Reptile & Amphibian Forums

All,
The eggs laid by my lizard have been incubating now for well over one week. Does this indicate that they are indeed viable? Thanks.

Evan

Chances are good but this is not a guarantee in itself.

I have had eggs go the full term and turn out to be infertile! Others have lasted weeks before failing and others have failed right away. The two that my #2 armata dropped on the 28th looked good until I checked them last night and then I noticed that one had yellow goo underneath with perlite stuck to it. When I wiped the perlite off it turned out the egg was actually leaking! I opened it to find that it was foul and there was no indication of it being fertile.

So, I don't want to discourage you, your eggs are very probably good. I always say, don't toss them until they look like a science project that has gone terribly bad!

An example for the positive here is the clutch from my armata female #1 whose eggs looked fertile but half of the clutch didn't look like they would make it. I put that half of the clutch in slightly dryer perlite and instead of leaving them half burried as usual I covered them with about 1/4" of perlite. When I checked a week later they looked just as good as the half that looked good at the start! When I checked them with the penlight they all look pink and show veins as I would expect fertile eggs to show. So, even eggs that don't appear to be good can sometimes be saved.

Of course, they are only about 1 month along right now. The test will be when they have gone full term!

Patience is the key!
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

FroggieB,
Thanks! The eggs have developed what appear to be "freckles". They have had these for quite a while now, any ideas? Is that normal? Also, is it common to get more than one clutch from a single breeding? It sounds like it is, but I'm not sure. Thanks a bunch.

Evan

I'm not sure what you mean by freckles. Could just be the way they are calcified. Sometimes if they didn't form with enough calcium they get what I call starburst or snowflake type effect.

Also, it is not uncommon for them to multi-clutch. So, be prepared just in case but don't be dissapointed if she doesn't!
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

Marcia,
Good for you! I think the nesting greenhouse is an excellent idea! Are you planning to leave the eggs in there to let them incubate? If so, that seems efficient. That's a lot of babies in one cage! I didn't know that one could mix the different types of lizards, it makes sense, but still, I learn something new every day

Regards, Evan

No, I just haven't had good luck with incubating in the viv. I prefer the controled environment of the incubation box.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

Sure, once I get it set up!

By the way, to answer some of your questions, I got this at a garage sale in So. Omaha back when I first got into reptiles. I got it for a 3-toed box turtle. It worked out great for him too. Then later I did use it for my capra like dragons for quite a while. It is one a base that has 2 doors with storage underneath. At one time it had heat tape and a device for reading humidity in it and the controls are still in the side. There is a timer for the light strips as well and that is still wired. I'm sure that if I wanted to I could have it re-wired for the heat and humidity device sometime.

Anyway, I saw this when we were out antiquing and looking for estate sales. This couple had some great stuff at their yard sale and when I saw the greenhouse I asked how much and the gal said to make an offer. Not wanting to pay too much but also not wanting to be insulting I offered $50. She said yes and hubby & I loaded it on my pickup!

A few years ago I was looking on the Carolina Biological website and I found the same greenhouse and about fell over. Seems the greenhouse without the base was about $1000 brand-new!

I'll post a pic when I get it set back up!
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

...any chance this could be it?

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Ryan