1st Egg....not sure exactly what to do

[girly_gecko_girl]

Hi, I bought my crested geckos not too long ago, the female was "pregnant" at the time. Not sure if a fertilized egg or just an egg (told they will lay eggs even if not fertilzed if they've been around a male). Well, I've had her a couple weeks now and decided to go egg searching and found 1 in the pothos. I put a mark on it so I know which way is up and put moss over it (was covered with dirt).  However, not sure what else to do and don't want to move the egg until I have everything set up/need for it.

I have a small critter keeper....would that work for the egg?

And what kind of substrate do I use? Would the same stuff I have in the adult home work with moss added or should I do something else?  The substrate I have is the "coconut" bark that same in a brick and you get wet to expand.

Also, how can I tell if it's a fertilzed egg?

Should I put a "heat lamp" over or near the container or just let it be?

And is it unusual for just 1 egg? or would she lay in 2 different spots?  I went through the whole terrarium last night doing "spot" cleaning of dead crickets (found about 6 large in there, hiding...doesn't look like they're eating them), feces, mix up the substrate/dirt, etc..and didn't see any other eggs.  Just when I was checking the pothos I found the one.


I tried to located my gecko book last night and misplaced it.

[ColleenT]

ok, you can't leave it in the cage. you need an incubator. go get a gladware container and some Vermiculite. and you'll need a gram scale. you can get a postal scale at Staples or Office Depot.  first weight the container empty-in grams. then put the vermiculite in-dry. subtract the weight of the container, and you get a number. multiply this number by 2( this is the number you want) and place the container on the scale, in the grams and slowly pour a little water until you get to the number you got. remove mr egg, keep him right side up, and gently place 1/2 to 2/3 in the vermiculite. place the lid with holes( not big holes for when he hatches, you do not want an escape. ) keep it on top of the cage or near warmth to keep it at least 73 degrees. but not too hot. every few days measure the container and add water to keep it at the number you got at the end. actually write the number down somewhere. now- count 65 days and that is the guess time for hatching. Good luck.

[girly_gecko_girl]

Thank you very much!   

I've been trying to find vermiculite....my local pet stores don't have it.  Would a critter keeper work? Or is that going to be too tall?  I have a small one that I put my house geckos in when I clean the cage, but they have gotten out and the only 1 that is left (out of 3) is very mean and makes it really hard to handle, feed, clean the tank, etc, so I may take him back, unfortunately.

[smith710]

Your not going to find it at a pet store.  Go to walmart or home depot or another hardware store with plants.  and they usually don't have vermiculite, just get perlite, its the same stuff.

[Liz]

yeah what these guys said. I wish u luck with the egg.

[firecrested]

You can use a deli cup too if you have one.  you dont really need a scale. just make the vermiculite moist, be sure it's not soggy.  Squeeze it until there is no water coming out and you have it right.  cover the eggs about half way and you're done.  you can check weekly to see if you need to add more water but usually i never have to.

You will have to go to a plant store or a feed store to get the vermiculite.  Home Depot or lowes may have it but i have never checked there so i'm not sure.

[girly_gecko_girl]

Thank you everyone!!!!  This is going to sound funny, but....better to ask, than not!  Even if it's weird or silly!

I get the egg all set up in it's enclosure...can I put it in the terrarium that has my House Gecko, on the "cool" side of the terrarium, until it hatches?  That way it will have the heat and humidity and not get knocked over or anything like that by sitting out.  I have a 6 year old and while he's good at NOT touching things when I'm looking, he has a couple friends who are a little too curious.

[firecrested]

It should be ok if the temps are right.  Maybe put somethin on top of the container so the geckos dont knock it over.  you can put on a tall shelf too where the kids cant reach it. 

[smith710]

I think it would be a better idea just to put it on a high shelf.

[firecrested]

Yea. that would be the safest thing.  My friend use to keep his in the crested breeding cage with no problems but i have never tried it.  Mine are always on my shelf.

[girly_gecko_girl]

Thanks for the info.  I ahve looked and called around to various stores for vermiculite & perlite and no one has it out here where I am.  I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Any thing else I can use?  Right now it's still in the pothos soil and covered with moss I had.  It's staying moist, but I want to move it.

[firecrested]

I dont know what else to use    I only use vermiculite.  They may hatch in there but if the adults see them they will eat them.

[Liz]

i dont think they will hatch,  dont know what else to say

[cml3.0]

You can always purchase vermiculite or perlite  over the internet. Just look around, try to look at beanfarm or LLLreptile, ect..

Best of luck!

[ColleenT]

are you Sure? do you have a garden store or a nursery? they should have vermiculite.