Reptile & Amphibian Forums

as some of you might know I *might* have a preg mama on my hands.. she is a tad young for breeding (it was a complete accident.. I thought we had 2 females) but it has already happened.. since then, they have been seperated etc. etc.. I have noticed lately that the past few days she has been digging in the corner just a bit.. and tonight as I'm sitting here typing, she is vigiriously digging in the sand in the corner of her tank and then she lays down next to the hole and goes to sleep.. Is this a normal behavior for a dragon to do? The reason I'm asking is because I actually saw them during the breeding, its only been about 2-1/2 weeks since I saw them, but they might have been doing it before that day. She has definately got bigger, but its almost like her belly is bloated or something.. like its filled with air and I dont see any egg bulges and cant feel anything when I gently rub her tummy. Any ideas here if this is normal or if she is definately preg and I should setup another tank for her to nest in? I mean right now she just kinda digs till she hits the bottom and then stops and goes to sleep. Is there any way for me to be definate that she is pregnant or should I just put her in a laying tank and see what happens? On top of this, she has *kinda* lost her appetite but she still eats pretty good when she wants to.. few crix here and there and she tears up the greens every other day or so.. most of it goes to waste.. I'm confused and scared because she wasnt physically ready for breeding but like I said it has already happened.. what should I do?!?!

I have no idea what she is doing, as I have never seen her do this before.. I took her out for a few minutes and felt around again then put her back in the cage.. she ran over to the dig site, went a little bit deeper in the *rut* she made and curled up and went to sleep.. I'm confused! Like I said before she has never done this and she has always been housed in sand.. I saw them mating, she doesnt physically look pregnant as far as eggs bulging but she is young still.. god I'm confused on what to do here.. HELP!

If she is going to sleep she is not going to lay eggs. She would be relentlessly digging if she was ready. I suggest preparing an lay bin for when she is ready. Usually they will quit eating a day or two before laying. I was unable to feel the eggs in my female unless she was in water and relaxed. When she was ready to lay I could see the egg bulges in her belly. Good luck with your female, I hope everything works out. Watch her closely, and hopefully you have a good vet nearby in case she has problems.
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1.3 Louie,Sunny,Red,Lilly and babies!

Yes there is a local 24 hour vet (never been to it, but atleast its 24 hours just incase)

I guess I'm just kinda worried because I actually saw them breed and now she is acting different..

but she is definately digging a big ol' hole and then crawling down it and sleeping soundly.. *shrug* maybe she is just getting comfterable.. like I said she is definately gaining weight, but its almost like she is bloated or something.. I dunno I already have all the ingredients for a egg laying *tank* I just havnt put them together as of yet because I wasnt sure if she was prego or not.. I guess we will see! anymore ideas!?

Good for separating for them! Have you been keeping her calcium intake up? Feed her as much as she wants, but anywhere from a week-days before she lays she wont eat at all. When is the last time she was with the male? Are you going to incubate the eggs? Go ahead and set up the laying bin, what are you using?
Since you thought you had two females, are they related? Even within 5 generations i wouldn't keep the eggs.
-Sara

I agree, if you bought them from the same breeder i would freeze and throw away the eggs, cause they are probably siblings.

If she is digging she may be looking for a nesting site, even if she isn't ready to lay she may just be looking for a place. i would give her a nest box and see what she does.

Sometimes you cannot feel the bulges, especially since she is young and this is her first clutch, i couldnt feel any eggs in my female on her first clutch.
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