Key Takeaway:
- A female crested gecko stays gravid for about 30 to 40 days before she finally lays a clutch of eggs.
- Female crested geckos lay eggs every 45 days or so – even if they have never been in contact with a male crested gecko.
- It is very important to provide the required amount of calcium and vitamin D3 to your female crested gecko – whether you breed her or not.
- This is because even laying an infertile clutch of eggs takes a toll on the calcium reserves in her body.
Have you noticed your crested gecko acting a little different lately? Are you wondering if your pet might be carrying eggs?
If so, you could have a gravid crested gecko on your hands! Gravid simply means “pregnant,” and if you suspect your gecko is carrying eggs, there are a few telltale signs you can look for.
In this article, we’ll explore the key indicators that your crested gecko is gravid, as well as what you can do to ensure the health and safety of both your gecko and its potential offspring.
How Do You Know If Your Crested Gecko Is Pregnant Or Gravid?
Female crested geckos can become pregnant or gravid, meaning they are carrying eggs.
Here are some signs that can help you determine if your crested gecko is pregnant or gravid:
- Increase in weight: Pregnant or gravid crested geckos may become slightly heavier due to the weight of the eggs they are carrying.
- Swollen belly: As the eggs develop, the female’s belly may become visibly larger.
- Decreased appetite: Some female crested geckos may eat less or stop eating altogether as they prepare to lay their eggs.
- Restlessness: Pregnant or gravid crested geckos may become more active and restless, moving around their enclosure more than usual.
- Digging behavior: Female crested geckos will often start to dig or search for a suitable place to lay their eggs as they approach the time to lay them.
If you suspect that your crested gecko is pregnant or gravid, it’s essential to ensure that they have access to a suitable egg-laying substrate, such as moist coco fiber or sphagnum moss.
Also, ensure that they have access to a warm and humid environment, as this can help with the development and laying of eggs.
How Long Is A Crested Gecko Gravid?
A crested gecko is gravid for about a month.
Following a successful mating, your female gecko will most likely need to lay eggs in less than 30 days.
You must have a lay box prepared for her to help in the procedure.
The place where your female may lay her eggs is called a “lay box,” which is just a hide or modified plastic container filled with coco fiber or moss.
How To Take Care Of A Gravid Crested Gecko
If your crested gecko is gravid, the following tips may help you take better care of her and her eggs:
Substrate and lay box
One of the first things you need to do to prepare for your gravid crested gecko is to have a lay box readily available to her in the enclosure.
It is very important that you choose an appropriate substrate for that lay box. If the substrate is too coarse or too fine, your crested gecko may feel too uncomfortable to lay her eggs.
Enclosure environment
While it is necessary to have ideal humidity and temperature in your crested gecko’s enclosure at all times when your crested gecko is gravid, you may need to get extra vigilant about it.
Improved diet
Forming and laying healthy eggs needs a lot of calcium. This means your gravid crested gecko needs to be fed a lot of calcium-rich diets.
Not only is this important to ensure the health of the eggs but also to prevent your crested gecko from becoming deficient and developing life-threatening conditions like metabolic bone disorder.
Remove the stressors
Eliminate all stressors from the environment. This will include:
- Separating the male crested gecko after mating
- Having a good lighting cycle for the enclosure
- Ensuring that the room is quiet and calm
- Giving your gravid crested gecko a lot of personal space while mostly just monitoring her health from afar.
Crested Gecko Egg Laying Behavior
Female crested geckos are known to lay eggs throughout the year, but the frequency and timing of egg laying can vary depending on factors like temperature, humidity, and nutrition.
Before a female crested gecko lays her eggs, she will usually exhibit some telltale signs of gravidity, such as increased appetite, a bulging belly, and a tendency to spend more time basking under her heat source.
Once a female crested gecko is ready to lay her eggs, she will typically begin to dig a burrow in a moist substrate, such as coconut coir or sphagnum moss.
This burrow is where she will deposit her eggs, which are usually laid in pairs and can number anywhere from one to ten or more, depending on the size and age of the female.
After laying her eggs, the female crested gecko will carefully cover them with the substrate to help protect them from predators and maintain a stable temperature and humidity level.
From there, it can take anywhere from 60 to 90 days for the eggs to hatch, depending on factors like temperature and humidity.
Is It Possible For A Crested Gecko To Be Lay Eggs Without Male?
Yes, it is possible for a female crested gecko to lay eggs without a male.
Once crested geckos reach their sexual maturity at around 8 to 12 months, you will notice that your pet lays a clutch of eggs every 45 days or so – even if she has never been in contact with a male crested gecko.
It is very common and often a sign of a healthily functioning reproductive system.
Just ensure that your crested gecko gets the required amount of calcium because even laying infertile eggs takes a toll on the calcium reserves in the body.
Summary
Having a gravid crested gecko can be both – exciting and unnerving. It is normal to be stressed at this time, especially if this is your first time handling a gravid crested gecko.
But with a little preparation, you will be able to ensure that your crested gecko lays healthy eggs in a comfortable setting.
