Reptile & Amphibian Forums

3 weeks ago, my girl laid her first clutch, 24 eggs, unknown whether it was fertilized or not. She recovered quickly and was eating and playing. 2 weeks ago she laid 4 more for 28 total. Today she laid about 15 more. How can this be? Is something wrong? I read that they can only lay 30 in a clutch. Our vet in the area doesn't know much about reptiles, so she's no help. Any help would be apreciated...

thanks!

First clutch was probably 28, but for some reason she didn't lay all, two weeks later she layed 4 more. Or maybe the second clutch (just layed) was 19 eggs, 4 that she layed early and 15 that she layed at the right time. It is possible to lay eggs after 3 weeks. Or the eggs could be infertile then i all bets are off. Where all the eggs the same size color and all that good stuff?
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Yes, all the eggs looked the same, though some were softer and had sunk a little bit. But throughout all layings they look the same. So this is normal? How can you tell whether they are fertilized or not?

fertilized eggs will generally be firm and white with no oder to them.
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Bennett
www.beardiedragon.com

I wouldn't say that the four eggs are normal. The 24 and the 15 are normal. Fertilized eggs when held up to a small flashlight will have blood vessels in them. Remeber though do not turn the egg.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Thanks. That helps a lot. I just didn't know that they could have multiple clutches that close together. I'll keep an eye on her and do the flashlight thing. Seriously, thanks

When I first started to breed before I knew of kingsnake I had a girl that I had seen been bred. It wasdn't with a male so I knew when the fertilization happened. I asked the vet how long we had. He said it took around 4 weeks. So at exactly three weeks the day before I planned to set up my incubator, thinking I have a week still, she layed eggs. What a joy. Second clutches can come from 3-8 weeks I would say.
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Derek Affonce
DeKeAff Exotics
dekeaffexotics.com

Kevin of Dragon's Den had a female that laid 68 in one clutch, if I remember correctly she laid larger than average clutches several times.