Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When I went to check on my phants this morning, I was surprised to find that Samael (the female) is on the ground, buried up to her neck in substrate. Her head is the only thing visible (she's right next to the pothos plant in her tank). Boy, did that ever catch me offguard this morning. I have never seen her do this before. Nothing in the tank itself has changed, temperature and humidity have remained constant. The only thing that was different was a huge thunderstorm that hit my area and hung around until the wee hours of the morning.
My main question is: What the heck is she doing?
I'll try to post up a pic as soon as the batteries for my digi cam recharge.

Thank for you help guys.
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1.1 Mali Uromastyx (Ra and Isis)
1.1 Satanic Leaftail Geckos (Diablo and Samael)

Everything except her head is hidden beneath the substrate (it looks cozy). She's facing the pothos plant. What is she doing?

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1.1 Mali Uromastyx (Ra and Isis)
1.1 Satanic Leaftail Geckos (Diablo and Samael)

LOL.. Perhaps it's laying eggs there.

find some eggs shortly ! Hope ya do and they are GOOD !
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PHEve/ Eve

Contact PHEve

I'm afraid the egg count is still zip. I checked out the area after she moved to a more camouflaged spot in the pothos plant (she moved on her own, I didn't disturb her) and found nothing. Maybe she was soaking up extra moisture in preparation for a shed? Or, could she possibly be testing the substrate for a potential egg-laying site? Man, these satanics certainly are strange little lizards. At least they keep me on my toes.

Thanks for the help guys, I'll keep you posted if there is any more "ground" activity from her.
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1.1 Mali Uromastyx (Ra and Isis)
1.1 Satanic Leaftail Geckos (Diablo and Samael)

My female Mossy...everytime she sheds, I have found her EXACTLY like your phant.

Mine female is just moistening up her body to make the shed easier is my opinion. The male doesn't do this..but my female always does.
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Uroplatus sikorae 1.1
Uroplatus henkeli
Ball python
Hogg Island Boa Constrictor
Several species of tarantula

yep..you're lucky she's probably laying eggs
don't disturb her she's fine

make sure you checked the area pretty thoroughly. ive only had a satanic bury 1 egg in the past, but it was buried nonetheless. the eggs are really small, so check good, but remember to be gentle when digging. if still no eggs, keep a close eye on her, as you might still get some soon if she does it again.

otherwise, my only guess would be as you said, soaking before a shed. still, it's not often youll find them at the bottom of the enclosure, especially buried.

well, my female mossy does that (gets in the egg-laying position with her tail end in the ground) a couple days or so before she lays and infertile egg. ive caught her doin that three times in the past couple months. today she stuck an egg onto the screen where she rests, i grabbed it and fed it to her. she ate it right away. does your female lay infertile eggs?

Yes. She's laid 2 total. One was hidden in the substrate which I found only after I cleaned out the tank (spring cleaning). The second one I found stuck to the pothos plant stem. I put up a post about that just to make sure it was what I thought it was.
I'll see if she decides to make another visit to the ground tonight.

Thanks for all your help.
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1.1 Mali Uromastyx (Ra and Isis)
1.1 Satanic Leaftail Geckos (Diablo and Samael)

Another idea could be temps being to high, I have heard of them burrowing into the substrate to cool down, but only once. Just an idea.

Mike