Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,
I have a leopard geckos egg that collapsed earlier today. It's is about 1/2-3/4 it's size before and looks almost like a prune. I can see the stripes of the gecko inside along one side of the egg and can see the shape of the head. It doesn't appear to be moving. They have been incubating at anywhere from 79-82.5, but usually right around 81 degrees. I was wondering if this is normal part of the hatching process? The books I've read say that the eggs will collapse, but no estimate of time is given from collapse to actually breaking out of the egg. I don't know if I should cut it open or wait and see. The other egg is still full size and round and firm. I just don't know how long the whole hatching process takes. Thanks for any responses,

Brian

The egg couldn't collapse unless there is a slit in the egg for the liquid to fall out of and the baby to come out of. Sometimes they will get tired and go back in to rest or even sleep. One of my eggs in the cooker had a little head sticking out and the baby was sleeping,lol. I tapped the egg and we woke up and wormed his way out al little after.

Try and see if there is a slit and tap the egg and look very carefully for movement. If you think it moving, leave it. If not, I would open the slit if I found it. Other people would just leave it, but I think sometimes these guys just need some help.

60 days is about exact with my eggs at 82 degrees. Always only about 2 days off.

Tell us what happens, Hope I helped.

the egg doesnt need to have a slit in it to collapse, i've had perfectly rounded fertile eggs completely collapse in one day with not one slit, i'd leave the egg alone, if the baby doesnt hatch and you are sure its dead od having trouble then you can cut it open but..i know people who have have eggs hatch after 100 days...so...be patient

We unfortunatly lost the first baby. She slit the egg and never did anything after that. However, her sister hatched today and is so far doing good. Thank You everyone who replied.

Brian