Well, the last time I posted was back in April, I think and Princess was in egg mode. That was new for us.
I can report that
a) she went through two separate egg laying phases, separated by about two weeks. We didn't find the egg(s) from the first phase, but we did from the second. We dissected it as part of a science experiment (we home school). It was bigger than we expected (elongated egg shape) and had a definite yolk.
b) we could tell when she was going to start her second egg phase, because her normal pooping schedule is no more than once a day, and usually more like every 3rd day (remember, she's 7 years old and 20 inches long -- not a baby!). BUT -- we've noticed that when eggs are imminent, she begins to poop 3 TIMES a day, and then goes off her food, and spends her entire time out of her cage digging on the hardwood floor. Amusing to watch, but ineffective...
c) Now that we're apparently done with egg laying for the year (I hope), she's is RAVENOUS and doing great. She loves dandelion flowers and leaves, and I planted a violet bok choi this year that immediately bolted -- not great for the freezer, but it has yellow flowers, and she LOVES them. Everything she eats is YELLOW or green. Red, orange need not apply. Well, crickets are brown -- but they move -- that's different!
d) she didn't shed after brumation before eggs. But now that eggs are done, she is shedding like crazy.
Well, hopefully these patterns, if they have any significance beyond our particular lizard, may help other people with theirs. What amazing creatures!
I can report that
a) she went through two separate egg laying phases, separated by about two weeks. We didn't find the egg(s) from the first phase, but we did from the second. We dissected it as part of a science experiment (we home school). It was bigger than we expected (elongated egg shape) and had a definite yolk.
b) we could tell when she was going to start her second egg phase, because her normal pooping schedule is no more than once a day, and usually more like every 3rd day (remember, she's 7 years old and 20 inches long -- not a baby!). BUT -- we've noticed that when eggs are imminent, she begins to poop 3 TIMES a day, and then goes off her food, and spends her entire time out of her cage digging on the hardwood floor. Amusing to watch, but ineffective...
c) Now that we're apparently done with egg laying for the year (I hope), she's is RAVENOUS and doing great. She loves dandelion flowers and leaves, and I planted a violet bok choi this year that immediately bolted -- not great for the freezer, but it has yellow flowers, and she LOVES them. Everything she eats is YELLOW or green. Red, orange need not apply. Well, crickets are brown -- but they move -- that's different!
d) she didn't shed after brumation before eggs. But now that eggs are done, she is shedding like crazy.
Well, hopefully these patterns, if they have any significance beyond our particular lizard, may help other people with theirs. What amazing creatures!
