Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I don't know if anyone will remember me, but I was on here for a while about three years ago when we first adopted a female dragon. She's been fine doing great since then, but about a week ago she started laying eggs. She's laid five so far (one every other day, then two days in a row, then two in the past 24 hours), and has only made an effort to bury one. We didn't know she was gravid until we saw eggs (she's not handled frequently; she prefers it that way although she is hand tame enough to be carried to the vet, etc.), so we haven't been giving her any special supplementation.

Her estimated age is about 4 1/2 years, though she may have been stunted when we got her and could be older. This is the first time we've ever seen eggs from her. She seemed fine for the first few days, but yesterday and today she has not been as active or as alert as usual, although she still jumps up if we touch her. I'm going to call our vet tomorrow, but I was hoping I might get some advice from some other dragon people about what to expect as far as treatment, and perhaps find out if there is anything I can do for her tonight. She doesn't have any history of medical problems except for snout damage typical of dragons kept in too small enclosures.

I'm attaching a recent picture of her for anyone who remembers us from before . TIA for any advice!

Laura

I don't really have advice. You're doing the right thing by taking her to the vet. Every time Niner has laid eggs, she's done it all at once. It sounds like she's struggling. Please let us know what happens today and good luck!

you haven't mentioned if you have a male around? if she hasn't been mated recently she may not put to much effort into what maybe an infertile clutch. or there could be a lack of satifactory laying sights. they perfer to lay in loose moist soil 18 inches deep in a sunny location. As side note, I would still incubate the eggs even if you don't have a male, they can store sperm up to four years, although fertility deminishes considerably after the first year.