Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just went in our sunroom to turn off the lights for the night and I found Ginger laying eggs in her cage! Even though last spring I tried to house her and Fred together, I don't think they mated. Is there anything I should do for Ginger right now? And, just in case, how do I tell if the eggs are good or not? Any advice will greatly be appreciated!

Thanks,
John

Congrats on the eggs! Even if you're not sure if they are fertile or not set them up in an incubator. If they are not you will know in a short time. If they are, lucky you!!

You should supplement Ginger with some extra calcium now since her reserves are probably depleted from shelling the eggs. Did you notice an appetite decrease over the last several weeks? She may be ravenous now so feed her lots of good foods.

Hi,
Thanks! Boy she really caught me off guard! And you're right for about the last week, now that I think of it, she has only taken a nibble or two of only her most favorite treats. I had nothing set up last night as far as an incubator is concerned, so I left her heat lamps on all night. She seemed to like where she was with them and I didn't want to disturb her. She ended up laying five eggs in all. I have a 10gal. aquarium I am converting into an incubator this morning. I really didn't think she was old enough to lay eggs yet. I was thinking next fall at the earliest. Have you known cyclura to lay this late in the year? Don't they usually lay around the beginning of September? Any further words of wisdom, please let me know. Thanks again!
Sincerely,
John

Good luck with the incubator. When you get the chance you can pick up an inexpensive Hovabator for about $35, maybe have it on hand for next time.

In my experience with my Cyclura, which are kept indoors, their egglaying season has always been late. MiMi was gravid and laid eggs in November of last year and is laying eggs right now. My Cuban female laid her first clutch at 2 years of age and it was in late August. Bubbles was xrayed and was carrying eggs in early August but she reabsorbed. So, mine are laying when most Cyclura eggs should be hatching. I've had Green Iguanas lay at all times during the year...June, August, January, March.

A week of diminished appetite is not bad. She probably didn't lose any considerable weight and that should make recovery much easier. Five eggs is a good first clutch, same as my Cubans. I'm still amazed at how HUGE the eggs are. Poor girls.

You know I was totally amazed to see those things come out of her! It makes you wonder how they have room inside, and to think they can have more than that is just astonishing! Ginger is doing very well now. She's eating like a pig.

The eggs are in a constant 85 degrees. But what is the ideal humidity for them? How soon do you think that I'll be able to tell if they are good or not, and what should look for? I kinda feel like I'm holding a lottery ticket now waiting for the big numbers! I know I don't have much of a chance with this clutch but you still hope that just maybe one is good. That would be a great accomplishment.

I went to ask about those incubators at the pet shops around here and the one exotic shop I could find, and they don't carry them. Is there an online place you recommend? I was thinking if nothing else I might try some kind of farmers supply store.

Good eggs are round and turgid with no creases or folds. Some times a good egg will get a fold in it if it is dry and once rehydrated, it will fill out round. Humidity should be close to 100 percent. When you go to pick them up they keep their shape. Bad eggs are either soft and flabby or hard deformed slugs. There have been cases of cyclura that have been without a mate for over a year, and have produced some fertile eggs the following season. Good unfertile eggs will show no signs of veins or development. Good fertile eggs will soak up moisture and grow. Eggs need to be kept in a moist medium at 86 degrees and take 75-95 days to hatch. Good luck.