My crested gecko is straining to lay eggs. Is she egg-bound?

Ideally, a female crested gecko should be in the 35-40 gram weight range and at least 18 months old. If she's never been with a male, the eggs will be infertile. If she was previously mated, it is possible she may have retained sperm. Female cresties can retain sperm for 6 months or longer. A gravid female will typically lay just two eggs every month during breeding season. Egg binding can be characterized by. A swollen abdomen, lethargy, loss of appetite and frequent straining to lay. This condition should be addressed immediately by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet. You can read more about breeding and egg care here: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/How-to-Breed-Crested-Geckos/

An egg bound gecko will be lethargic, won't eat and may continue to strain in an effort to lay eggs. The key to prevention is to minimize stress, provide proper environmental parameters and diet and provide a lay box or area for her to deposit her eggs when she is ready. You can read more about egg binding at the link below. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1796&aid=3010

Thanks for reaching out about Zoey and including a photo. The nest area should also be warm, and a little moist. Try to encourage her to enter the area. If she ever becomes lethargic, a veterinary visit to induce egg laying, might be in order. Monitor food intake but also defecation. Good luck.

Try soaking her in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte. This may aid in egg laying as well as provide hydration. A gentle abdominal massage may help expel the egg. If this doesn't help, she should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet sooner rather than later.

Provide a lay box or other area for her to lay. Keep her warm and as stress free as possible. If she hasn't mated, the eggs are likely infertile. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or straining to defecate or straining to lay. You may need to have her seen by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles depending on how long it has been.

If Big Momma is pregnant, she will need a warmed hiding space with moss inside to lay her eggs. If she doesn't have a suitable space, she will try to rearrange her home until she makes one, which could be stressful for her. Geckos are commonly nocturnal, so being more tired during the day and active at night is not entirely unusual. Be sure she gets crickets every other day that are properly gut-loaded for 24 hours before offering them to her while she's pregnant. She will likely lay 1-2 eggs about 16-20 days after she mated, and she might lay more eggs every 16-20 days for 4-5 months. Good luck, and I hope Big Momma does well!

February to August is prime mating season for leopard geckos. A gravid (pregnant) female may become lethargic and spend more time on the warm side of the enclosure. Her midsection may begin to swell. Eggs are laid 2-5 weeks after mating. A female does not need a male to lay eggs, she will lay infertile eggs. Eggs should be visible through the thin skin. You can readily see them between her midsection and hind legs as she nears the time to lay. Neither female appears to be gravid but it may be too early to tell. It isn't mating season either but they can retain sperm for months after mating.