Retained sperm

[jessesgirl]

My normal female laid eggs on December 5th. We'd only had her a couple of weeks, maybe a month and hadn't put her with the male, but who knows what the previous owner had done. Anyway, she has been very grouchy since she laid, not really wanting to be touched and I put it off as just trying to get back to normal after pregnency. She has also had an incredible appetite, but was a good eater the whole time, so I thought nothing of it. We haven't put her with a male since we've had her, so imagine my surprise this a.m., when I took her out and felt a belly full of eggs!
How long can a female retain sperm, and should I expect another fertile clutch? Would she lay eggs if she isn't fertile? I'm so confused, not to mention shocked, and panicking over incubator space... Please help!

[drewlowe]

Yep the females can retain sperm for how long i'm not sure. You might get another clutch you might not it all depends on her, they can lay around 4 clutches a year. Yes beardies can lay eggs without ever being with a male they would be infertile though. If she does happen to lay another clutch i couldn't say if they would be fertile or not, but i would think they have a good possibility of it.

Sorry couldn't be much more help, and good luck with your new girl and all the eggs she's giving you.

Jamie

[jessesgirl]

Thanks for your help, Jamie. I'm now looking forward to the day I can candle this next clutch and find out if I get more babies!

[drewlowe]

Your welcome, let us know how the outcome is.

Jamie

[beardiedragon]

females can retain sperm for up to a year and can have 3+ clutches from one breeding. Some females will lay several clutches of infertile eggs a year even with no male around. have you candled the eggs yet?

[jessesgirl]

She just laid Sunday night (1-2-05) and wow, 26 this time. 23 on Dec. 5, now 26 more, what a busy time I will have.
Beardie, I candled them as I pulled them, and again this a.m., and it seems that only one is infertile, but I will leave it a few more days to be sure. However, these eggs are so much smaller than the last clutch! Would that be because they are so close together? And also, I notice weird little markings on the shells, looks almost like snowflakes. My other eggs are perfect, large and white, no weird "snowflakes". I'm a little nervous, as I've never had eggs before, and didn't intend for her to be laying at all, honestly. Any advice would be welcomed, in this thread or by P.M.
Thanks all.

[Darren179]

Maybe the snowflakes are a sign that they are snows? jk :D. Best of luck with it all.