Gravid and trying to lay?

[sean8172]

My roughly 18 month old female has been digging pretty much constantly. When I say "pretty much constantly", I mean, if she's awake, she's digging. Her belly is larger than usual, but if she's gravid, they are definitely infertile eggs. Should I make her a lay bin? Is she trying to find a spot to lay her infertile eggs? She's been at this close to a month. Every day, all day.

 

[PatsyB]

From what I've read, she will still need a lay box because she has to lay the eggs even if they are infertile.

 

[sean8172]

That's what I was thinking. Thank you! I'm getting supplies today.

 

[PatsyB]

I started reading about it to prepare myself for when this happens to my girl. I guess if they don't lay the eggs they will get egg bound and that's real serious. Also, if you lift their tail up so you can see their belly, you should be able to see the eggs and when you hold her you can feel them.

Good luck!

 

[Bushmaster11B]

Why and how do you know they are infertile? I'm new to the Gravid scene.

 

[PatsyB]

If there is no male to fertilize them they would be infertile.

Funny thing, this morning I woke up to find Dexter in the little sand box I made her. It looked like she was trying to dig to China! She has never really gone in it on her own (unless she fell in it) and now today she's been in there twice!

 

[sean8172]

When I lift her tail, I see nothing resembling eggs. Is it possible she's just been in a digging mood? I'll attach a pic in a few.

 

[Bushmaster11B]

how cool, didn't know that. thought it took two to make eggs. Good info Patsy, thanks.

 

[gilliesexotics]

Hi, give her some time in a lay box. She will do her chores

You wont be able to see the eggs from the vent unless she is literally laying them.

 

[sean8172]

So, I made a lay bin. Does this look like what she should be doing?

 

[sean8172]

Also, is that deep enough, or should I build that side up more? How long does this usually take? This is our first time laying eggs, so I'm full of questions.

 

[gilliesexotics]

Hi, Yes that is what she should be doing. They arent to incredibly picky on depth but i do generally try to make it around 8 inches or more deep. She will dig to china if you give enough sand.

 

[PatsyB]

Has she done anything yet? Gill is right if you let her she will dig to China. Dexter gets to the bottom of her sandbox and looks at me as if she wants me to add more sand!

 

[sean8172]

She dug and dug...and. I don't think she found "her spot". She's back in her enclosure now, digging sand up everywhere. I asked the owner of an exotic pet store near me, and he said it could be she wants to breed. Is this normal activity if that's the case as well?

 

[gilliesexotics]

Hi, this is not a sign shes ready to breed.. Some females will dig for a few days straight. You could also try putting more moist sand in bin.

 

[sean8172]

Should I leave her in the lay bin 24/7 if I can provide lighting?

 

[gilliesexotics]

Hi, you can keep her in the bin 24/7. Main thing is keeping her warm. Truly all she needs is the rooms ambient lights with ideally 80* ambient temp.

 

[sean8172]

So, she doesn't need uvb or direct heat during her regular times? I live in the midwest, and it's getting pretty cold here at night (near freezing). Will the room temp, and the plastic bin, be good enough?

 

[gilliesexotics]

Hi, she doesnt require uvb during this time.
To keep her warm.
Best option: You can place a heat emitter over the bin.
Ok option: Place her heat bulb from her enclosure over the bin.

Be sure the sand stays moist enough that she can burrow (make caves).

 

[sean8172]

Thanks. I have the bin where her enclosure is usually located (with some modifications to keep the cat out). She is digging quite a bit, but it's more like she's digging a whole in one corner, not digging a "cave". The area she's digging is, of course, where the light is, so the substrate has dried some already. At this very moment, she's digging more on the side of the tub than she is in the substrate. I'm sure she'll figure it out eventually though