Dying Gravid Female Pygmy Cham

[Tazjunky]

Hi guys,

So after a few harrowing days of my poor little pygmy cam getting sunken eyes, it looks like she may be about to die. She has been sitting on the bottom of the tank, very weak and not moving around.

My partner has just called to say that the Monica the Pygmy was laying on her side trying to eat a cricket and not being able to move much.

The thing is, we think she is gravid and has been since we got her as she was massive in comparison to the other females. she was quite tubby around the waist, although this seemed to fluctuate, but if you put her on your hand or if she is on the substrate she fills out.

I fear she may die before I get home later this afternoon and im a little sad as she was my favourite cham, she always drank right out of the end of the spray can. they tanks were heavily misted 2-3 times a day and she would always drink. the crickets have been dusted with calcium eavery other day and vitamins every week.

The thing is, if she is gravid, should I try to get the eggs out? I know its completely morbid as she isnt dead yet and we have no conclusive proof she is gravid, but what should I do?

 

[Tazjunky]

unfortunately she died before I got home but did die in my partners hand which im thankful for. its funny how something so small gets a place in your heart.

So back to the unthinkable........I decided that if she was gravid, then it was best to try and get a positive outcome from it. And look what I found........

This is with the flash, they look a little yellow, Im hoping that that means they were due to be laid and are not bad...?

Here is one in day light with no flash

 

[dartfrog]

Hi there, Im so sorry to here your little girl is so poorly, Pygmy chams can be very problematic if they are WC, most of the females come in gravid, & very stressed so have a lot of problems laying, Im sure its nothing youve done wrong! About 4 yrs ago I had the same problem my poor girl was massive, she sadly didnt make it so I plucked up the courage to try & save her eggs, quite a delicate operation thou. Poor thing had 6 in total which is a lot for a Brev, I take it this is the species you have as well? They all looked perfect, & 90 days later I had 5 little ones, 1 was infertile. 2 lived for 3yrs so def worth a go! All the best with her Heatherxxx

 

[dartfrog]

Im so sorry you lost her I know how heartbreaking it is! The eggs look really good thou mine were very slightly yellow as well so dont worry. Well done Heatherxx

 

[Tazjunky]

Thanks Heather, yes she as R.Brevs. she will be missed to say the least, she had such a great personality.

tel me, how did u store the eggs?
I have put them into some fresh eco-earth that is damp, but i havnt covered them in soil, do u think I should?

I was caught completely off guard with her dying and was not prepared at all.

 

[gary1621]

Oh Mike
Sad sad news! I'm sorry mate.

Well done on getting the eggs out of her. You knew they were in there. Good luck with them. Lets hope some of their mother's personality is in them

I wonder if having to harvest them will affect the time it takes for them to hatch?

I think if you put a lid on the tub that keeps the humidity up, so they shouldnt need covering.

 

[Tazjunky]

Thanks Gary, im proper gutted. she was such a good cham and would drink from the end of the spray bottle. so sad!

But yes on the plus, 3 little eggs! Im not sure if it will affect the hatching etc with having to harvest them? one of the eggs was around 9-10mm in length so im not sure if that is a normal size or if she was retaining them for some time?

I really dont know hence all the panic in my posts!
fingers crossed I have some little Monicas in the summer that i can teach to drink from the spray bottle too!

 

[jannb]

I am very sorry for your loss. These little animals have a way to get right to our hearts.

 

[reptimanny]

I am very sorry for your loss. These little animals have a way to get right to our hearts.

Thats the only problem of getting one in the first place. You know they are going to die someday. Just appreciate them now while you can cause they wont be there forever.

 

[dartfrog]

Hi Mike
I used ecoearth for mine as well, no need to cover them, I also added some sphagnum moss around the edges of the container, it has anti fungal properties as it is acidic, but they should be fine as they are. Just keep at room temp if possible I think if they are kept too warm & hatch earlier they arnt such strong babies. Ive 3 at the moment all little girls I think that are doing well theyre 5 months now, thats how I incubated them. Heatherxxx

 

[Tazjunky]

I have already covered them! doh!
I will also place some moss in the tub as well so that it helps get the little ones hatched!