OT - other lizard eggs

[lele]

I know this is off topic, but could use an opinion...

Ana, my little blotchie girl, finally laid her 4 eggs tonight. All of them have dents in them, one looks almost pinched. Is this OK? Is it just b/c the eggs aren't "filled up" yet? I have never bred anything so first time with eggs. Here are pics
Ana's eggs

thanks!

 

[Jerm]

eggs...

That's not a good sign. I know that they do that when they are too dry and you can rehydrate them, but being laid that way may be a sign of infertility. Is Ana a chameleon?

Jerm

 

[lele]

Is Ana a chameleon?

No, she is a side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana). I just got them on a whim and was OK with the breeding thing since they are small, easy to care for and only lay a few eggs. I'll keep them incubating for a while to see. Never had an interest (time, space or $$!) to breed any other herps - especially those that incubate for 9 months! lol!

thanks for your reply

 

[Jerm]

Yeah, panther eggs are pretty frustrating. I have 3 different clutches that were laid at 2 months apart each and they all look like they are getting ready to hatch. But thats what is so frustrating, they "look" like they are getting ready to hatch. I have one clutch that has "looked" like it was going to hatch out 3 months ago and still nothing. I have 165+ eggs incubating and I was hoping to spread out their hatching over a years time, but its not turning out that way. I have a feeling I am going to be overrun with neonates in the future. I hope I have enough room.

Jerm

 

[lele]

I don't know how you guys do it! Besides the space, $$ and time - how do you possibly find GOOD homes for all of them? I'd be so worried about their new homes I'd end up keeping them all!!

 

[Jerm]

I actually have a serious issue with that. I feel like people should go through an application process before I sell to them, but I can't do that. I know a few people who want a couple, but I am going to have a hard time with the rest. I know that they won't all hatch. I actually tried to slow down my female's production by not breeding her but it didn't slow her down at all. She still laid a clutch 2 days ago with 42 eggs and they look fertile but she hasn't bred since before her previous clutch. Anyway, are there many people breeding Uta stansburiana? I really don't know much about them.

Jerm

 

[jvillereptile]

cover them will a moist towel they just need to hydrate some. i use to breed florida scrub lizards and fence lizards and the are all related to each other give them time and keep them moist and in 6-8 weeks the should hatch

 

[lele]

cover them will a moist towel

So you think the dents will fill out? Do you mean lay a moist towel right on the verm they are sitting in or over the container? Would it be helpful if I cover the eggs lightly with the vermiculite rather than having them exposed? I have them in a plastic critter keeper with a towel on top to keep heat and moisture in. Should I use a different type of container? Just can't invest in an incubator as these will be the only herps I'll ever be breeding (she says NOW - lol!) I am using a heating pad setup. I have a UTH and wonder if that would give off more consistent heat. I have them sitting on about 2" of verm.

Here is a pic of the setup - it's a mini critter keeper.

do I have too much verm? What temps did you keep them at? I was told 80-85 and am using a temp gun to check.

Any other tips appreciated! thanks!

 

[LunaC]

I'm no help Lele, but excited for you and keeping my fingers crossed! How cool it would be for you to have 4 little blotchies! They're a pretty pair you have!

 

[jvillereptile]

first off the eggs only need to be incubate at 85 degrees and the heat pad will dehydrate the vermiculate to fast . the moist towel should be place over the eggs and the vermiculate to help keep it moist. here is a picture of some anole eggs i found yesterday in my box turtle cage

 

[lele]

Thanks!

I'm no help Lele, but excited for you and keeping my fingers crossed! How cool it would be for you to have 4 little blotchies! They're a pretty pair you have!

I got these two as an impulse buy at a show last month - something I NEVER do! I am still surprised at myself, but they are easy and fun. Hope the eggs make it - will know in a month or so

 

[lele]

first off the eggs only need to be incubate at 85 degrees and the heat pad will dehydrate the vermiculate to fast . the moist towel should be place over the eggs and the vermiculate to help keep it moist.

Yes, I was told 80-85 degrees and I use a temp-gun to measure temps. I live in NH so need some sort of heat source

I moved them to a closed container with a few holes poked and set them on an UTH with screen on top (of UTH) to disperse heat evenly. They are holding at 86. I will put the moist towel on them. Is a heat source from above better than below? Like a ceramic heater? I would assume not, but have one if need be.

Again, thanks for help

 

[Jerm]

I used to incubate random eggs from a petstore that I used to work for in a simple setup that might work for these eggs if nothing else does. You make it out of a 10gal. apuarium, a submersable aquarium heater, a glass lid (for the 10 gal. tank), 2 bricks and a container with the eggs inside. I can give you better details if you are interested in this method.

Jerm