Is Ruby Ovulating?

[Dakota_Ghost]

Hi all,

I purchased my new female Ruby about a month ago. Recently, she has lacked in appetite, and now weighs 46 grams (has lost about 3 grams). I thought she could be ovulating, as I understand that this can sometimes cause a lack of appetite. She still seems fine in herself, active enough, very active in fact. She constantly attempts to climb the sides of her home. Perhaps this sort of behaviour is linked to ovulating geckos? Is she attempting to try and find a mate? Either way, I apologise for the quality of the picture below, as I had to take it on my phone quickly before she moved again. Also, how long does the ovulation process usually last, and what happens, will she lay an egg, or is it absorbed by her body? I first noticed this behaviour and the pink spot on her stomach just over a week ago. I have no intention to breed her, I just would like to know if this is the cause of her lack of appetite and behaviour.

Many thanks,

Dakota

 

[Shera]

I'm definitely no expert, but I'd say it's a definite possibility. I posted this thread a while back because my female had strange whitish pink dots in her belly. I don't know if she was actually ovulating, but just under a month later she layed (infertile) eggs. She lives with a female, so they were definitely infertile. You can see her first egg here (scroll down).

I found that she ate less during this time, but she was definitely still eating to some extent.

 

[Dakota_Ghost]

Thanks for posting those links The thing is, I picked her up from a local herp store about a month ago on the same day that she was delivered by the dealer to the store. So she was litterally in the store for only a matter of minutes before I came and collected her. I can't see why a dealer would sell a gecko to a store that has been with a male, as the chances are they could lose out on possible eggs. Also, she shouldn't have been put with a male at her size of 49g at the time. So, if she does lay eggs in the near future, I hope they are infertile. I really do not want her to lay eggs, and be faced with wondering whether they are fertile or not.

Dakota

 

[OneFootedAce]

yup, she's ovulating.

 

[robin]

yup

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

Yes she is

 

[Dakota_Ghost]

Ok I thought she was, thanks for confirming that.

So, how long does ovulation last for?

What is the chances of her laying an egg?

Apologies for the questions, she's my second leo, so I am relatively new to this.

Dakota

 

[softballstud_1099]

well when bred to a male it could take anywhere from 2 - 4 weeks. At least that is how long my females are taking.

 

[Keith N]

Sure is

 

[ReptilesForTheWin]

She will lay eggs no matter what. If they are fertile or infertile. So you should candle the eggs to be sure. And if they are fertile that doesn't affect the gecko anymore than them being bad eggs.

An egg is an egg. She might be a little bummed that you stole her babies thought.

 

[Chewbecca]

She will lay eggs no matter what. If they are fertile or infertile. So you should candle the eggs to be sure. And if they are fertile that doesn't affect the gecko anymore than them being bad eggs.

An egg is an egg. She might be a little bummed that you stole her babies thought.

I don't know...I've had females that lay fertile eggs, and I've had ones that have laid infertile eggs.
The ones laying the infertile eggs always seems to be drained more than those laying fertile ones.

 

[KelliH]

Sometimes if the eggs aren't fertilized the female will reabsorb them without laying.

 

[Dakota_Ghost]

Thank you for your replies everyone. So, if for example she lays some eggs, and as I'm not sure of her previous history, how can I tell if they are fertile or not? I understand how to candle them, but I'm not sure what I'm looking out for. Also, would I be able to tell if they are fertile straight away after she has layed them?

Dakota

 

[Chewbecca]

Most people suggest incubating eggs no matter WHAT.
Especially if the person they're giving advice to has no idea what a fertile egg looks like.

Typically, infertile eggs start to smell BAD really fast. Usually, they start stinking by the time you find them (which was what happened to us).
I cannot really describe the smell, it's a cross between a death and sulfuric smell.

7-8 times out of ten, if you candle them, you'll see a "bullseye" mark.
It's unmistakeable, usually.
Other times you'll see tiny red blotchy dots and maybe some red lines.
THOSE eggs I'd incubate.

If you get an egg that is nasty and yellow, and super out of shape, it's most likely NOT fertile, though there are exceptions.

It's hard to explain the shape (because I'm not totally good with shapes), but I can tell by seeing the shape of the eggs, usually, if it's good or bad.
I am expecting some females to most likely lay soon, I can snap some pics and show the difference. HOPEFULLY, my eggs will be GOOD.
So at least I'll be able to show you what good eggs look like.:main_yes: