Crested geckos are fascinating little creatures, and if you’re a proud owner, you may find yourself wondering about their reproductive habits. One exciting aspect of crested gecko ownership is the possibility of eggs. But how to tell if crested gecko eggs are fertile? In this guide, we’ll explore this intriguing topic in everyday language, making it easy for you to understand.
Understanding Crested Gecko Reproduction
Before we dive into the fertile or not-so-fertile eggs, let’s briefly touch on how crested geckos reproduce. These geckos are quite unique in their reproductive habits. They’re oviparous, which means they lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young.
Crested geckos typically reach sexual maturity around 9 to 12 months of age, but this can vary from gecko to gecko. When they’re ready, they may engage in courtship rituals, followed by the female laying eggs, which are often hidden in a suitable spot within their enclosure.
The Egg-Laying Process
Crested geckos can lay eggs regardless of whether there’s a male around. These are called infertile eggs, which are essentially practice runs for the females. However, if there’s been some gecko romance in the enclosure, you might be looking at fertile eggs.
What Do Fertile Crested Gecko Eggs Look Like?
Here’s where things get interesting. Fertile crested gecko eggs look quite similar to infertile ones, especially to the untrained eye. The key difference lies within the eggs themselves. You won’t notice anything unusual by merely looking at the outside.
To determine fertility, you need to take a closer look inside the egg. Here’s how you can do it
Candling Method
Candling is a simple and non-invasive way to check if a crested gecko egg is fertile. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Wait a bit Give the eggs some time to develop. Usually, it takes around 10 to 15 days before you can reliably check for fertility.
Step 2: Find a dark space In a dark room, use a small, gentle flashlight or a similar light source. The goal is to create a soft, diffused light.
Step 3: Shine the light Gently place the egg against the light source. You should be able to see inside the egg without causing any harm.
Step 4: Look for veins If the egg is fertile, you’ll see tiny, spider-like veins within the egg, often forming a network. These veins are the developing blood vessels of the gecko embryo.
Step 5: Absence of veins If the egg is infertile, it will appear clear, and you won’t see any veins inside.
Important Notes
It’s essential to handle the eggs with great care during candling. Avoid shaking or dropping them, as this can harm the developing embryo, whether the egg is fertile or not.
False Positives
It’s important to note that candling might not always give you a clear answer. Sometimes, it can be challenging to spot veins, especially in the early stages of development. If you’re uncertain, it’s often best to leave the egg alone and check it again in a week or so.
What to Do with Fertile Eggs
If you discover that your crested gecko has laid fertile eggs, congratulations are in order! Here are some steps to consider:
1. Leave Them Be
Crested geckos are excellent parents. They’ll often lay their eggs in a suitable location within their enclosure. If you’ve provided a secure and comfortable environment, it’s best to leave the eggs where they are.
2. Provide Proper Incubation
You can incubate the fertile eggs outside the enclosure if you prefer more control over the process. Set up a separate incubation container with a moist, but not wet, substrate. Maintain appropriate temperature and humidity levels to ensure healthy development.
3. Patience
Incubation can take several months, so be patient. Keep an eye on the temperature and humidity, but avoid disturbing the eggs unnecessarily.
4. Hatching
Once the eggs start hatching, you’ll witness the wonder of baby crested geckos emerging. Ensure they have a suitable enclosure ready to welcome them into their new world.
Final Thoughts on How to Tell if Crested Gecko Eggs Are Fertile?
Determining whether crested gecko eggs are fertile isn’t complicated, thanks to the straightforward candling method. If you’re ever in doubt, remember that nature often takes its course, and crested geckos are pretty skilled at parenting.
Breeding these geckos can be a rewarding experience, but it’s also important to be prepared for the responsibility of caring for hatchlings. If you ever decide to embark on this journey, remember to provide these tiny geckos with the care and attention they need to thrive. Enjoy the wonder of your crested gecko’s reproductive journey and the potential for new life in your gecko family.
* Images in this article are generated with the help of Generative AI tools