Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone

Does anyone know how long a r. auriculatus can retain sperm for? I bought an adult female in mid-September 2003, since then she has been housed on her own until my male is ready. When handling her yestereday I noticed it felt like she may have eggs. On the off chance I put a nest box and some extra substrate in her viv. I got up this morning to find two healthy looking eggs buried under the nest box.

All the literature I have read says that if the eggs are infertile the female will drop them anywhere in the viv. Only if they are fertile will she take the trouble to lay them in a safe place and bury them.

Can anyone shed any light on this. Either way I am pleased, as it shows she is able to pass eggs without any problems.

Many thanks.

Below is a photo of the eggs (the second egg is under the substrate but you can just see it at the top of the visible egg).

I don't know how long they can retain sperm, but it would not surprise me if those eggs are good. I would incubate the eggs and just see what happens. If they're no good, you'll find out soon enough. If you really want to know if they're good, wait about a week and then candle them. If they glow yellow, they probably aren't good, but I would keep incubating them until they start to decay. If they glow pink, that means they're fertile.

>>Hi everyone
>>
>>Does anyone know how long a r. auriculatus can retain sperm for? I bought an adult female in mid-September 2003, since then she has been housed on her own until my male is ready. When handling her yestereday I noticed it felt like she may have eggs. On the off chance I put a nest box and some extra substrate in her viv. I got up this morning to find two healthy looking eggs buried under the nest box.
>>
>>All the literature I have read says that if the eggs are infertile the female will drop them anywhere in the viv. Only if they are fertile will she take the trouble to lay them in a safe place and bury them.
>>
>>Can anyone shed any light on this. Either way I am pleased, as it shows she is able to pass eggs without any problems.
>>
>>Many thanks.
>>
>>Below is a photo of the eggs (the second egg is under the substrate but you can just see it at the top of the visible egg).
>>
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Anthony Caponetto
www.ACreptiles.com

Thank you for the reply, Anthony. I am treating them as fertile so I'll have to wait and see if they are viable. Will keep you posted.....

From many eggs collected and hatched from R. ciliatus, R. auriculatus, and R. sarasinorum most eggs are visibly noticed as fertile or infertile. Many may disagree, but when fertile eggs are laid, usually 90% of the time a chalky white and somewhat well calcified layer of shell is fertile. Some infertile eggs can be almost replicas of fertile eggs, but these usually show blimishes of yellow, wet looking, more elongated(tic-tac shaped. Obviously, infertile eggs can be noted as very thin looking eggs, not chalk white in coloration, look rubbery, grey, and have discoloration. As Anthony stated, you will soon be able to tell. Mold will grow and the yellow color will enhance in time. However, more to the time of hatching fertile eggs to transform into a balloning egg around hatching time with places that may look transparent and off white.
As far as where the eggs are laid, I have had females burry their infertile eggs more carefully than fertile ones. I have some female cresteds who will decide to lay on paper towel or even the water bowel. Their laying boxes can even be kept under idealistic conditions. Then again some female lay the infertile ones bairly under the substrate. The majority always lay in the nest boxes, but the condition and specialized selection of a females egg laying habits is variable.
Geckos By Brad

Thank you for your reply Brad.

I understand what you mean. The eggs do look nice and white, therefore appear viable. My main point was that she hasn't been with a male for at least five months. From what both you and Anthony have said, I shall carry on treating them as fertile and just wait and see what happens. I will candle them in a week or so.

I have had r. ciliatus lay fertile eggs, three months after the male was removed. All the eggs went on to produce healthy babies. However, eggs laid after the three months were infertile. I could see soon after laying as they were discoloured and not calcified.

This is my first season having a go at breeding auriculatus. Whatever the outcome of these eggs, my male is ready now so hopefully I will have some youngsters this season.

Again thanks for your help...

I agree with Brad about the looks of the eggs and that one does tend to look good. Typically, sperm retention is on the order of 100 days but a lot of species retain viable sperm for a year (or more!). I'm not sure enough research has been done with auriculatus to be sure. But, do as Anthony suggested, candle them. You will also want to tell us if they hatch and calculate the exact number of days she was without a male (if you can) so we can use this info as a guideline for sperm retention.

Regards,
John