Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone ever had an egg that was glued to something actually hatch? Reason I ask is I've got one that for all practical purposes looks completely fertile, has been incubating 2 weeks now, and still looks perfect. It isnt supposed to be possible...

First hand experience anyone?

http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/normal_DSCN0859.JPG
http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/normal_DSCN0860.JPG
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www.wildeyereptiles.com

Chameleons, geckos & invertebrates

is it hard-shelled? one of my female pietschmanni laid a single pair of infertile eggs this summer that at first glance looked as though they could have been fertile, but when i touched them they were obviously soft and squishy, and they were glued to a leaf. the weirdest thing is that i left one in the tank overnight, and the next morning it was absolutely nowhere to be found. the only thing i could think of was that one of them ate the infertile egg?? i still dont want to believe it, but have no clue how it could have otherwise disappeared.

I am aware of what an infertile egg looks like, yes it is hard shelled.
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www.wildeyereptiles.com

Chameleons, geckos & invertebrates

thats really odd! i would imagine that it would be difficult to work with that egg though for the fact its stuck on the glass like that. if you try to remove it, it seems as though it will likely crack and kill the embryo. if you dont remove it, it would possibly be stuck in conditions too dry for the embryo to survive. but thenagain, i think its tokays that often glue pairs of eggs on walls and such, so im sure theres a chance you might still get one out of there. im interested to see how this turns out!

It would be impossible to remove it. What I have done is put a little deli cup around with some moist substrate (now that I think about it, I'll probably change it to vermiculite)in it, so nothing touches it, it cant be broken by the adults or ruined by a feeder, and taped the contraption to the wall. I took a pic last night, I'll try to post it.

I really dont expect it to be any good, but most of them start to rot after a week or two when they are infertile, and this one looks great still. Perplexing.
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www.wildeyereptiles.com

Chameleons, geckos & invertebrates

wow, simple, yet ingenious idea!

I have witnessed my female henkeli consume an infertile egg... I don't think it’s all that uncommon... It's likely that this happened in your case as a cricket/group of crickets could not consume two infertile eggs in one night... It’s makes sense from a evolutionary standpoint that this behavior would arise... It occurs in many other animals as well; however it is most prevalent in the lower the lower taxa...
On a side note... Leah; Sorry I couldn't be more help... I'll e-mail a couple people and see if they have ever seen this... I have NEVER heard of "glued" Uroplatus eggs hatching, but I am certainly learning as I go as well!...
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Ben

Thanks Ben, keep me posted.

I know this is supposed to be one of the most obvious signs of an infertile, and hey, it could be! - but its got me with eyebrows crossed.
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www.wildeyereptiles.com

Chameleons, geckos & invertebrates

Im of no assistance in the egg conundrum, but I was wondering...Leah, you've taken some great pix, do you have any of yourself w/ "eyebrows crossed"? ;>

I think a crossed eyebrows pic would live in infamy, so I must decline.

Heres a pic of the egg in incubation instead.

http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/DSCN1006.JPG

And one of the girls napping
http://www.wildeyereptiles.com/cpg132/albums/userpics/DSCN1009.JPG
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www.wildeyereptiles.com

Chameleons, geckos & invertebrates

I would guess this egg is infertile. There's variation in how
well formed infertiles are. Eggs that look deformed or are "goopy"
are sometimes eaten by the female. Waste not want not...

Good eggs are usually rolled in substrate and left in a slight depression
or hidden under moss or leaves.

Neil