Reptile & Amphibian Forums

She's huge.

I have a mother/daughter pair that at times display alot of orange. It tends to become less prominent with age. And can be made more prominent with a high carrot diet, which is not all that good for them. Below are pictures of Metropolis at about 3 and with less orange at 7 years of age.

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My female is from Ehrig and is from one of his largest bloodlines. She was born in 2001. An amazing growth rate. I have her on a strict diet of greens, grapes(treats), and Florida sunshine!

I am jealous of the third ingredient -- Florida sunshine, much more intense than New York. Is that a Jane/Spike offspring ?

She sure is! Was born in '01 and in the 15 pound range.
Thought she was gravid this year, but isn't refusing food so, I'm hoping for next year.

I have had females lay eggs with as little as 12-1/2" SVL. If she weighs 15lbs, Chances are she gets gravid every summer, and then reabsorbs.

What's the latest time of the year you've had a female lay eggs?
Check out how fat she is in the picture, that was taken last week. But she has an appetite and I haven't noticed any digging behavior. Would apreciate any advice.

Normally it's done by first week of September, but this year has spanned from early to late. The one in this picture will be my latest on record - any day now. I think Jiffypop has had eggs in October ? And there was a case of a cyclura that was first put outside in February and layed in March. In general July/August is when most US cornuta laying occurs, but first time clutches, and first time outside can throw everything off. There are a number of cornuta that are kept indoors and never lay eggs. They get big and fat during the summer months, but then reabsorb. For whatever reason they do not preceive the right conditions. In my case,I believe it is inconsistent diet and photo period -- I also have a big fatty that I doubt will lay this year -- she is very tempermental.

They need to have a nest box with damp sand in a sunny location. The outline of eggs is sometimes not noticed on first time layers. Her appetite may not completely stop, but if she is going to lay, it will get to the point where she only nips at food throughout the day. The lower base of the tail gets sunken-in and spongy. They may not dig at all, but become high energy restless. One day you come out to check on them and they'll be packing the sand over the entrance to the hide box--you've got eggs !
In your cage photo, I see what might be a hide box, but it needs a top, and it is best in an area of direct sun ?
Good luck.

These guys are used to being out for close to 8 months out of the year. The mistake I think I made is the location of the nest box. It gets sun for most of the day, but not in the evening, I might end up moving it toward the front or trimming some of the trees behind the cage. I was going to use playsand and cover it with plywood at least 3/4's of the top. I have not filled it completely and the plywood inside she crawls under at night. Another problem is the damn hurricane right off the coast,(daytona beach) So for now they are chilling out in my florida room and for the kicker she didn't eat today. So who know? Thanks very much for the advice, I'll keep an eye on her tail. Is there any way to feel for eggs? or should I just keep an eye on her behavior which is touch me and Ill kill you.

Feeling for eggs is a bad idea, especially if she is not tame, it will just stress her out. I've had some that showed eggs on exray, but reabsorbed until the next year. Monitor the base of the tail and have a nest ready for use. Good luck.