Are my geckos eggs fertile?

[KathrynJade]

My gecko laid her eggs on April 27th, 2013. This is my first time to ever have a gecko lay eggs so I don't know much on how to tell if they're fertile. I've candled them and there is red veins at the top of both, but I'm still not 100% positive and I'd really like some help from someone more experienced. PS; The eggs have only been on the paper towel for a week because I haven't had the money for vermiculite, but I am getting some tomorrow for them and future eggs.

Egg 1:
Egg 2:

 

[acpart]

Indications are that they're fertile but the only way to know is to incubate them and wait and see what happens. Good luck.

Aliza

 

[Nocturnalnature]

The first egg is definitely fertile. With the second egg it appears the blood vessels have become diffused, which may indicate the egg is no longer viable. I would, however, still incubate it since it shows no signs of decay.
If you have a garden center or home improvement store near you, you can typically find vermiculite very easily.
I have been using the kind Lowes sells for well over a decade and have never had any problems whatsoever.
Costs about 4 bucks for a nice big bag.

 

[KathrynJade]

Thank you for helping me. I figured the first one was but not so much the 2nd one. My gecko had actually laid her eggs in water and I think that one had gotten turned in the process of it. Also, we went to lowes and got some perlite but it was the MiracleGro kind and I've heard you're not really supposed to use that kind because of the chemicals on it. If that's true, I have to leave them on the paper towel. So far they're doing fine. The humidity is just right and in my opinion, I think the eggs or egg looks like its/they're growing bigger. I always check the eggs every day to make sure the few on the top of the lid doesn't get on the eggs and I most the paper towel when I notice that it gets dry. I think I'm doing good so far with them.

 

[Nocturnalnature]

You're very welcome.
If this is the Perlite you bought don't use it. It has additives that could very well be harmful to the eggs.
Shop Miracle-Gro 8-Quart Perlite at Lowes.com

Here is a link to the Vermiculite I have been using for ages. I've had good luck with it, and hatched everything from tortoise eggs, all the way through to Aussie gecko eggs.
Shop Garden Time 8-Quart Vermiculite at Lowes.com

Anyway,
Sounds like you are doing well with what you have on hand. Just be careful with direct contact moisture. Too little moisture is usually better than too much. I would concentrate on ambient humidity instead of the eggs having direct contact with moisture. You can actually incubate them on no substrate provided the humidity in the incubation container is adequate.

 

[KathrynJade]

I'll definitely go and buy that kind of vermiculite when I get the money for it. I don't mist the eggs when I get the paper towel a little moist after it dries up. I remove them very carefully and I mist just a bit and then I put the eggs back very carefully. It's already very humid where I live so I have holes in the Tupperware container lid to air it ou and so there isn so much humidity. I'm just trying to use why resources I have right now and I think I'm doing an okay job with my first eggs.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I'll definitely go and buy that kind of vermiculite when I get the money for it. I don't mist the eggs when I get the paper towel a little moist after it dries up. I remove them very carefully and I mist just a bit and then I put the eggs back very carefully. It's already very humid where I live so I have holes in the Tupperware container lid to air it ou and so there isn so much humidity. I'm just trying to use why resources I have right now and I think I'm doing an okay job with my first eggs.

Good idea to get the vermiculite as soon as you can . That will keep the humidity more constant. Safest to handle the eggs very little. Have you placed just one small dot on the top of each egg with an ultrafine Sharpie just in case the egg accidentally gets turned?

 

[KathrynJade]

I put the dot on them right before I put them in the Tupperware tub. I've done a lout of research on geckos and eggs. I'm quite obsessed. x3

 

[KathrynJade]

I'm scared. My fertile egg keeps denting in. Whenever I open the Tupperware tub it goes right back to normal and is plump. Is that normal for an almost 2 week old egg? D:

 

[KathrynJade]

Both eggs have started to dent now. D:

 

[Nocturnalnature]

Based on your information regarding incubation, I'd say it is humidity related.
If you can't afford the vermiculite then give this a try. Find a container that is about 3-4 inches tall for the eggs with no holes in it, and a tightly fitting lid. Add 1/2 inch of water and then slowly place a 1 1/2 inch layer of washed gravel on top of the water (gravel from a driveway will work in a pinch, just wash it extremely well). Make sure you don't splash the water onto the upper layer of gravel, as this should remain dry throughout the entire incubation period. Gently place the eggs on top of the gravel, put the lid on, and gently place in the incubator without sloshing the water around. Once a week "burp" the container by gently popping the lid off and allowing an air exchange.
If you end up with large droplets of water on the inside of the lid you can poke one or two very small holes in the lid to alleviate this issue. They don't need to be large though, so err on the conservative side.

Provided the eggs are still viable they will likely plump back up in a few days, however if they don't, do not throw them out until there is obvious signs that the embryo has died.
Best of luck

 

[KathrynJade]

Thank you so much, I will definitely try the idea with thue rocks. I have holes in the Tupperware tub I have now because its really humid here where I live. It looks like the fertile egg is trying to plump back up though. I'm still leaving the other one in even though when I candle it, it's yellow with no veins at all.