Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live in Arizona and I found a Male Side-Blotched Lizard. He is very tame, and doesnt mind being pet. (He is more tame then lizards from pet stores!) Anyways, I went out and caught a mate for him. She is the total opposite. She cant stand being touched and sometimes tries to escape.
Point of my Question:
Just an hour ago, Skittles (the female) laid 4 eggs. I had newspaper at the bottom of the cage. 2 of the eggs have some stuff that leaked out of them. I've been looking at all kinds of websites trying to find information on how to care for these eggs.
I figure that in the wild they bury their eggs in the sand.
So I got some dirt from outside and poured it over the eggs.
I put a heating pad under the tank and have it on Medium.
I also have a 75 watt heating bulb above them.
I'm wondering HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF THESE EGGS?
I haven't touched them. I know not too. But do they need constant heat? And how much? I dont want to leave the heating pad and bulb on 24/7. I think thats kind of dangerous.
Is it okay to turn them off at night?
I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO, PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!
mudvaynegirl3@msn.com
~Jessica

Hi, side blotchys are cute little lizards. I have never owned one, but I do have and breed some deserty lizards.

First if a couple of the eggs are leaking their liquid then they have been damaged some how and will not be good.

If you were going to attemp to incubate, I would say you would have to have them in about 3 inches of vermiculite/ perlite in a deli cup or small plastic sandwich container.

The substrate needs to be a bit damp , not dripy, and the eggs would be placed in the damp substrate, in the same position you found them in. They can not be moved around.

You would have to incubate them at about 83 - 84 degrees, constant. For probably atleast 50 something days (thats going by my collared lizard eggs)

It sounds to me like when you found them some were leaking, and then you covered dry dirt on top... so on, you MAY not have any luck, especally if you were not heating round the clock.

I hope they can be salvaged, let us know how ya do !
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PHEve / Eve

Thanks for all the help. But I dont think the eggs are going to make it. I didnt know about keeping them in moist soil, or keeping them constantly heated. Well, at least I know this now so if this situation ever happens again. Or happens to someone else, I will know what to do.

Thanks again.

~Jessica