Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted some pictures below, or you can use these link

http://argus.zapto.org/images/argus/16.jpg
http://argus.zapto.org/images/argus/17.jpg
http://argus.zapto.org/images/argus/19.jpg
http://argus.zapto.org/images/argus/20.jpg

I've been trying to determine gender for sometime. The monitor stop eating about 3 days ago and is digging all over the place. Still has a rather full look. If I'm correct, some advice on suitable nesting conditions would be appreciated.
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hbailey

0.0.1 argus monitor
1.1 butterfly agama (L. Reevesi)

From what I have read on this site, your lizard may need some deeper sand/dirt to burrow into to lay the eggs in.

Acording to the folks on this site, your monitor may "retain" the eggs until the are unviable if she cannot find a "proper" place to deposit them.

I would be adding a bunch of river sand/dirt in that cage right about now.

Good luck

She looks like a gravid female to me.

For nesting, a stop-gap measure can be a nest box - take a large rubbermaid tote, cut a hole in the side large enough to allow a gravid female entry, and fill it with a slightly moist nesting medium (I've used potting moss, not sphagnum, in the past).

For a longer term solution, go to a local nursery. They'll probably have a bunch of different kinds of soils, maneuers, and crushed rock out back. Test these for whatever best holds a burrow, drains well, and yet retains moisture. Get enough of that to fill your argus enclosure to a depth of 1 1/2 to 2 feet. I use dthis method and now use mason sand from the Macedon Wayside Gardens nursery, I'm not saying you should use mason sand (its physical properties undoubtedly vary from batch to batch), but use this method to find something that does work.

Good luck,

Luke

Thanks for the response. I found an example on your site and made one up. Since I put it it in she's going in digging around coming out and repeating, so hopefuly she finds this to her likeing. She's on day 4 of being "off feed", so hopefully she'll lay soon.
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hbailey

0.0.1 argus monitor
1.1 butterfly agama (L. Reevesi)