Is she gravid? *Updated*

[NuKe]

Well when I got phoebe It couldnt have been timed worse, I lost my source of income and had no choice but to have her housed with a male, the male was young and never tried anything, but the very week before I had the money for her own viv i awoke to find him attached to her, he had not inserted he had just grabbed her and I got him off of her and separated him. I thought that would be the end of it. Well now its a few weeks later a phoebe is acting strange, she is only 7 months and he is only 5-6 months old. She is 18 inches and weighs around 230-250 grams. She just started eating alot a week ago, and as of this week has completely lost interest in greens and insects but has lost 0 weight or so it seems. Her daily routine has become wake up, bask, go crazy for 15-30 minutes, bask and repeat lol. She was also sleeping for 2days almost, before this started happening. To finish it off here are some pictures as of 10 minutes ago. ( I made her a lay box i only saw her attempt to dig in it once then she tries digging through the side where the plastic is and in the viv on the tile instead.)

 

[NuKe]

Any Ideas? She has yet make a burrow or attempt to dig in her box.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

She could very well be. Can you feel anything in the belly? Just be gentle when rubbing. I would just keep providing her a lay box and up her calcium just to be on the safe side and keep an eye on her urates. Also make sure she stays hydrated! She is WAY to young to be gravid and serious problems could arise from it. Just keep an eye on her. You may want to get her to the vet and get some x-rays done. Please let us know how it goes and anything else you need feel free to ask!

 

[NuKe]

Her entire underside is strangely firm almost like the firm you would get from working out a muscle. If i feel around all i think im feeling may be her stomach. Last time she used the bathroom it was a small amount. Im going to attempt giving her some squash and olive oil to make sure she doesnt have an impaction. But ive never seen an impaction effect her or any of them this way.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

If she has gone recently then most likely she is not impacted. When was the last time? Also get that lay box ready.

 

[NuKe]

she went 2 days ago. It was small but well formed and didnt stink. She has rejected the laybox so far, she hasnt lost ANY weight when she is put in her laybox she scratches the sides and trys to jump out like she does in her viv. Its almost like she is going insane lol.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

You may want to see a vet and get an x-ray done! If she is near they can probably induce her. How long ago did this all happen?

 

[NuKe]

Well she has been separated for two weeks now, as of the week before that, thats when i saw him try to mate her and i separated him. I planned on breeding them but no where near this soon. She ate on monday alot pooped on tuesday and hasnt eaten anything since. whats every little detail that needs to go into a laybox maybe im not doing it all correct.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Well are you going to do the lay box inside or outside the viv?

 

[NuKe]

Outside because i cant get anything deep enough inside her viv ive been using a plastic storage bin and everytime she starts running around i round her up and put her in the box

 

[Twobeardieguy]

One thing is when she really starts to dig dig then put her into a lay box and leave her there the rest of the day. I would get a rubbermaid tote 18 gallon is plenty and fill it quarter to half way with ether sand or eco earth (dirt without fertilizers) and make it damp so the it holds its shape if and when she digs to china town! You can also mix the two in case you have a picky girl. You can even start a few holes in there for her. What I do is cut a hole in the lid and attach just a heat lamp in it with ether a 45 or 55 watt bulb so she stays warm. She does not need UVB at this time. Just let her be and make sure it is quiet there. Just check on her every hour to every other. If she did not lay by the end of the night then try again the next day!

 

[NuKe]

I was completely unaware that she needed that long. should i leave her in there even if she is scratching to get out?

 

[Twobeardieguy]

If she is in her viv really scratching and digging then it is time to put her in. You kinda gotta get the feel for her. She will let you know when it is time. When time comes then yes put her in and leave her be, she will lay and the take her out and bathe her while you pluck the eggs out.

 

[NuKe]

If/when she lays how do you tell if any of them are fertile and how would i make a homemade incubator? Because im not willing to let fertile eggs go to waste.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Well fertile ones will be nice white and plump and you should also see little red veins or even a red spot in the egg. The other ones will be yellow. Sometimes it can fool ya and it could look fertile and in a couple of days it can change colors etc! As for homemade ones I would say look around on here cause I really never made one. Some people make them out of old refrigerators while some make them out of old aquariums. You can order one from big apple supply and have it in a day and is probably your best bet. You also need containers and vermiculite to put the eggs into! If all else fails you can freeze the first clutch as she may lay more after that!