Concerned about Ben(ita)

[blackbetty]

OKay. About 4 days ago I found out Ben was a girl...so i put a laying bucket in her cage. She eyes it but wont go near it. Well, today her back concerns me. The first pic is from about a month ago and the rest (with glove) are form today. To me, it looks like a bigger slope on her back side than before, more straight up than diagonal if that makes sense. Im worried about her becoming egg bound since she hasnt been digging or anything. I dont know her age and you all have seen her cage and stuff..Should I fill out once of those question info forms again? She ate 2 superworms and a cricket yesterday and none today.
a month ago

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10 min ago

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[Brad Ramsey]

If your laying bin is good :

deep enough medium
round
vine leading in
moist enough to hold the shape of a tunnel without collapsing

Don't worry.
She will know what to do when the time is right.
If she doesn't eat tomorrow and the next day, you should also cover the sides of her enclosure with paper or cardboard or something to make her feel safe and private.
Once she starts digging ... DO NOT ... disturb her or interrupt her in any way.
If she thinks the area is not safe for the eggs she may abandon the project and then you could have problems.

-Brad

 

[blackbetty]

Does she looks like she will be laying soon? Are the pictures good enough to tell? She wasnt thrilled. I have one that is about 7-8 inches deep with about 2-3 inches on top for her to stand on openly. its about `10-12 inches around and she is only about 5 inches long. There is a vine leading in as well as a stump nearby and the dripper splats off plants and lands on this keeping it moist but not wet.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

She does look gravid to me.
When will she lay?
When she is ready.
They know what to do, Give her privacy.
She will most likely be off her food for several days before she starts to dig.

-Brad

 

[blackbetty]

Thank You. Like I said, she hasnt been eating much in the last few days.. Anything i should look for if she doesnt start digging? Does the bucket sound suitable? Betty laid in substrate on the floor of the cage before we removed it so this laying bin thing is new to me.

 

[blackbetty]

OKay she is climbing down the side of her cage about 3 inches fromt he bucket so Im assuming she is ready. I put a towel over the front of it to give her privacy. How long does the egg laying thing take?

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Don't worry if this isn't "it"
She may check things out for several days before starting.
After she starts digging (and she may take breaks ... again try not to worry)
It will take a day or two.
They work really hard!
Let her bury everything and come back up before disturbing her.

-Brad

 

[kinyonga]

How old is she?

 

[blackbetty]

How old is she?

Wish I knew! I bought her from some people on post who kept her in a closet. I was told "he" was three years old..but apparently "he" isnt because "he" is really small (only about 5-6 inches) and they never mentioned "him" laying eggs before.. Crazy closet people.. How do I keep finding them!?

 

[blackbetty]

She still hasnt laid. I saw her climb towards it but she has yet to get in it..she just goes back up under the backing light after eying the bin for a few minutes. She is eating great though.. heard her crunching away on crickets today.

 

[CleanLineChameleons]

To be honest it looks like she has some MBD. If she is still eating make sure you supplement with calcium and cal w/D3. As far as egg laying...it can take a day or two and sometimes they don't stop eating, sometimes they do. Just make sure you have something for her that is at least 8' deep...my personal preference is a 1/2 organic potting soil and 1/2 play sand mixture that is moist enough where you can make a tunnel. Just be patient and watch her strength. If she appears weak take her to a vet and ask about oxytocin...good luck.

Chris

 

[summoner12]

Just give her time, space and privacy. You can't make her do anything and being nosy and around just slows the process. You don't know if she is ready just because she is getting fat. The indicators are when they stop eating, pacing and a slew of other things. I am sure you looked at your house or car a couple of times before buying it right? well she wants to make sure the bucket is where she wants to lay her offspring. She is going to check it out and walk around it and make sure nothing is around that will bother her or the eggs when she is gone. My girl started digging in her plant pot during the day in full view of me at my desk. as soon as I moved or walked over she would hurry up her vine to her basking spot. I went and got her a bucket type laying bin and placed her in it. She started digging as soon as I was 'gone'.

Give her privacy and leave her alone!

 

[BocaJan]

Sounds like her behavior is pretty normal. That's how mine react when they are getting ready. She may even go in her laying bin and dig a couple of test holes to see if she likes the sand. My ladies are about her size and they are a year. Yes, they are smallish, but they lay well, eat well....maybe just their genes.

Now large..Juliars has a GIANT lol female.

 

[Julirs]

My giant female has been digging (infertiles) for over a week now! She is pretty predictable-when it is really time to lay she stops eating. At the moment she digs, then comes up for food and water, then digs. Privacy is key to this, she is covered with towels and I only try to give her food and water when I hear her come out of the bucket.