Need your opinion on gravid female.

[Cainschams]

I just recieved 2 gravid Kinyongia tavetana girls. One looks good but the other girl is missing every toe one her front feet and most on her back her front feet look like mittens.

She looks due to lay anytime now but I fear her mittens wont be very effective for digging. My plan is to wait it out untill she starts to dig or tries, see how she does, then intervene. If I should need to dig her hole should I dig the whole burrow, half of it, or?

Has anyone experienced this? Your input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I have no experience with this situation (poor girl) but I will tell you what I would do.
I would provide her with a laying bin that is filled with a more delicate material than I normally use (ie: very moist coco fiber mixed with peat) and see what she can accomplish on her own.
I think anything more abrasive might cause her to rub raw and break the skin on her toes.
You may need to intervene and in that situation I would dig out a tunnel with a spoon that is mostly complete, still with the softer medium.
Good luck with her, keep us posted.

-Brad

 

[Julirs]

I agree with Brad-in fact I am almost always using just coconut fiber or mix in a little sand-makes it so much easier to dig.

 

[Cainschams]

Thanks guys! Ive been thinking about what would be softest on her. I will try the coconut and sand mix.

 

[haleybobl]

Where do you purchase coconut fiber?

 

[Brad Ramsey]

Where do you purchase coconut fiber?

Garden centers are the best value. It is sold this time of year for starting seedlings.
Pet stores also carry it in compacted bricks that need to be broken apart and/or soaked in water to re-expand.

-Brad