[windeindoiel]

So this is my first time breeding lizards on purpose, and I honestly don't even know what a fertile egg looks like.

I recently bought a trio of P. picta, and the people who had them before never removed the male, and never gave them any supplements. So naturally they told me that although the females have laid eggs before, they've never been fertile. So for the last month and a half or so I've had the male seperated and have been giving them lots of vitamins (calcium 2x a week, multivitamin 1x a week), and finally one of them laid a couple eggs.

Now the big question is whether or not they're actually fertile. I read that they look kind of pinkish when candled and that they'll have veins if they're fertile, and that they'll look really dark if they're starting to decompose and are no good. I've had these for about 2 weeks now (not sure how long they were in the tank before that , though it couldn't have been more than a week from looking at the female) and at first the bottom quarter of the egg was filled with something light colored, now it's darker in color and it's more like the bottom third is filled with it. I also checked for veins and there are veins under the blob, but not above it where the egg looks empty. Also there's a little pink spot on the top of the eggs.

I don't know what to make of it. Them getting darker has made me think they're no good, but then I noticed the veins. Also they don't smell bad, though I don't know if they get stinky through that hard shell of theirs.

Thanks for the help!

[Riverside Reptiles]

I always treat all eggs as if they are fertile. Never throw them out unless you're 100% sure that they're no good. Trust me, you'll know if they start to rot. In the long run, there's no reason to NOT try to hatch them out.

[windeindoiel]

I thought about it after I posted this and decided that even if I got an overwhelming response on here that they were no good, I don't think I could bring myself to toss them until I was absolutely certain they were rotting.

I still just wish I knew whether I dare be excited or not!

[Riverside Reptiles]

I've been amazed over the years at how many eggs I thought were no good ended up hatching out. It doesn't hurt anything to let them go. So, unless they start to stink or they collapse, just wait and see what happens. In a few months, you may have a nice surprise

[sajane]

it sounds like fertile eggs. if you can see anything in it it's most likely fertile. non fertile eggs are just clear and yellowish. as they develop they become dark. keep them dry. faster hatching will occur if you warm them up. I have quite a few eggs set aside in a container on a shelf that have been hatching after 6 mo !

[josabby]

I've had some eggs sitting in my incubator for about 3 months. They still look solid. Could they still hatch? I've heard different ideas on how long it can take. One person said up to six months.

[sajane]

yes they can hatch

[sajane]

After 3 mo , they should look solid inside or at least you should be able to see the eyes. If its very clear inside the whole egg after 3 mo. prob. not fertile