Egg or organs?
- Thread starter drbj_88
- Start date
Yoshi'smom
New member
She looks like she could be gravid. At least to my eyes, it looks like eggs developing. I would provide her with a lay box so that she doesn't become egg bound. Do you know what her weight is?
Yoshi'smom
New member
She just looks very thin. She looks like she needs to add a ton of weight. I'd be very afraid of a calcium crash or her becoming egg bound.
What are you feeding her and how often and are you dusting and gut loading prey?
I would recommend getting some wax worms to feed her to help her gain a bit of weight. But also know that wax worms are high in fat and should be fed sparingly on a regular basis. I feel like since she's this small, she could really benefit from additional fat, especially if she's producing eggs.
What are you feeding her and how often and are you dusting and gut loading prey?
I would recommend getting some wax worms to feed her to help her gain a bit of weight. But also know that wax worms are high in fat and should be fed sparingly on a regular basis. I feel like since she's this small, she could really benefit from additional fat, especially if she's producing eggs.
I do know she is thin, she has actually gained a little weight since I got her. I didn't know much about them then, but I knew enough to know she wasn't being cared for properly. She's getting put 3-4 medium crickets and 3-4 mealworms in her tank every night, and she's eating most of them. I give her about 3 wax worms a week right now (and will cut back once she is a little fatter). I knew just by her tail alone was a little underfed. And I dust with multivitamin once a week, calcium + d3 every feeding, and she has a calcium dish in her tank (pure calcium, no d3).
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JessJohnson87
New member
Have you tried some hornworms? Those are great for underweight geckos as well, helps keep them hydrated. She will either lay eggs or absorb them, if those are in fact eggs.
Doesn't look gravid to me...
Usually the eggs are lower down, and you can see a dark vein leading towards it, which is how the eggs get nutrients. Judging by her tail size, she hopefully isn't gravid, but to me it doesn't look like she is. That looks like a pretty strange organ, though. Also, a lay box will not keep them from becoming egg bound. When they're egg bound they are not strong or large enough to get the egg out, and it usually causes them to die. I would try to take her to a vet; they don't cost much for reptiles. Also, try feeding her small hornworms or waxworms; but don't let her only eat waxworms so she doesn't get addicted. You probably know all of this, but if she is gravid or ovulating you should try to get her to gain some weight. Did you get her from a pet store? They're not always well informed or reliable. Good luck.
Usually the eggs are lower down, and you can see a dark vein leading towards it, which is how the eggs get nutrients. Judging by her tail size, she hopefully isn't gravid, but to me it doesn't look like she is. That looks like a pretty strange organ, though. Also, a lay box will not keep them from becoming egg bound. When they're egg bound they are not strong or large enough to get the egg out, and it usually causes them to die. I would try to take her to a vet; they don't cost much for reptiles. Also, try feeding her small hornworms or waxworms; but don't let her only eat waxworms so she doesn't get addicted. You probably know all of this, but if she is gravid or ovulating you should try to get her to gain some weight. Did you get her from a pet store? They're not always well informed or reliable. Good luck.
Yoshi'smom
New member
It's a possibility. Since she's so skinny, I'm wondering if the egg is just being pushed forward and that's why it appears so high up inside her. And he said that the person he got her from said she may be gravid. Chances are that she is.
I have experience with gravid female geckos, just not leopard geckos.
Either way, I'd recommend a vet visit just in case since she's so skinny.
I found a picture that illustrates what I'm seeing in your gecko. I just see one egg though (which can happen).
I have experience with gravid female geckos, just not leopard geckos.
Either way, I'd recommend a vet visit just in case since she's so skinny.
I found a picture that illustrates what I'm seeing in your gecko. I just see one egg though (which can happen).
Placed a call to my vet friend. Upon further inspection, she is NOT gravid! It is an organ, but didn't specify which. She has put on some weight since this picture, and her tail is getting thicker. Thank you all!
I just placed an order for hornworms last night, thank you for the suggestion.
Also, I was able to reach the person I got her from. He said that he thought she may be gravid because she had been in with a male late last year, but she never laid any eggs at all and that was 6 months ago.
I also tend to believe this guy had no idea what he was doing, because she wasn't very well taken care of. Her set up was completely wrong when I got it, I redid everything. He didn't even have a heat pad for her, he was using heat lamps only. I actually ended up taking in a hatchling from him (which he had received in trade, and passed along to me).
I'm not claiming to be an expert in them, by any means, but at least I've had the sense to do some research. These are the first leo's for me, I've mostly worked with frogs and toads.
I just placed an order for hornworms last night, thank you for the suggestion.
Also, I was able to reach the person I got her from. He said that he thought she may be gravid because she had been in with a male late last year, but she never laid any eggs at all and that was 6 months ago.
I also tend to believe this guy had no idea what he was doing, because she wasn't very well taken care of. Her set up was completely wrong when I got it, I redid everything. He didn't even have a heat pad for her, he was using heat lamps only. I actually ended up taking in a hatchling from him (which he had received in trade, and passed along to me).
I'm not claiming to be an expert in them, by any means, but at least I've had the sense to do some research. These are the first leo's for me, I've mostly worked with frogs and toads.
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Yoshi'smom
New member
I do know that they can retain sperm for up to a year, so on the side of caution, I would still provide her with a lay box just in case.
Perhaps because she's so thin, her body is unable to produce eggs at this time, but once you fatten her up, her body may start to produce them because she's been with a male (and could have possibly retained sperm).
Rather be safe than sorry!
Perhaps because she's so thin, her body is unable to produce eggs at this time, but once you fatten her up, her body may start to produce them because she's been with a male (and could have possibly retained sperm).
Rather be safe than sorry!
I've left her lay box in the cage, just in case. I realize they can retain sperm, so I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up laying some in a few months once she fattens up. I just didn't want to risk her harm being as she's still on the skinny side. I'm fixing up a bigger more natural tank for her for when she's a little healthier. I'm excited!
Yoshi'smom
New member
Awesome!! It sounds like you're the angel in her life. Thanks for helping her out. She really needed you.