Females Laying Eggs

[SLB1989]

I read that female leopard geckos lay eggs even when there isn't a male around and I had a few questions.

How often do they lay eggs?
How many eggs do they lay?
How old are they when they start laying?
Are they protective over the eggs?
Should I leave them there or throw them away?
How can you tell when they're ready to lay?

Thanks

 

[Grinning Geckos]

Because she hasn't had a male around, the eggs are just duds. You can toss them. Usually, an unmated female will only produce a clutch of eggs every rare now and then...not every 2 - 4 weeks like a mated gecko (and it only takes once for the whole year). A clutch (single lay) will almost always be two eggs, but will occasionally lay one (check her belly to be sure there isn't one still in there). A very productive female can have 10 or more clutches in a year (I forget the record). They can start laying at 6 - 8 months (depending on their weight)...but breeding is best held off til they are at least a year old. They're only minimally protective of their eggs, getting them out shouldn't be a problem. Just don't leave them...they are sure to rot. You can tell she's getting ready to lay when her belly is huge, she slows down on eating, and becomes restless (digging around like crazy).

 

[SLB1989]

Thanks for the advice Grinning Geckos