Brooke Martin
Leopard gecko owners often candle their gecko eggs to determine if they are fertile or infertile. Candling involves holding a bright light, such as a candle, against the egg to observe its internal structure and colour. A healthy gecko egg is typically hard and oval-shaped, while infertile eggs are soft and may be misshapen or shrivelled. By candling, owners can look for signs of a healthy egg, such as a pinkish hue and visible veins, indicating good blood flow. However, some owners prefer to forgo candling to avoid disturbing the eggs and instead opt to incubate the eggs immediately, allowing nature to take its course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Egg candling | To check if the egg is fertile, hold a candle near the egg to check for a pinkish hue or veins |
| Incubation | Eggs need to be incubated to hatch safely, with a temperature between 75-93°F (optimal 85-90°F) and humidity between 85%-95% |
| Egg transfer | Eggs should be transferred from the egg-laying box to the incubator within 1-2 days, without rolling them to avoid damaging the embryo |
| Egg appearance | Healthy eggs are hard and oval-shaped, while infertile eggs are soft and may be misshapen or shrivelled |
| Egg disposal | Infertile eggs can be discarded if there is limited space, but some owners keep them until they show signs of mould or a foul odour |
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What You'll Learn
How to tell if a gecko egg is fertile
There are several ways to determine whether a gecko egg is fertile or not. One popular method is candling, which involves shining a bright light through the egg to observe the development of blood vessels or an embryo inside. A fertile egg will typically display a pink or reddish hue, indicating the presence of growing veins or an embryo. Infertile eggs, on the other hand, often appear pale yellow without any reddish colour.
It is worth noting that candling may not always provide conclusive results, especially in the first few weeks after laying. Therefore, it is recommended to wait for at least a week or even up to four weeks before attempting to candle the eggs. Additionally, each time the eggs are removed from the incubator, the humidity and temperature drop, which can impact the eggs' development. So, it is advisable to candle the eggs without taking them out of their incubation container if possible.
Another method to assess fertility is listening for heartbeats using a stethoscope. This non-invasive approach allows breeders to determine fertility early on without disturbing the eggs. To do this, sanitise the end of the stethoscope and gently place it against the egg's surface. Listen intently for faint rhythmic sounds, which could indicate a heartbeat. The embryonic heart typically starts beating around days 10-14 of incubation, and a healthy heartbeat generally ranges from 90 to 220 beats per minute during early incubation.
One of the earliest signs of a fertile gecko egg is subtle twitching movements inside the egg. These tiny vibrations indicate that the embryo is alive and developing. To observe these movements, a bright light source behind the eggs is recommended. As the embryo grows, the movements will become more noticeable.
It is important to maintain optimal incubation conditions for gecko eggs. The recommended temperature range is between 75-93°Fahrenheit (33° Celsius), with a humidity level between 85%-95%. Additionally, avoid directly spraying the eggs with water to prevent mould growth.
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How to create a gecko egg incubator
To create a gecko egg incubator, you will need a container to use as an incubator. You can purchase an incubator at a store, or you can make one yourself using a small plastic container. If you are making your own, you will need to ensure that the container is adequately moist. To do this, weigh your substrate and add an equal amount of water. For example, if your substrate weighs 3 ounces, add 3 ounces of water. Make sure the ratio is based on weight and not volume. Mix the water with the substrate to create a moist, even mixture in the incubator. Tap water is probably safe, but you can use filtered or bottled water if you want to be extra cautious.
The temperature in your incubator should be between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the eggs immediately after the female lays them so they don't get cold. Use a spoon to pick up each egg and avoid damaging it with your hands. Place each egg carefully in the incubator in the same position it was laid in, as the embryo will die if you flip the egg over.
You can use heat tape or an under-tank heating pad to warm up the incubator. Avoid using heat rocks, as these could burn the gecko. It is important to keep the environment warm and to provide adequate oxygen. Open the lid about once a week to let in some air and check that the eggs look healthy.
It is important to have your incubator ready before your gecko lays eggs so you can transfer the eggs quickly once they are laid.
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How to handle gecko eggs
Handling gecko eggs requires careful attention to ensure the eggs remain healthy and viable. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to handle gecko eggs:
Prepare an Incubator
Before your gecko lays eggs, prepare an incubator to ensure a quick transfer once the eggs are laid. You can purchase a commercial incubator or make your own using a small plastic container. The incubator should maintain a constant temperature to ensure a high hatch rate and healthy embryo development. The ideal temperature range is between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Collect the Eggs
When your gecko lays eggs, carefully collect them using a spoon to avoid damaging them. Remove the eggs from the tank immediately to prevent them from getting cold. Place each egg in the incubator in the same position it was laid, as flipping the egg can kill the embryo.
Maintain Proper Conditions
Maintain the correct humidity levels in the incubator to prevent the eggs from drying out and shriveling. You can regulate humidity by keeping open cups of water inside the incubator. Additionally, create tiny holes on both sides of the container to allow fresh air to circulate and prevent suffocation.
Monitor the Eggs
Check on the eggs daily to ensure the humidity is adequate and no mold is growing. After a couple of weeks, you can use a bright light to candle the eggs, gently illuminating them to observe the development of veins on the inside of the shell.
Hatching
Leopard gecko eggs typically hatch after 35 to 100 days. During hatching, you do not need to intervene. Once the newborn geckos have emerged, leave them alone for about 12 hours as they may be frightened by human presence. After this initial period, carefully transfer the newborns to their new environment, wearing gloves to protect yourself from potential bites.
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How to identify a bad gecko egg
To identify a bad gecko egg, you can use a method called "candle hatching" or "candling". This involves shining a light through the egg to check for fertility. It is important to use a specialized light source, such as an LED headlamp, to avoid overheating the egg.
When candling gecko eggs, you can look for several signs to identify bad eggs:
- Infertile or bad gecko eggs may appear misshapen or shrivelled, with a texture similar to a water balloon.
- Bad eggs may feel papery thin and dent in when gently squeezed, as if they are only half full of liquid.
- After about a week, healthy gecko eggs will feel like firm marshmallows on the outside and will be hard, getting harder over time.
- By candling, you should be able to see the embryo inside a healthy egg. It may appear as a pink colour with visible veins, indicating good blood flow.
If you are unsure whether an egg is bad, it is recommended to leave it in the incubator for another week or so to be sure. It is advised not to discard the eggs until they start decomposing, as sometimes eggs that appear unhealthy can still hatch.
Gecko eggs are sensitive, and it is crucial to handle them with care. Marking the top of the eggs can help prevent accidental damage. Additionally, ensuring the correct temperature and humidity levels in the incubator is vital for the eggs' health.
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How to treat a gecko egg with mould
To candle a gecko egg, one must carefully observe its appearance and texture. Healthy gecko eggs are usually hard and oval-shaped, and they get harder over time. Infertile eggs, on the other hand, are often very soft with a texture akin to a water balloon, and they may also appear misshapen or shrivelled.
Now, to address the issue of mould on gecko eggs:
Firstly, it is important to understand why mould forms on gecko eggs. The primary causes are excessive humidity, contamination, and unviability of the egg. Mould can manifest in various colours, including white, green, red, brown, black, orange, pink, and purple.
If you discover mould on your gecko's eggs, there are several treatment options to consider:
- Iodine solution: Povidone-iodine, in particular, is commonly used to treat sick and injured reptiles and disinfect fish eggs, making it a safe option for gecko eggs.
- UV light exposure: Purchase a UV-C lamp with a remote controller and place it near the mouldy eggs for at least 15 minutes to 2 hours. Ensure you wear UV glasses and gloves during the process, and leave the room once the lamp is set up to avoid direct UV exposure to your skin and eyes.
- Adjust humidity levels: If excessive humidity is the cause of mould, adjust the medium-to-water ratio in your incubator. Different breeders use different ratios, such as 1:1, 1:0.8, or 3:2.
- Scrape off the mould: One gecko owner reported gently scraping off the mould each time it accumulated. However, this may not be a guaranteed solution, as the mould can persist even after such efforts.
It is important to note that a mouldy gecko egg may still successfully hatch if properly treated and incubated. However, if the egg collapses, becomes discoloured, leaks, or emits a foul odour, it should be discarded. Additionally, ensure that you disinfect all equipment and isolate treated eggs from healthy ones to prevent further contamination.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling is the process of checking gecko eggs for a pinkish hue or veins to determine if they are fertile.
Some sources suggest waiting a week before candling gecko eggs, while others recommend waiting 4 weeks.
Hold a candle near the egg, and look for a pinkish hue or veins. Alternatively, use a headlamp instead of a candle to avoid heating the egg.
Place the egg in an incubator. The temperature in the incubator should be between 75 and 93° Fahrenheit (33° Celsius), and the humidity should be between 85% and 95%.
You can discard infertile eggs if there is limited room in your incubator. However, it is recommended to keep all eggs if possible, as sometimes gecko eggs that initially appear unhealthy can still hatch.
