NEED HELP with Calote Verisvolor (likely gravid)

[Herpisphere]

First, I got a pair of calote versicolor lizards last week ( a male and a female ). The male looked very plump and healthy. The female was a little thin, but has at least three longish bulges at her stomach that look like she is gravid. Realizing she will probabIy lay eggsd, I have been worried about the female the past week trying to find any info on egg temps and gestation period  but I can't find that information! The only info I have found states that 10-20 eggs will be laid in damp soil and that incubation is 6 to 7 weeks. But at what temps? Does anyone know?

Now I am even more concerned (and very upset) because I found the male dead last night. He looked perfectly healthy! Please, if there is any help you can give... the female is hardly as healthy looking as the male was. What precautions should I take? She doesn't seem at all interested in eating, just lapping up water. I mixed in some phelsumax into the water I sprayed last night and she lapped it up, but is there any more I can do?

Also, should I go ahead and clean out the entire cage (since the male died)? I am thinking I should, but at the same time I don't want to stress her too much.

[samanthajane13]

I would check with www.geckosunlimited.com just fro the heck of it.

They're VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, and even though it's NOT a gecko, I'll be that somebody there has dealt with them.

Good luck with your seach, and so soory to hear about the male...

[Herpisphere]

Thanks. I will post there too.

[honuman]

Post there. They may be able to help you. Sounds like she may be dehydrated a little.  The male could have just died from stress.  Unfortunately, this is the price we pay for WC animals.  You never know what might happen or how old they are or what parasites they may have.  The stress of capture can bring all this out.  Good luck with her.

[Herpisphere]

Thank you. I had not thought about that. That is very likely. I have been able to get her to eat some repta- aid so maybe that will help some. I hope she pulls through.

[honuman]

Regarding cleaning the enclosure.  If you can just set up a second enclosure and carefully move her right into it.  Then you don't have to shove her in a box and stress her out while you clean out the first one.    Several things could be going here.  I am pretty certain she is dehydrated.  She may not be eating because she is gravid as well.  Perhaps you can try this if she does not eat soon. (it's gross put it does work)  Squash up a cricket i(or even a wax worm) into sort of past and dab it on to her nose.  She way lap it up and that might just pick up her appetite. 

[Herpisphere]

Thank you. I will probably do that with the enclosure then. I have several extra ones I could use.

I have been able to get her to eat a little bit of repta-aid in the mornings and evening. I thought she might not be eating because of being gravid too, but how long before laying do lizards usually go without eating before they lay? It's been at least a few days now (besides the liquid food) and I know with my bearded dragon she only stopped about a day before laying...

I had thought about that with a cricket... It is gross, but I may have to. Another person recommended this product: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6016+10442+19702&pcatid=19702

Has anyone here used it before?

[justanotherfroginthepond]

I've used Jumpstart on several reptiles.  It's saved a few, others just had too much wrong to BE saved.  It works if it's just a matter of basic hypoglycemia, but if the malnutrition is too severe then the organs can begin to fail, and virtually nothing will work at that point.  I'd venture to say dehydration is probably your biggest demon here, but if she's not eating for you and is actually gravid then forcing Jumpstart down her throat may stress her out, too! 

I did just read a part of a research paper on them (used Google and it popped up) that says they have been known to hold their eggs up to 6 months if they don't feel the conditions are optimal.... now THAT'S control!  Good luck with her... they look like a pretty neat little lizard!

[Herpisphere]

Thanks. I've search on them like crazy, but never came across that.

[samanthajane13]

Jump Start KICKS BUTT!!!

Try it!!!

[Herpisphere]

I ordered it, but it arrived a day after she died...

[justanotherfroginthepond]

Sorry to hear you lost her, but it happens.  Alll I can say is better luck next time!

[Herpisphere]

Thanks. I'm sure it will come in handy in the future.

I'm definently going to be more wary of animals that aren't captive bred from now on though.