Is she Gravid??

[usafvet98]

Ok, I was finally able to get some pictures of Sunny, our newest edition, a Sandfire female. When I got her home, I realized she was very fat so I got in touch with the kid I got her from and asked if she was pregnant and without hesitation he said it is a possiblity but he doubts it as he tried to mate her and the did their thing but he figured he was just too big for her. I ordered an incubator just in case and also set up a lay box for her as she has been digging a bit. So I got some pictures and while I cant feel eggs (dont wanna push too hard so I just felt the belly), she does seem to act a bit different than my other two males.. Please tell me what you think. Im not worried as I am and will be set up for the babies if need be, but I just want to be sure because I want to be sure to feed her essential vitamins etc..

Thanks in Advance
Brian

 

[Mistyck]

She looks as though she might be gravid...How long ago did the guy say that he tried to mate her? What is her weight, and her length?

What is that white stuff she's in?

 

[usafvet98]

Thanks for the response. He didnt say when as he had them in the same cage together all the time. Not sure of her weight but she is only 12-13". The white stuff is perlite. I read around and some reptile breaders said its ok to use as it is so similar to vermiculite so I made her a lay bed in a separate enclosure just in case and I have an incubator on the way.

 

[Mistyck]

I've heard of Perlite being used in the incubator, but not as a laybox material. Laybox material is normally sand so she can bury her eggs when she's done laying. She is TINY! I hope she didn't take when he tried mating her. Normally females need to be above 16" and 300 grams before they mate. Poor dear. Up her calcium intake and feed her more protein and greens. She'll need the nutrients. Bath her plenty too so she doesn't get dehydrated.

 

[usafvet98]

What ahold I pick up for her lay box as I will change it out today. Yeah she is little and I was very annoyed when he said he mated her! Some people just don't think! thanks for the advice.

 

[Mistyck]

How is she doing? Has anything changed?

 

[usafvet98]

Yeah, she's getting bigger so I am picking up the sand today. I got the incubator in today. The kid I got her from said they mated a few days before I got her so it would have been about 2 weeks now-ish.

 

[Mistyck]

That poor baby! Thank goodness she's with you now! I'm glad you're getting the sand, and have the incubator in. Keep us updated!

 

[usafvet98]

Yeah, I feel so bad for her. She is definitely acting pretty weird too. I will keep everyone updated as well. Thanks for everything.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Let us know if you need anything.

 

[usafvet98]

Thanks everyone! I had her in her lay bed today using play sand moistened enough for her to form her nesting area (or whatever it's called) lol. Had her basking bulb over top as well. She was digging in a corner, stopping and going back to it. She has these odd jerking movements too like when she is walking sometimes. Her hole she dug is a pretty decent size now but it was getting late so I put her back in her enclosure. Tomorrow when I put her back in there I will have to moisten the sand again, should I try to keep the hole she made or will she just dig another?

 

[Mistyck]

Don't touch her spots, just moisten the sand, and if she wants she might fill it in, or go back to digging in it. Just depends on how they feel.

 

[usafvet98]

Ok, she dug her tunnel and is laying these eggs. I feel so bad for her! Anyway, I can see one and it is white and round undented. I am setting up the incubator which is a hovabator 1602n thermal air. Please if anyone reads this soon, let me know the right temp and humidity I need it on.. Thanks in Advance!
Brian

 

[usafvet98]

Its amazing how active she is after laying 17 eggs. 8 of them are good as they are white, no dents and I can see the little blood circle of the embryo. Should I put the dented ones in incubator too? Heres some pictures..

 

[Mistyck]

I'd put the dented ones in there too, just in a separate container. Never know what might happen. Glad she laid them though, poor thing! Give her lots of TLC and extra protein with calcium now. I'm sure she'd appreciate it! Pretty little thing.