General Care Discussion :: Egg laying

[MMC32879]

I have two RES, a male and a female. My female has been laying a lot of eggs latley. She layed about a dozen a few weeks ago and another dozen or so today. Is it normal for her to be laying this many eggs. More importantly is it healthy?

[adam85491]

I believe it is normal to have up to 30 eggs or so in a clutch. It is healthy but your female should be laying eggs in a large container of dirt with a heat lamp not in the water by the way.

[steve]

It can vary. How old is she and whats her SCL (shell length)?

[DavidY]

Steve, would it also be a good idea to make sure the females get extra food, vitamins and calcium supplements before and after egg laying? I know with bearded dragons, it takes a lot out of them.

[steve]

I do give mine extra cuttlebone when I think she is gravid and some extra protein after egg laying as well - it's an exhaustive project!

[DavidY]

Yea, I know that in some species, excessive breeding may shorten the lifespan of the female. But providing enough nutrition and vitamins/calcium can reduce that likelihood.

[MMC32879]

Like I said, she lays them all the time. I have tried numerous times to get her to lay them in a nesting area but she never does. She always lays them up on the basking platform, usually when no one is around. I will make sure to give her some extra food/vitamins the next time she starts nesting.

[marisa]

Extra calcium is really important, both for the female and for the shells of the eggs.