I'm confused

[Chantilace]

Ok so to start I got my bearded dragon Spike about 2 years ago via my ex boyfriend and I went into this with not much knowledge about them. I have no idea how old he is. I'm not even sure if he is a she lol. Anyways, this morning I went to clean his cage and found this (picture attached) in his/her cage. I've been reading for the last hour or so that it might be an infertile egg. He/she has never been in a cage with another beardie and this is the first time since I've had him/her that I've seen this. Can someone confirm or deny what this is for me please!!

 

[PatsyB]

Yep that is an egg, you have a yourself a girl! Has she been around any other dragons recently that may have been male? I don't have experience with egg laying so I don't know what a fertile or infertile egg looks like. I know that you need to make her a lay box so she can lay the rest of them. You need a container with play sand. The sand should be wet but not soaking, she needs to be able to dig a hole to lay the eggs without having the tunnel fall in on her.

You can put the egg in the freezer to kill anything that is inside it before disposing of it.

 

[Chantilace]

Yep that is an egg, you have a yourself a girl! Has she been around any other dragons recently that may have been male? I don't have experience with egg laying so I don't know what a fertile or infertile egg looks like. I know that you need to make her a lay box so she can lay the rest of them. You need a container with play sand. The sand should be wet but not soaking, she needs to be able to dig a hole to lay the eggs without having the tunnel fall in on her.

You can put the egg in the freezer to kill anything that is inside it before disposing of it.

She has never been around another beardie as long as I've had her. Also I felt her belly (I've been reading a lot on this for the last hour) and I don't feel any other eggs or whatnot. And her belly isn't any fatter than usual. It came out with her regular poop and it's pretty soft. I really don't know anything about beardies laying eggs so I thought the eggs would be hard but this is turning out to be an interesting day

 

[jarich]

Reptile eggs are pretty soft skinned normally, unlike bird eggs. She will produce eggs whether in contact with a male or not, so it is something you should get used to happening each year. Depending on the female, some will lay multiple clutches each year too. There is no need to freeze them as there is no chance there is a viable embryo inside without the male around. However, unless she has reabsorbed the rest, there is likely to be more eggs, yes. Its best to put in a lay box for her anyway, and something you should get used to doing each summer from now on. You can simply get a plastic 'shoe box' with a lid (and a hole in the top) and put the moist sand or soil in like Patsy mentioned. She may just lay them randomly like she did this one, but its always best to give them the option so they dont retain them longer than necessary. Also, youll need to make sure you are giving her supplements regularly right now. Lots of high calcium stuff like phoenix worms, earthworms, etc and give them a coating in a multivitamin too. Since its nice outside, some time in the sun will help too.

 

[Chantilace]

Reptile eggs are pretty soft skinned normally, unlike bird eggs. She will produce eggs whether in contact with a male or not, so it is something you should get used to happening each year. Depending on the female, some will lay multiple clutches each year too. There is no need to freeze them as there is no chance there is a viable embryo inside without the male around. However, unless she has reabsorbed the rest, there is likely to be more eggs, yes. Its best to put in a lay box for her anyway, and something you should get used to doing each summer from now on. You can simply get a plastic 'shoe box' with a lid (and a hole in the top) and put the moist sand or soil in like Patsy mentioned. She may just lay them randomly like she did this one, but its always best to give them the option so they dont retain them longer than necessary. Also, youll need to make sure you are giving her supplements regularly right now. Lots of high calcium stuff like phoenix worms, earthworms, etc and give them a coating in a multivitamin too. Since its nice outside, some time in the sun will help too.

Ok I'm running to the store now to get more sand. I have an extra tank I don't use cause it's too small for her to live in but should I use that as a lay box or no? she does fit in it she just can't live in it. I've had her for about 2 years now and this has never happened.

 

[PatsyB]

Thanks @jarich for chiming in! My girl is 2 1/2 and we haven't had any eggs fertile or infertile from her yet.

 

[jarich]

Ya, it does seem to depend on the individual more with dragons. Many other lizards are more consistent with their clutches, but with dragons it seems like its all over the place. Some people have dragons that lay multiple clutches per season. I know one owner whose dragon consistently lays once a month all summer long, others have dragons that reabsorb them without issue. Weird little lizards