Is a male required for egg-laying?

[MelissaGray]

Just kinda of a stupid question...Do females lay eggs if there isn't a male around? Just curious because my girl, Sydney, has MBD and I am worrying about her possibly laying eggs and depleting her calcium. Didn't know if they were like birds...I had a cockatiel lay eggs for 4 months before she stopped.

 

[Catalyst]

Females can lay eggs without ever coming into contact with a male. Not all females do it though, it depends on the individual dragon - for some it's a regular event, while others never do it. My girl is 3 years old and has yet to lay infertile eggs.

 

[LJean]

Not to hijack the post, but do you think they are more likely to lay infertile eggs if there is a male in the house?

 

[Catalyst]

Not to hijack the post, but do you think they are more likely to lay infertile eggs if there is a male in the house?

Good question. I would think that it would since the female would/could still be exposed to the sights, sounds, and smells/hormones of the male and that could potentially trigger the whole biological egg laying sequence. Seems logical to me, but I have no experience with this so it's just my best guess.

 

[trinamine]

I have another sort of stupid question! I am getting a female beardie tomorrow. I have 2 males (who live very happily together). The guy I'm getting her from says she's gravid. Does this mean she is carrying eggs that should be incubated?

If I have it right, they mate and then they grow the eggs then they lay??

Please excuse my ignorance! and any spelling errors - Spike is running around on the laptop

 

[Catalyst]

If she's gravid then yes, she's carrying eggs. As the person you're getting her from if she's been with a male. If so, then they are probably fertile and should be incubated. If she has never been with a male then they will be infertile and there is no need to incubate the eggs.

And yes, mating then eggs then laying is the right order.

 

[trinamine]

Thanks! I know it was a very stupid question but no one seems to state the obvious!