Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My cat gecko just laid a single egg, last Sunday. This wouldn't be an unusual event this time of year, but she hasn't been in with the male since last August (he died in December). She had eggs with him last year, for reference. I was sort of assuming that this egg wouldn't be fertile, but it still looks very good despite the fact that she originally laid it in the water dish.

How long does it usually take an egg to degrade if it's not
fertile?

Do geckos usually pull this kind of stuff?

Also, as a side note, since I don't want my cat gecko to be an old maid, and since I don't feel up to acclimating a new male, I'm going to be sending her to a very experienced breeder in exchange for some CB babies. But I'll still feel happy to answer cat gecko questions that new owners have, although I think some of them are already more on the ball than I am.
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Eryx - All the fun of a boa in a convenient pocket size!

I am assuming A. felinus eggs are soft shelled (I do not work with the species). Infertile soft shelled eggs generally go bad fairly quickly and it is evident when they are "dead" (usually takes 1-2 weeks). The shell will probably become moldy or more transparent showing through to a brown, green, or orange/yellow interior. It is very possible that the egg is fertile. On numerous occasions I have had other species of gecko (however, they are non-Eublepharids) lay viable eggs close to a year after last being bred (I guess they weren't ready to retire). The only thing is...when a gecko usually drops the egg anywhere it is usually not fertile. For instance a gecko that buries it eggs will often lay infertile eggs on the top of the substrate or on a random object. Infertile eggs will not have the amount of pressure throughout the egg and the shell will be malformed. The best thing would be to incubate it in the best way for the species and after five days to a week I would candle it with a low powered flashlight to see whether it is turning pink and getting veiny, or showing the signs of rotting/infertility. I would give it a chance. It is a bit hard to say whether it is fertile or not. Check with the breeder you know about sperm retention in A. felinus, he could probably give the situation a better diagnosis.
Good Luck,
Ashton

Funny thing about Aeluro eggs, they '''incubate''' best at 75 degrees. I hope it's COLD enough.
The shell appeared uneven upon laying, so that's a strike against it. I don't know if they bury their eggs or not, the last clutch were also dropped on the surface. I think they are soft shelled though. It still looks decent, I'll try to candle it soon.
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Eryx - All the fun of a boa in a convenient pocket size!