Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My little P.Pictus is alone, has never been near a male, and is having an average of an egg every two weeks. She's dropping eggs like crazy! Is this normal for a female gecko with no mate?

Though I do not own any Pictus, I know this to be common among many geckos. My Leopards, tokays, and gargoyle females have done this. I make sure that they are getting a sufficient amount of calcium during this period.

How long have you had her? Could it be possible for her to have been with a male in the past six months? Many geckos also retain sperm. Not sure that the Pictus does but I wanted to throw that out there incase there was a chance of fertility. Are the eggs yellow?

Hope this helps,
Severa

If it is indeed a virgin female, she'll lay to her heart's content. As was said above, make sure she's getting ample nutrition and vitamins/minerals during this time and watch for any signs of egg binding.

I had a similar "problem" with my first crested. She ended up producing 4 clutches and I couldn't find anyone online or in person that had ever heard of a first adult season, virgin female, crested laying more than a clutch or two. (There is only a male human in this house, all the rest of our geckos, all species, are all - by accident- female too.) She ate a ton of food during the time, but was happy and active and just kept making her little nests.

I would say that you are doing an excellent job of taking care of your Pict. If she feels like she has enough extra energy and resources to produce, she is having a great time in your care. Just support her and keep up the good work!

She's never been near a male since birth. Thanks for the replies, I do feel better about it knowing that it happens with other geckos too. I am feeding her a combo of Phoenix worms, waxies, butter worms, and crickets all dusted right now. She id eating like a little piggie, so hopefully she is getting enough nutrients.

I would lay off the wax worms a bit. I learned the hard way years ago that wax worms should be more of a treat than anything else. My leopard female developed fatty sacs uder her front arm pits and I had a heck of a time getting her off the waxies and onto the crickets and meal worms again. Use the wax worms as a treat. I have heard that phoenix worms are incredible for the diets. I would stick to them and the gut loaded crix and gut loaded mealies (mealies love carrot!)
She will be fine I am sure. I know nothing of butter worms and I never got my geckos to eat silk worms but my beardies loved them (then again, they eat anything!)

One question though. How old is she? Just curious about how long it takes a pictus to reach sexual maturity.

Take care and best of luck!
Severa