New hatchling

[Aubrey Sidwell]

I have acquired some crested geckos over the last few months. I have been incubating a couple of eggs for the last month and a half and was wondering how much longer until they hatch. I got my answer today when one of them came out of it's shell. I don't have a photo to post at the moment but it's really an amazing thing. I can't believe the size they are in comparison to the egg when they hatch. It's probably just as amazing to see them emerge from the egg as it is to watch a tarantula molt for the first time. I am watching the other egg I have often to see if I can catch it in the act.

 

[DrJ]

What temperature have you been incubating at? Most do well at room temperature. Crested are speculated to have temperature dependant sex determination. Meaning that the warmer the incubation, the more likely it is they will be male; and cooler, female. Incubation generally lasts 60-90 days, and can be sped up with warmer temperatures...which is what a lot of breeders do, but this results in the overpopulated male population in the hobby. Hence the dramatic price differential between male and female...you see it with every specie, but it seems particularly exaggerated with cresteds. I have a hard time just giving males away...that's how bad it is. Females on the other hand, are in big demand. Unfortunately, you have to wait about 6 months before you can tell whether a baby is a male or a female.

 

[AzJohn]

They nornally hatch at night. It can take a long time for them to get out of the egg. It's really cool to see.

 

[Aubrey Sidwell]

What temperature have you been incubating at? Most do well at room temperature. Crested are speculated to have temperature dependant sex determination. Meaning that the warmer the incubation, the more likely it is they will be male; and cooler, female. Incubation generally lasts 60-90 days, and can be sped up with warmer temperatures...which is what a lot of breeders do, but this results in the overpopulated male population in the hobby. Hence the dramatic price differential between male and female...you see it with every specie, but it seems particularly exaggerated with cresteds. I have a hard time just giving males away...that's how bad it is. Females on the other hand, are in big demand. Unfortunately, you have to wait about 6 months before you can tell whether a baby is a male or a female.

I have been incubating them in the low 70's. I have done alot of reading about sex determination and most experienced breeders have had mixed/inconclusive results. I am just sticking with near normal room temps. just because I don't want to over heat the egg in a less than natural way. Sexing is difficult for me as I am just now starting and have no experience for comparison. I have a juvenile but I can't tell if it a boy or girl. I bought 2 juvenile's as females but I can't see a visual difference when comparing them to my unsexed juvie.

 

[halfwaynowhere]

but, where are the baby pics?

 

[equuskat]

Aubrey:
I was able to determine the sexes of my baby geckos very early by looking for the pores. Check out this site: http://www.pangeareptile.com/id52.htm#sexing

I did not have a loupe, which is apparently what most people use, but I ised my dissecting 'scope and just restrained the gecko. It worked really well. The pores are pretty unmistakeable. If they aren't there, it's a girl. I've been right on all three geckos I've sexed.

 

[olablane]

Oh how I love cresteds!! It must be fun to raise them this way!! Congratulations!! I need to increase my numbers. What does it involve hatching them from eggs?

 

[Aubrey Sidwell]

Oh how I love cresteds!! It must be fun to raise them this way!! Congratulations!! I need to increase my numbers. What does it involve hatching them from eggs?

Remove the eggs from the substrate in the nest box. Put them in a moist medium such as hatchrite, which is a premoistened substrate, or use vermiculite that you can't squeeze water out of with your hands. Bury the eggs leaving the top third of the egg uncovered in about 1.5-2 inches of substrate. Use an airtight container you can see inside and put it up on a high shelf at room temperature (low 70's) and check on them once a week by removing the airtight lid to let in some fresh air and then put the lid back on. They should hatch in about 60-70 days. It's suprisingly easy as the main requirement is patience.

 

[Aubrey Sidwell]

but, where are the baby pics?

I'm working on it. My lens for my digital SLR broke internally so I have to borrow a camera until mine is repaired.

 

[olablane]

Remove the eggs from the substrate in the nest box. Put them in a moist medium such as hatchrite, which is a premoistened substrate, or use vermiculite that you can't squeeze water out of with your hands. Bury the eggs leaving the top third of the egg uncovered in about 1.5-2 inches of substrate. Use an airtight container you can see inside and put it up on a high shelf at room temperature (low 70's) and check on them once a week by removing the airtight lid to let in some fresh air and then put the lid back on. They should hatch in about 60-70 days. It's suprisingly easy as the main requirement is patience.

May have to try that, even tho I am short of patience occasionally.Thanks

 

[Aubrey Sidwell]

Update with photo's. I caught the other egg hatching and it's not all the way out yet. This is really neat.

New hatchling

Hatchling born yesterday

 

[halfwaynowhere]

Baby eeps!

I call cresties "eeps", because they are so cute, everytime I see one, I say Eep!

 

[olablane]

So adorable. Good luck with them!!

 

[Texas Blonde]

Oh. My. God. Those are sooooo cute!!! The one coming out of the egg made me think of Jurassic Park. Thanks for sharing!

 

[JoeRossi]

The mother died......so you have the last offspring

Well I am glad it was another successfull egg shipment and hatch. The mother of these died from a prolapse about 3 weeks ago so this is the last of her offsrping. Great pictures and keep in touch I will have more eggs to sell in the future.

Thanks for sharing,
Joe Rossi

 

[Aubrey Sidwell]

Well I am glad it was another successfull egg shipment and hatch. The mother of these died from a prolapse about 3 weeks ago so this is the last of her offsrping. Great pictures and keep in touch I will have more eggs to sell in the future.

Thanks for sharing,
Joe Rossi

What does it me to "prolapse"?

 

[JoeRossi]

Prolapse......

A protrusion in the part that is swollen at the vent (anal opening) Thick redness coming out of the vent which is very serious and can be fatal. In this case a vet nor any home remedy could help her R.I.P. she was a great breeder. The only thing I can think of is that it was either a bacterial infection or she pushed too hard during her last feces and or lay.