Is my leopard gecko going to lay eggs? Some info and tips.
Since it’s the time of year when female leopard geckos ovulate, I thought this might be helpful to share. A lot of people ask me when they can tell if an ovulating leopard gecko is going to lay infertile eggs. Let me start out by saying that it’s uncommon for this to happen! I’ve only had two females lay infertile eggs without ever being paired with a male. It definitely can happen, but it’s less likely than you would think.
What does ovulation look like?
The ovules themselves look like small, pencil eraser sized pink / white circles on the underside of the leopard gecko. Sometimes they are visible without physically manipulating the gecko, but usually you will have to lift the gecko gently by the hips or base of the tail so the abdominal organs press up closer against the skin, allowing you to see them. Behaviorally, ovulating geckos can be more defensive than usual and can slow or stop eating. If your gecko is ovulating and not eating, there is usually little cause for concern. Losing a few grams during this time is not a big deal, and typically once they stop ovulating they will eat. Some even eat all the way through ovulation to egg laying. It really depends on the individual animal.
When will the gecko lay eggs, and how can I tell if she is going to?
If the gecko has been bred, they lay anywhere between 2-4 weeks after a successful mating. Mine usually lay in the 18-25 day window. Today is day 11 for Serena, and you can clearly see the developing eggs through her belly. I won’t know if they’re fertile or not until they’re laid, fertile and infertile eggs look pretty much identical through the skin.
If your gecko has not been bred, it can be difficult to say if or when she will lay eggs. I physically check my ovulating girls once a week, and there are some signs that they’re going to actually lay infertile eggs.
The ovules have grown in size and have moved into a position similar to that in the pic above. One is usually higher than the other.
She’s spending a lot of time in her humid hide, or digging a lot if provided a dig box
She’s started eating again
Once the ovules are about ½ inch in size, it’s pretty safe to say that they’ve transitioned into eggs and will need to be passed. If you suspect your gecko is going to lay infertiles, provide them with an adequate nesting site or she may hold onto the eggs for too long and become egg bound. I use ziploc food storage containers with a hole melted in the top big enough for the gecko to climb through easily, filled halfway with damp sphagnum and coco fiber. A few days before she lays you will notice her digging and spending most of her time in the lay box, she will also likely stop eating during this time as well. It’s really important to provide them with a good calcium / vitamin mix during this time as well, since infertiles are often improperly shelled and can be harder for them to pass.
Let me know if you have any questions, I hope this helps answer some of your questions and eases some of the springtime anxiety a lot of leopard gecko owners deal with!