Surgery may be needed to remove the eggs. If she cannont pass the eggs and they begin to rupture inside her, it will probably be late for even a vet to do much.

good luck,
brandon
-----
Dragons by Nature

Well, good news (I hope). She just spent the last 2 hours digging a hole and popping out eggs. She's so cute pounding her head into the dirt, packing it tightly around the eggs. She's also got STRETCH MARKS (read: a little loose skin). I couldn't believe it. But she has been eating and I have been fortifying her diet with extra calcium, and I'm hoping that some of the eggs will be fertile. I know I don't sound like the responsible parent, and I'm probably going to freeze some of the eggs (I can't handle more than 5 or 6 baby beardeds). I've got the incubator all set up (81 degrees F with 2:1 vermiculite:water) and a felt tip marker to mark the top, and responsible homes already found for most of them. Wish me luck.
-Ben

That is good news.. sounds like she is doing okay. Make sure you wash her off and give her plenty of liquids to keep her hydrated. Also make sure she continues to get pleny of rest and foods that will help her fatten up some and are high in calcium. It's very possible she'll be laying another clutch or two.. so the danger is not over.

good luck,
brandon
-----
Dragons by Nature

Well, 19 eggs and 24 hours later and my little girl looks SKINNY compared to what she was before. I'm really glad that she made it through alright. Thanks for the info.
-Ben

Me too hopefully she'll perk right back up. Just continue to offer her lots of food and keep her hydrated and offer lots of calcium. No problem, glad to help.

brandon
-----
Dragons by Nature