Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. Unexpectantanly, my female had eggs after only 2 weeks from mating. I noticed her digging a lot and when I checked later in the day, the eggs were totally buried at the bottom of the humidity box. I was wondering what your advice was for the best way to move the eggs into the container for the incubator? The eggs seem SO SOFT, I'm afraid to touch them! But I may just be overly cautious. Any pointers? Also, while I was digging searching for the eggs, I think I might have turned one or something. I wasn't expecting the eggs so soon let alone buried so deep within the humidity box (they were pretty much laying at the very bottom with all the peat moss on top of them). I know turning an egg can kill it, but is there a better way to search for the eggs without having to use my hands (I'm just overly cautious and worried I might hurt them) Any tips would be helpful!
Thanks!

You could use a plastic spoon or something. Not sure. Just go ahead and use your fingers. The eggs will be just fine. Just be careful and gentle.

When you say the eggs felt really soft, did you make sure your gecko got enough calcium? Females who are laying needs lots of calcium and it aides in egg production and it doesn't make the egg shells really soft. They'll be more firm.
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Shayna
www.LeoLoversLizardLounge.com

Hi

Just a thought, but since the eggs were buried all the way to the bottom of the lay container and then covered with the moss, would that damp moss ontop of the eggs have kept them from firming up?, plus, being at the bottom and covered with that moss wouldn't allow any air to get to them to help dry and firm them up. Just my opinion.

Take Care, TLB

I haven't checked them today yet (they were layed yesterday), but they seemed really soft like I said. I'm sure the female had sufficient calcium. I dusted all of the food and had a container for her with just a pile of calcium for her to lick.

So you think the way they were buried could have been a problem? How would I avoid that in the future?

Sometimes when my females lay a first clutch they could be soft and they'll go bad in a few days. Meaning they were infertile. And sometimes they'll be somewhat firm and still go bad. I've notcied with mine...when they are all nice and firm and look good, they'll always be fertile.

Every now and then I'll have some good looking eggs that look like they are fertile, but when you cut them open, they are nothing but duds.
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Shayna
www.LeoLoversLizardLounge.com

All my females bury their eggs at the bottom of their laying boxes, and when I find them and dig them out, they are always nice and firm.

Every now and then I will have a female who likes to lay her eggs on the outside of her laying box. If it get to them in time, they will be just fine, but if I dont, they'll colapse and shrivel up.

But all of mine are always firm. I always know when they are about to lay. I keep track of everything. When the eggs are laid, hatched, due...etc...etc... Plus my females will start digging a few days before they lay.

There probably wasn't enough calcium getting to the eggs if the shells are very soft.

Shayna
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Shayna
www.LeoLoversLizardLounge.com

The female is about 2 1/2 years old and this was her very first clutch. Since it is her first clutch, it probably will be infertile, right? But if she does have a second clutch are my chances of her having fertile eggs better or the same? (Does it take a whole season before fertile eggs will start being produced?)

Besides dusting and a dish with calcium, is there any other way to ensure she is getting the sufficient amount of calcium to lay good eggs?