I'm hoping one of the breeders here can help me out. I can't determine if my dragon is just fat or if she might be gravid. Pig is 8 months old and a very GOOD eater and has always been a little on the plump side but lately she is getting a really round tummy.
She has a tail nip but by my estimate, she should be around 17". Dec 1 she was 309 grams, today she is 392 gram(before poo)s. I've tried to feel for eggs but I can't find anything that feels like marbles. I used my fingers to flatten her like a pancake today in the bath, I must have gotten her down to about 1/2 inch and still couldn't feel anything but squishy.
Where exactly are the eggs located? On the sides or more towards the center? I'm super paranoid about egg binding in females but so far, she isn't showing any signs except for her Buddha belly.
This pic is about 2 weeks old and is deceptive, she is actually bigger in the tummy. When she stands normally, he belly nearly drags the ground.
This was a few months ago, just starting to get her belly
If she is indeed just fat, how will this affect her if I do decide to breed her? I'm afraid she will explode lol.
If she is gravid you will feel the bumps in her belly if you lay her in your palm and push her head up to kinda stand her up. Also she will be digging A LOT. Like she is digging a hole to china!
If she is just fat that means if she does get pregnant there is more room in there to hold more eggs!
I has a breeder take a look at her and it seems that she probably is gravid. We could feel lumps but they are small yet. She isn't digging at all but her appetite isn't as good as usual, seems she get full faster.
I have females that will lay clutches and I would never had known they were gravid. I have also gotten clutches in 10 days after copulation, and I have seen 5 week gestations too.
Goof luck! Make sure she has privacy when she lays
I'm still not positive she is gravid but she has really reduced her food intake the last week. I don't know if its related or if she is just stressed, I put her with Crimm a few days ago and she absolutely freaked out. I've never seen a adult dragon that scared of another dragon and crimm didn't even do anything except bob a couple times.
I would be VERY worried if I thought my 8 month old dragon was gravid (although that would never happen because I will not allow them to be in contact with a male at that age of course).
An 8 month old dragon is not physically mature enough to carry eggs without stunting her own growth. A female should be at least 18 months old before she is bred.
If she is indeed gravid, make sure she gets lots of calcium.
I would be VERY worried if I thought my 8 month old dragon was gravid (although that would never happen because I will not allow them to be in contact with a male at that age of course).
An 8 month old dragon is not physically mature enough to carry eggs without stunting her own growth. A female should be at least 18 months old before she is bred.
If she is indeed gravid, make sure she gets lots of calcium.