Too anxious with first clutch - Did I mess up?

[geckocrazygirl]

I wasn't completely sure my female was gravid until I saw her eggs that were probably in her moist hide for at least 12 hours because I had forgotten to check Saturday morning due to taking my kids to a fall festival. When I saw them I was overly excited - I didn't think she was close to laying so *I am ashamed since I did read that I should have had it ready* I did not have the incubator ready. I quickly got a Tupperware sandwhich box and spangham moss watered to not squeeze out but be wet. I was worried the eggs were left alone to long because they were soft - but didn't dent, but had semi translucent spots... The next day I was anxious so I candled them - one looked firmer and whiter before candling and had a faint pinkish spot. The other looked mostly yellow, and then...I fumbled it, I didn't drop it, but almost. I had it marked and turned it right side up quick and put them both back in the incubator. Today I checked on them and the humidity had dropped to 70 and the one I fumbled was white but shriveled. I added water to the moss and covered the small air holes I had put in. The humidity is now at 82. I want to check to see if the shriveled one is still shriveled - how long should I wait to check on it again? Is there I chance I didn't mess it up if it was fertile before the fumbling and the humidity shrivel?

**female definitely mated with my male several times***

 

[acpart]

First time breeders often lay infertile eggs to begin with. It's likely that's what happened. Leopard gecko eggs are pretty hardy. Most people use perlite, vermiculite or hatchright which I think distributes the moisture better than sphagnum moss. In my opinion, it's best not to mess with the eggs too much. Incubate them till they hatch or stink. Uncover the container briefly every week for air exchange. Good luck with them. Remember, you'll probably get another pair in about 2 weeks.

Aliza