Gravid? Organs? Ovulation? What is this?? (Pics)

[ghiigh33]

Here is my female Bell albino. She was kept with a male for 5 days and they were just separated yesterday. What is in her belly? Does she look gravid? I witnessed mating but it was brief and she didn't seem iterested, although he did get his tail under hers and seemed to be successfully going for about 10 seconds, but I wasn't sure if this is enough. What does it look like is going on inside her? Could it just be nothing at all?

 

[Daidra]

She is ovulating and means that he was successfull and you should have eggs within 2-4 weeks but mine usually give me eggs in 2 weeks but can go as long as 4 weeks.

 

[ghiigh33]

Thank you. But by saying she is ovulating are you implying she is in the early stages of being gravid? Wouldn't her still being in ovulation mean that he was not successful and she did not accept him even though she is ovulating? I apologize for my questions and I did do loads of research before doing this but these are my questions that come along as I go. You all are very helpful and I am grateful for your help.

 

[TranceZ]

No, females can ovulate and stay in ovulation for awhile without any male being around. From those pics it looks like she was ovulating so if your male was bred to her, she will be laying eggs in the next few weeks.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I see some good-sized ovum developing (fertile or not), and follicles ready close behind.

 

[ghiigh33]

GGG, what is the difference between ovum and follicles? It is the follicles that eventually turn into eggs correct? What do the ovum do?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

The ovaries produce egg follicles that develop into ovum waiting to be fertilized. Once fertilized (and occasionally unfertilized) they start forming a shell which are eggs. The eggs move into the oviducts to develop as the embryo cells begin to divide and form a yolk sack within the egg. After a few weeks, the shell is formed enough for the eggs to be passed.

follicle > ovum > egg

 

[ghiigh33]

Thanks forclarifying we are actually learning about this is bio class now. About gastrulation and those steps and stuff. Pretty interesting, just had trouble relating it to geckos.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Yes, reproductive Biology is fascinating! Especially when it comes to Oviparous animals... specifically ectotherms like reptiles. They do not have a uterus and mammalian reproduction is what we learn in school.