nosing at the glass and making it at least look sore

[newbiebeardie]

hummmm if she is trying to dig aswell, its usually an indicator of egg laying. You would need to get a lay box ready.

Get a plastic storage tub, at least 15" or more deep. Fill it will washed kids play sand, or top soil (or a mix) make it moist by adding warm water, think sandcastle consistency, not dripping wet but holds its shape. Put her in, and start a little tunnel for her.

She may well get straight to digging, or she may wait a few more days. Generally they will build a tunnel, or really deep hole, turn around, lay the eggs, they cover them up with sand.

Like i said this is what happened to me last year, but Giz didnt start digging until the 11th hour, so i just thought she was hyper. Has she been off food at all?

Yes she has been off her food a bit would she not lay if the sands not there for her then ill have to try that

 

[Buggsy]

no, if she is already digging, and off her food the eggs are already produced, and removing and digging spot would cause her to hold onto them and become egg bound. I think you should prob get the lay box ready and see what happens over the next few days, if she is still eating a bit for you, increase her calcium intake, oh and plenty of baths. Once she has started digging her hold, try not to disturb her, but just keep an eye out that nothing 'unusual' like staining very hard with nothing coming out.

 

[newbiebeardie]

ok thanks very much for all your help

 

[newbiebeardie]

Oh sorry to ask more questions but should there be anything specific about the storage box that I ought to consider besides depth at all??? I know damp play sand but if i cant get any ( owing to the time of year would calcisand / reptile sand from pet store be ok?

 

[Buggsy]

are you in the UK, B&Q stock kids playsand year round, lots of it for £4.00. If in the US i know lowes stock it year round also.

If not there should be plenty of potting soil avaliable.

Its expensive, but as a last resort there is something called verma something, sold in most pet shop which could work, the vet recommended it years back!

 

[newbiebeardie]

yes I am in the uk so ill try it I have got this right though 15 inches deep????? Im guess I have it about and take her out now and again and let her scrape about in it then pop her back in the viv to warm her up again? should i put somethign in the viv to scrap about in when shes in there too it wont be as deep cos she wouldnt be able to get in or out but may be a deep lunchbox/ tupperware thing so she always have something available ?

 

[Buggsy]

the sand should be 8-12" deep, i usually put in in th cold end on the viv, with a vine to climb out is she wants, but i have seen a pic of a recyclining tub, the one with the front missing a little bit, kind of like:
http://containerz.com/Plastic-stackable-storage-containers.jpg
that seems to work well.

I just pop Giz in, then cover it, so she feels like shes not being watched (some people dont need to do this but Giz is very shy about laying) and leave her to it. She will just stop if she wants. Once she has finished and patted all the sand over her eggs she can have a nice long bath and some feeders, she will be hungry!

Other people will keep the lay box separate, but offer a heat bulb to keep her warm, and they say to just leave her a day or two to do her thing. if its her first time she will prob be confused and it may take some time to figure out what to do!

 

[newbiebeardie]

thank you im ever so grateful

 

[Buggsy]

Thats ok, like i said i went through all this last year, and it was her first time, so ive had experience with a reabsorbed clutch and a very small clutch (2 eggs, i think its a record!)

How is she doing now??

 

[newbiebeardie]

well she seems happier having a good scrap around in it nothing coming yet except poo lol but I guess she must be trying to get shot of the eggs too and needs to figure out what shes doing

 

[Buggsy]

how is she doing now?? Any news?

 

[newbiebeardie]

shes pooing in it alot but im guessing thats probably because shes trying and not quite worked it out yet?!?!?

 

[Buggsy]

hummm i would have thought if she has stopped eating, there would be nothing to come out. I would put her in the bath, giver her a nice scrub, see if she poops a bit more, clean the sand out, and put her back in. Is she constantly digging?

 

[newbiebeardie]

when i say a lot i should have been more clear i spose frequently is a better word there isnt a lot but some small white poos she is off her food just the very odd little bit of salad but yodas normally pretty gutsy to be honest digging a lot very active drinking plenty she has daily baths too and drinks then too so the white poos i imagine are owing to her fluid intake.
she started to dig straight away and shes showing no signs of illness other than being off her her food and not having any of the brown colour poos as a result shes bright alert not remotely lethargic

 

[Buggsy]

Ah! makes sense then, well it sounds like she knows what to do, just make sure to keep the sand moist and keep checking on her, she should start to lay soon, i think Gizmo acted weird (literally climbing the curtains) for a week. If she starts to slow at all, or looks to be in pain whip her straight to the vets for an x-ray.