Hi all,
I'm a little confused. My big girl (3 year old citrus), laid a clutch of eggs on Oct. 26--they didn't look too good--all collapsed and orangey, so we planted them in our garden.
Yesterday, she laid another clutch--about 26 again! and these looked much better. I'm wondering what are the chances that they are viable?
Although she is currently housed on her own, we adopted her Aug. 15 from another owner, and at the time, she had been housed with a sexually mature male. She laid her first clutch of eggs in May (about 15 eggs), when she was not under our care. Her second clutch came in Oct. and her third clutch came yesterday. I did the best I could, in terms of getting them on a bed of moist soil and keeping them warm (though it was cold in the house last night--about 70--and we thought it was unlikely that they were/are viable).
Although her previous owners never saw the male/female mate, it is possible that they bred at some point when no one was looking. If that were the case, would it take that long between Aug. and now for her to become gravid?
She is doing fine, eating voraciously, looking a little stressed day before and after laying (dark color), but otherwise good. Loving and lovable as ever.
I just don't want to inadvertantly harm the eggs if they might be viable.
Your advice and insight would be greatly appreciated!
Best wishes,
J
I'm a little confused. My big girl (3 year old citrus), laid a clutch of eggs on Oct. 26--they didn't look too good--all collapsed and orangey, so we planted them in our garden.
Yesterday, she laid another clutch--about 26 again! and these looked much better. I'm wondering what are the chances that they are viable?
Although she is currently housed on her own, we adopted her Aug. 15 from another owner, and at the time, she had been housed with a sexually mature male. She laid her first clutch of eggs in May (about 15 eggs), when she was not under our care. Her second clutch came in Oct. and her third clutch came yesterday. I did the best I could, in terms of getting them on a bed of moist soil and keeping them warm (though it was cold in the house last night--about 70--and we thought it was unlikely that they were/are viable).
Although her previous owners never saw the male/female mate, it is possible that they bred at some point when no one was looking. If that were the case, would it take that long between Aug. and now for her to become gravid?
She is doing fine, eating voraciously, looking a little stressed day before and after laying (dark color), but otherwise good. Loving and lovable as ever.
I just don't want to inadvertantly harm the eggs if they might be viable.
Your advice and insight would be greatly appreciated!
Best wishes,
J