laying eggs... ?

[lovemylittleyoshi]

I just found out our beardie Izzy is a girl!!! After all this time we thought she was a boy! In the past, she has done a lot of scratching and digging... do females still lay eggs even though they aren't fertilized? If so, what do I need to do so she can comfortably lay her eggs??? Also, what other behavior issues come with laying eggs... anything hormonal I need to be aware of?? :|

Thanks!!

 

[ziggy23]

yes they can lay infertile clutches without even seeing a male.

You'll need to make a laybox. You can use a plastic tote for that. Then fill it up with something like playsand, or other are other things. If you do a search on this site, or look through the breeding section you'll find several alternatives. You'll want the nesting material to be moist, sand castle consistency. You might also need a lamp or something to keep the area warm.

They tend to get really hyper before laying and go off food for a few days prior. Then you just put them in the laybox and let them do their thing. It might take several days before she starts. I would take my dragon out for bits to bask and offer food, then put her back in when the hyperactivity started back up again.

Afterwards she'll be exhausted and need special attention. She'll need lots of baths and fed like a hatchling. Calcium is very important to replenish their reserves.

 

[lovemylittleyoshi]

Thanks ziggy23! You have been very helpful!

 

[mickeysmomma]

That is how I found out Louie was a girl! :mrgreen: