Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

ToonTomH · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:33 am Post subject: Eggs! =D

Well I wasn't just being hopeful! At some point last night my female crested gecko laid to eggs! Very Happy

I havn't got them out yet as I am not sure what to put them in, most places in my house seem to get too warm to put them- Even on a shelf in my bedroom. Now for some questions

Would it be alright putting them in a Cricket Box in the cage? If so, how deep should the substrate be? Is soil OK (I bought the soil from a reptile shop)? How deep should I bury the eggs?

I don't have an incubator as for me they are too expensive to make, but if I need to I will pay for it.

P.S. Surely enough she didn't lay them in the nesting box, but underneath her waterbowl, she had buried herself there for a while last night so I thought I would check this morning and a great surprise awaited! Very Happy

Please Reply ASAP as I don't want to get anything wrong!

Very Happy

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1.1.1 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon

Mememe · Site Moderator Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 2141

I have never incubated a crestie eggs, but I know someonne who has, and so I will tell you what I know has worked.

They use damp coco coir and filled the cricket tub just over a half full, then make two dimples for the eggs. It should be sopping wet mud, but not too dry - you should know when you get the consistency. You can also lay some sphagnum moss on top, not to much, enough to give draw water up and boost the humidity (sphagnum moss is one the of the most absorbent things!). Lift the eggs extremely carefully, you could use spoons if you're very nervous (like I did with my pygmy eggs), but be careful not to roll them! Shut the tub! My friend left them in her quite warm reptile room, what are temps just above you gecko enclosure? Maybe plonk the box on there. Be careful, as direct sunlught culd cook them!

Date the tub!

Having said all this, some people favour vermiculite, so I would listen to how they do it, as I believe it is easier to tell if you get the right amount of moisture?

Hope this helps!

Do they look fertile?
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ToonTomH · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:46 am Post subject:

I have measured the temperature on top of the enclosure and because it has lights in the lid (I used to keep fish in it), it gets to over 82 degrees F and it was still going up. The enclosure isn't in direct contact from sunlight from the window, so I don't think that should be a problem.

I havn't dared touch them yet, so I don't know if they are fertile, plus, what do I look for to tell me if they are fertile or not?

I phoned my dad straight away to tell him there was eggs and he said to ring the reptile shop, but that doesn't open until 12, so I will have to wait until then.
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1.1.1 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon

Mememe · Site Moderator Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 2141

I suppose in the enclosure would be okay - just make sure they can't know it over!
Fertile eggs are generally smooth and white. Infertile ted to be yellowyer.

Note the bottom right egg compared to the rest.

Even if you think they're infertile, incubate anyway until you KNOW Smile

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No man is an Island. Except the Isle of Man.

ToonTomH · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:55 am Post subject:

What do you mean "Just make sure they can't know it over"?

Looking at that picture then it gets my hopes up! They are definately white, and they do look smooth.

Also I wasn't planning on taking any risks if I even thought they were infertile!
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1.1.1 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon

herp_boi · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:58 am Post subject:

I think meme means make ure they cant knock it over . Razz

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1.1 Eryx colubrinus
1.1 Elaphe obsoleta linheimeri leucistic
1.1 Varanus acanthurus
0.1 Python Regius
0.0.10 varanus acanthurus eggs. Very Happy

0.0.31 Heterodon nasicus eggs.
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Mememe · Site Moderator Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 2141

knock sorry Laughing

Just make sure they can't knock it over!

EDIT: he beat me!
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No man is an Island. Except the Isle of Man.

ToonTomH · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:00 am Post subject:

Ah right, thanks for all your help! Very Happy

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1.1.1 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon

ToonTomH · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:30 pm Post subject:

1 more thing, I've read that the substrate should be 3 parts water to 4 parts substrate (By weight), does that sound right?
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1.1.1 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 Bearded Dragon

Geordiegirl · Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:29 pm Post subject:

I use vermiculite as the medium for incubating my eggs, though I know of people who use perlite or coco coir. I mix it with some water then squeeze the excess water from it. The general rule is to remove enough water from the vermiculite so that it forms a ball but doesn't drip water when you squeeze it.

I'm using air tight containers this time around but last year I used old cricket boxes. You just need to check them to make sure the medium isn't drying out, I generally do this every couple of days, it also lets fresh air circulate.

I wouldn't worry about an incubator, crested gecko eggs are just fine at room temperature. It might take a little longer for them to hatch but I've read that a longer incubation period produces a large hatchling. (I have no idea if this is true or not, all of mine have hatched at around the 65 to 80 day mark)

Good luck with them. Smile

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