Very concerned...

[LeapinLizards]

I have an 8 year old female gecko that I've had for the last 3 years. She was my first gecko (boy did that not last too long!).

For the last month she's been a little tubbier than normal. She's always been a "healthy" girl, but it seems that since I got my male (completely separate tank) she's been verrrry interested in him, and likes to hangout in the corner of her tank that is closest to his.

I picked her up today, and she felt a lot harder than normal. I flipped her around and sure enough...I see eggs. More than 2. I know they are infertile...she hasn't had CONTACT with another leopard gecko for 3 years+.

My question is, what should I do? She's getting huge. She IS eating, same healthy appetite she's always had, great prey drive. Her tank is plenty warm, averaging 86-92* belly heat on the warm side. She does have a moist hide as well. Do I need to supply her with a lay box? Should I start giving her warm baths? I've heard vets will do that, prior to giving them a shot that inducing laying, then the next option is surgery.

Also, another question...I was told that you're not supposed to breed a female as old as 8. Has anyone else ever heard this? Not that I'm thinking of breeding her to my male, just that I am curious

Sorry for all the questions...I just know she's uncomfortable!

Here are a few pictures of Ladybug:

 

[Halley]

I’d go ahead and give her a lay box, and I don’t think it is that you aren’t suppose to breed females older than 8, is it simply that they will have lower egg fertility rates than females that are younger.

 

[LeapinLizards]

I’d go ahead and give her a lay box, and I don’t think it is that you aren’t suppose to breed females older than 8, is it simply that they will have lower egg fertility rates than females that are younger.

Thanks Halley. What is the best lay box substrate? My only female that has laid eggs for me laid them on the ground of her aquarium before I could get her a box (one was fertile and hatched, the other was infertile).

 

[LeapinLizards]

I have some moss, would that work? I know it holds moisture pretty well. I've put it in my male's tank when he was having issues shedding.

 

[MSMD]

What a cutie, Heather! Moss (peat moss, sphagnum, etc.) would be just fine for her laybox. That will give her somewhere to comfortably lay her eggs. Good luck!

 

[LeapinLizards]

Thank you Mari, she really is my love. The sweetest tempered, most docile gecko I have ever come across. I really hope she decides to lay them on her own. I cannot imagine having to take her to the vet. If she doesn't lay them within a week, I'm going to start giving her warm baths. I read in a few different places that is what most vets will do before they either give them a shot, or if it's super bad, surgery.

 

[MSMD]

Sounds like you have a very good handle on things. :main_yes:

Yes, warm baths can help to stimulate them to lay, as well as just having an appropriate laybox. I am hoping she will be just fine for you. She looks very healthy!

BTW, I just love her name! It really fits!

 

[LeapinLizards]

Well I HOPE I'm doing things right. I'm so green at this.

Ladybug was my first, them I have 2 other females and 1 male. I'm still learning! I also just hatched my first egg about 2 weeks ago.

She was sold to me as "Lady" and since I couldn't find it in my heart to change her name of 5 years completely, I added "bug" She's always been extremely healthy, a great eater...with the largest tail I've seen in person. She was eating out of my hand within a day of having brought her home haha.