Brooke Martin
Leopard geckos tend to lay oval-shaped eggs, which are usually around the same size as a human thumb, or between one and one-and-a-half inches. If you're curious about the embryo's development, you can candle the eggs by holding a small candle near them, allowing you to see the embryo inside. Infertile eggs may be misshapen, shrivelled, or have a soft, balloon-like texture. They may also feel papery thin and dent in, and they will glow yellow when candled. On the other hand, fertile eggs will have a network of veins and will glow pink when candled. It is important to handle the eggs carefully and use an incubator to maintain the proper temperature and humidity to ensure successful hatching.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | Oval |
| Size | Between one and one and a half inches |
| Colour | White |
| Candling | Hold a candle near the egg to see the embryo inside |
| Infertile | Soft, squishy, marshmallow-like, water balloon-like, or papery thin; may also be misshapen or shrivelled |
| Fertile | Soft but not squishy, with a bullseye shape ring of veins near the top; egg will glow pink when candled |
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What You'll Learn
How to candle leopard gecko eggs
To candle leopard gecko eggs, you will need to check for fertility and monitor the embryo's development. It is important to handle the eggs carefully and as little as possible to avoid accidental damage. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to candle leopard gecko eggs:
Prepare the Equipment:
You can use a specialised egg candler, or alternatively, an LED headlamp can be used to avoid overheating the egg. If using a headlamp, cover all but the centre of the light with black electric tape.
Check for Fertility:
Examine the eggs by holding the light source near them. Infertile eggs will often have a soft, watery texture and may be misshapen or shrivelled. Fertile eggs will have a bullseye ring of veins near the top, and the egg will glow pink when candled. Infertile eggs will glow yellow.
Monitor Development:
During incubation, you can candle the eggs to observe the embryo's development. As the embryo grows, you will see a network of veins spreading throughout the egg. You may even observe movement, such as a small tail waving inside the egg.
Feel the Eggs:
After a week, healthy eggs will feel like firm marshmallows on the outside and will be full of fluid when gently squeezed. Bad eggs will feel papery thin and dent in, feeling only half full of liquid.
Maintain Incubation Conditions:
Ensure the incubator temperature remains between 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, monitor the humidity levels, as too high or too low can cause the eggs to fail. Signs of failure include dents and mould formation. While dents can be corrected with damp moss, infertile eggs cannot be salvaged.
Remember to be patient and careful throughout the process, and always handle the eggs gently to give them the best chance of hatching successfully.
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What do fertile eggs look like
To determine whether a leopard gecko egg is fertile or not, a process called candling is used. This involves shining a bright light on the eggs to see what is inside them. The egg can be candled without removing it from the incubator, which is important as removing it can disrupt the temperature and humidity inside.
Fertile eggs will have a bullseye shape of veins near the top, with a network of veins spreading throughout the egg during development. They will also glow pink during candling and will stay white and grow in size during incubation if conditions are correct. The embryo inside the egg should also be visible when candled.
Infertile eggs will glow yellow during candling and will remain the same yellow/white colour throughout. They will also be squishy, like a marshmallow, and may be papery thin.
It is normally possible to tell immediately if the eggs are fertile by candling them, but this is not always the case in the first few days after laying. Therefore, it is recommended to candle the eggs after a week or so and check for a pinkish hue or veins.
It is important to note that even if an egg appears to be yellow inside, it should still be allowed to incubate if there is a small chance it is fertile. Additionally, correct incubation conditions are crucial, as incorrect temperatures and/or humidity can cause problems and lead to the egg failing.
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What do infertile eggs look like
Infertile leopard gecko eggs may exhibit one or more of the following indications: decay and mould, a consistent yellow or white colour throughout, a soft and watery texture, misshapen or shrivelled appearance, and dents. After 2–3 weeks, infertile eggs may begin to cave in, collapse, and grow mould or fungus. Additionally, infertile eggs will not show any signs of movement or development, even after the first two weeks of incubation.
One of the best ways to determine if leopard gecko eggs are fertile is to examine the egg veins. As the embryo inside the egg develops, it will need a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, which is delivered through a network of veins that become more prominent over time. Fertile eggs will initially have a faint spiderweb-like network of veins on the surface, which will become thicker and more noticeable as the gecko embryo grows.
During candling, fertile eggs will glow pink, while infertile eggs will glow yellow. Furthermore, fertile eggs will exhibit specific developments, such as a darkened embryo shape, dark veins or blood vessels, and a darkened air pocket. These signs indicate that the egg has been fertilized and is progressing in embryonic development.
It is important to note that infertile leopard gecko eggs can sometimes go on to hatch, and the appearance of the eggs may improve over time. Therefore, if there is sufficient space in the incubator, it is recommended to retain all the eggs rather than discarding the potentially infertile ones.
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How to incubate leopard gecko eggs
To begin the incubation process for leopard gecko eggs, you will need an incubator. You can either buy one or make one yourself. If you do not have an incubator, you can consider freezing the eggs.
Once you have an incubator, you must maintain a temperature between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It is crucial to keep the eggs at this temperature immediately after they are laid, so they do not get cold. Use a spoon to carefully pick up each egg and transfer it to the incubator to avoid damaging the eggs with your hands.
During the incubation process, you should candle the eggs to check for fertility. Candling involves holding a candle near the egg to see the embryo inside. If the egg is fertile, you will see a bullseye shape ring of veins near the top, and the egg will glow pink. Infertile eggs, on the other hand, will have a texture similar to a water balloon and may be misshapen or shrivelled. They will also glow yellow when candled and can be discarded if there is limited room in the incubator.
While incubating the eggs, it is important to maintain the proper temperature and humidity levels. If the conditions are not optimal, the eggs may show signs of failure, such as dents or mould. Dents can be corrected by adding damp moss on top of the egg, while mould can be gently wiped off with a cotton bud.
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How to care for leopard gecko eggs
To care for leopard gecko eggs, you need to incubate them to allow them to hatch safely. You should have an incubator ready before your gecko lays eggs so that you can transfer the eggs quickly once they are laid. You can use a store-bought incubator or make your own. To make your own, you can use a small plastic container.
When the female gecko lays eggs, remove them immediately from the tank so they don't get cold. Use a spoon to pick up each egg to avoid damaging it with your hands. Then, carefully place the eggs in the incubator in the same position they were laid, as the embryo will die if you flip the egg over. The temperature in your incubator should be between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can candle leopard gecko eggs to determine if they are fertile. This involves holding a candle near the egg to see the embryo inside. If the egg is fertile, you will see a bullseye shape ring of veins near the top. During development, you will see the network of veins spreading throughout the egg, and the egg will glow pink when candled. Infertile eggs will glow yellow and may be very soft, misshapen, or shrivelled in appearance. However, handle the eggs as little as possible to reduce the chance of accidental damage.
If you see the eggs start to hatch, marked by the eggs cracking and geckos emerging, you do not need to intervene. Leave the newborns alone for 12 hours, as they will be very frightened of people at first. After this, carefully pick them up and transfer them to their new environment. You may want to wear gloves when handling newborns, as they may bite.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling is holding a candle near a gecko egg to see the embryo inside.
A fertile leopard gecko egg will have a bullseye shape ring of veins near the top and will glow pink when candled.
Infertile leopard gecko eggs are very soft and have a texture similar to a water balloon. They may also be misshapen or shrivelled. Infertile eggs will glow yellow when candled.
You can candle leopard gecko eggs by keeping them in their incubation container and holding a candle or an LED headlamp near the egg.
A bad leopard gecko egg will feel papery thin and dent in. It will also be very squishy, similar to a marshmallow.
