Can eggs be taken away from a leopard gecko?

[Wizard]

I recently adopted a pair and i know from the previous owner that the female has layed eggs, but they were unfertilized. This is no surprise as the conditions were wrong.

I dont want to get absolutely flamed for this topic but i cant afford to bring up babies...i didnt go out and BUY a pair, and then expect them not to get giggy but, i'd like to know if the female will be affected if the eggs are removed?

If it happens, and i can take the eggs away, i will find someone who wants to incubate them and find homes for them.

So does anyone know if this is a viable option?

Thanks,

Wizard.

Obviously if i have no other option, then i will leave her to do her thing and hope i can find homes the offspring.

[Lisasgeckonursery]

they don't get upset or anything if you take away the eggs, people do it all the time to incubate them. if they're not fertilised you can bin them but if you don't want to breed then i wouldn't recommend keeping a pair ie male and female as it will just stress the females system making eggs for no good reason plus he'll bother her all the time.

[Wizard]

Uh-oh...i think my knowledge just ran out!

I thought females laid eggs regardless of whether there was a male around or not?

Is my only option to separate them?

[Lisasgeckonursery]

They can but not always and they will be infertile. if there is a male he will badger her to mate and she will lay fertilised eggs. The fertilised eggs can be bigger and put more strain on her system using excess calcium etc.

[Lisasgeckonursery]

Originally Posted by Wizard

Uh-oh...i think my knowledge just ran out!

I thought females laid eggs regardless of whether there was a male around or not?

Is my only option to separate them?

Maybe get another female so he can split his advances between them.

[Wizard]

Originally Posted by about_a_girluk

The fertilised eggs can be bigger and put more strain on her system using excess calcium etc.

Ah yes...i see your point.

Originally Posted by about_a_girluk

Maybe get another female so he can split his advances between them.

I cant really get another female as these two are in a 24"x12" viv...i wouldnt want to shoe horn another female in there.

Damn it! i need to re-evalute the situation here.

I wish i had thought about babies a bit sooner...i just really didnt want the kid to give these reps to one of his mates who would probably have even less clue than he did, plus there was the fact that i really wanted them...i just really thought there would be a way to deal with the possiblity of babies...like giving the eggs to a breeder to care for.

I'd hate to give one away but i dont want babies and i cant afford a another viv to keep her away from his advances. She does hide away (apart from when the crix come her way), could this be becuase he harrasses her!?

[SleepyD]

I'd hate to give one away but i dont want babies and i cant afford a another viv to keep her away from his advances. She does hide away (apart from when the crix come her way), could this be becuase he harrasses her!?

as said males will pester/stress females if kept with them which is why many breeders keep the boys seperate and unfortunately the females are under enough stress etc being gravid and producing eggs without the extra stress etc of a male which could lead to possible health problems ie egg-binding, non-eating, severe weight loss.
I really would advise seperating them plus if you don't want the eggs chilling any eggs that are laid if you cannot raise/incubate them.

[Wizard]

Originally Posted by SleepyD

as said males will pester/stress females if kept with them which is why many breeders keep the boys seperate and unfortunately the females are under enough stress etc being gravid and producing eggs without the extra stress etc of a male which could lead to possible health problems ie egg-binding, non-eating, severe weight loss.
I really would advise seperating them

i cant have this...she is such a lovely little thing...i'd hate for her to be unhappy. She is a touch on the slim side although she has a fantastic appetite.

Originally Posted by SleepyD

plus if you don't want the eggs chilling any eggs that are laid if you cannot raise/incubate them.

What does this mean?? aborting the eggs?

i'm guessing they wont really be bothered if they are separated?

[Lisasgeckonursery]

buy a plastic storage box with lid and melt air holes, loads of people do it (they get called RUBs a lot) as long as ventilation is good and temperature monitored with a stat it'll be perfect.

[Mirf]

Originally Posted by Wizard

What does this mean?? aborting the eggs?

i'm guessing they wont really be bothered if they are separated?

As soon as she has laid the eggs remove them and then pop them in the freezer for 24 hours. They can then be safely disposed of. It simply ensures that if the eggs are fertile nothing will come of them.