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Is my fat crested gecko pregnant? How to cheaply incubate her eggs?

Updated on September 23, 2025

My crested gecko is really fat and I don't know how you known if it pregnant and if she does lay eggs I need help finding a cheap incubator

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on November 18, 2017

Weight gain and shape are the best indicators of a Crested gecko being gravid. She will need a moist lay box for her eggs. You can search online for an incubator or search local reptile shows if there are any being held near you. The article at the link below describes an easy DIY incubation box.
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/How-to-Breed-Crested-Geckos/

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on March 5, 2018
Cresties do not become sexually mature until about 9 months of age. Breeding should not be done until they are about 12 months of age at the earliest, 18 months of age is better, and at least 40 grams in weight. Some Cresties breed year round, but in nature, they will breed more during the warmer months (February/March until September/October).
A gravid (pregnant) female will eat more and gain weight after a successful mating. She will lay just two eggs about 30 days after mating. Sometimes, late in the gestation, you can see the eggs through the abdominal wall. An appropriate area or lay box will need to be provided for her to deposit her eggs.
You can read about Crested Gecko care at the links below. If you are not experienced, I would suggest not breeding until you learn more about the species through research as well as by contacting and speaking with other breeders.

http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Lizards/Crested-Gecko/
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/How-to-Breed-Crested-Geckos/
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My crested gecko looks swollen. Is she egg bound or just fat?

Ideally, a female crested gecko should be in the 35-40 gram weight range and at least 18 months old. If she's never been with a male, the eggs will be infertile. If she was previously mated, it is possible she may have retained sperm. Female cresties can retain sperm for 6 months or longer. A gravid female will typically lay just two eggs every month during breeding season. Egg binding can be characterized by. A swollen abdomen, lethargy, loss of appetite and frequent straining to lay. This condition should be addressed immediately by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet. You can read more about breeding and egg care here: http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/How-to-Breed-Crested-Geckos/

Updated on September 23, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My leopard gecko seems pregnant. How do I confirm and what to do?

If Big Momma is pregnant, she will need a warmed hiding space with moss inside to lay her eggs. If she doesn't have a suitable space, she will try to rearrange her home until she makes one, which could be stressful for her. Geckos are commonly nocturnal, so being more tired during the day and active at night is not entirely unusual. Be sure she gets crickets every other day that are properly gut-loaded for 24 hours before offering them to her while she's pregnant. She will likely lay 1-2 eggs about 16-20 days after she mated, and she might lay more eggs every 16-20 days for 4-5 months. Good luck, and I hope Big Momma does well!

Updated on September 23, 2025

My crested gecko is straining to lay eggs. Is she egg-bound?

If she is straining to lay, she could be egg bound. She should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Incubation time is temperature dependent but typically averages around 70 days.

Updated on September 23, 2025

My leopard gecko is plump. Is she pregnant or is it mating season?

February to August is prime mating season for leopard geckos. A gravid (pregnant) female may become lethargic and spend more time on the warm side of the enclosure. Her midsection may begin to swell. Eggs are laid 2-5 weeks after mating. A female does not need a male to lay eggs, she will lay infertile eggs. Eggs should be visible through the thin skin. You can readily see them between her midsection and hind legs as she nears the time to lay. Neither female appears to be gravid but it may be too early to tell. It isn't mating season either but they can retain sperm for months after mating.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My female gecko is egg bound. How do I help her lay eggs safely?

Thanks for reaching out about Zoey and including a photo. The nest area should also be warm, and a little moist. Try to encourage her to enter the area. If she ever becomes lethargic, a veterinary visit to induce egg laying, might be in order. Monitor food intake but also defecation. Good luck.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My baby crested gecko is too skinny, but I see poop. What's wrong?

Submit a stool sample to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites. Offer fresh crested gecko diet daily. Repashy or Pangea are brands I recommend. You can also offer appropriately sized prey (crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, etc). Be sure to gut load them for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Confirm proper environmental parameters. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in reptiles.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Training & Behavior

Can I house adult and juvenile crested geckos together? How to sex them?

Keeping them together would not be recommended. The adult may see the juvenile as prey and may try to eat him/her. Cresties can be tricky to sex, especially when young. If yours weighs at least 10-15 grams, you may be able to see pores using a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe. You may see the beginnings of a bulge at around 30 grams body weight. If you are unsure, have him/her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.

Updated on September 23, 2025

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