Ah, the joy of egg-laying season!

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Posted by Jamie/JBug on March 17, 2000 at 19:18:52:

Well, it's that time of year again! Shakai is getting close to ready to lay her eggs. I'm much less frantic this year than I was last year at this time. Having gone through it smoothly once makes a big difference! Still, she has managed to make me at least semi-frantic. She dug all day yesterday in her nest box, making a ROYAL mess, and then slept in her nest box last night, after throughly exhausting herself. Then she was up before the lights came on, digging some more. She alternately dug and rested until about 2 this afternoon, when she came out of her box and ate a bit, and then crawled under the basking light and snoozed. She's up now, but she hasn't been back in her box. After she dug all day yesterday and all morning this morning, I thought for sure that she was laying her eggs, or at least preparing to. But, as of a half-hour ago, she was still lumpy and full of eggs, and there were no eggs in the nest box. I swear to God, she looked smug when I came in and saw her out of her box, still full of eggs! It's like she KNOWS! It's like: "Ha, ha, psyched you out! You thought I was actually *laying eggs*! HA!" So, she's driving me crazy, but, at any rate, I think she'll lay soon. She didn't start digging this much until about two days before she laid, last year. SO I'm pretty sure we're closing in on it. I'll keep you updated.

Remember how I told you all earlier about how protective Einstein has been of Shakai since she became gravid this year? Well, he's still at it, and today I noticed that he was doing something really extreme. He stands guard at the mouth of the nest box when Shakai is digging! Is that amazing?!?!? When I got close to peek in the opening at Shakai, he started bobbing and moving closer to the opening so I couldn't see in at all! And this is my sweet, tame, personable Einstein! I couldn't believe it. He wouldn't even leave to eat! He stared intently at the food dish, but didn't run over to it and chow down like he always does. I finally took the food to him, and he bobbed until he saw me just put the plate down and move away, and then he started eating, but with one eye on me at all times. I was amazed. I've never heard of a male iguana being so protective of the egg-laying process. I know they mated a month or so ago, so it's possible that the eggs are fertile. So maybe he is just keeping a real close eye on his "offspring." I don't know what to make of it. What do you all think?

Well, enough for now. Just thought I'd share my amazement and frustration. *hugs*
Best,
Jamie/Buggie

Follow Ups:

Loved the story Joan 03/19/00 (0)
As of 2 pm, no eggs yet! Arg! n/m Jamie/JBug 03/18/00 (0)
That is amazing for igs,but soo sweet too,,, cirsisue 03/18/00 (0)

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: Well, it's that time of year again! Shakai is getting close to ready to lay her eggs. I'm much less frantic this year than I was last year at this time. Having gone through it smoothly once makes a big difference! Still, she has managed to make me at least semi-frantic. She dug all day yesterday in her nest box, making a ROYAL mess, and then slept in her nest box last night, after throughly exhausting herself. Then she was up before the lights came on, digging some more. She alternately dug and rested until about 2 this afternoon, when she came out of her box and ate a bit, and then crawled under the basking light and snoozed. She's up now, but she hasn't been back in her box. After she dug all day yesterday and all morning this morning, I thought for sure that she was laying her eggs, or at least preparing to. But, as of a half-hour ago, she was still lumpy and full of eggs, and there were no eggs in the nest box. I swear to God, she looked smug when I came in and saw her out of her box, still full of eggs! It's like she KNOWS! It's like: "Ha, ha, psyched you out! You thought I was actually *laying eggs*! HA!" So, she's driving me crazy, but, at any rate, I think she'll lay soon. She didn't start digging this much until about two days before she laid, last year. SO I'm pretty sure we're closing in on it. I'll keep you updated. : Remember how I told you all earlier about how protective Einstein has been of Shakai since she became gravid this year? Well, he's still at it, and today I noticed that he was doing something really extreme. He stands guard at the mouth of the nest box when Shakai is digging! Is that amazing?!?!? When I got close to peek in the opening at Shakai, he started bobbing and moving closer to the opening so I couldn't see in at all! And this is my sweet, tame, personable Einstein! I couldn't believe it. He wouldn't even leave to eat! He stared intently at the food dish, but didn't run over to it and chow down like he always does. I finally took the food to him, and he bobbed until he saw me just put the plate down and move away, and then he started eating, but with one eye on me at all times. I was amazed. I've never heard of a male iguana being so protective of the egg-laying process. I know they mated a month or so ago, so it's possible that the eggs are fertile. So maybe he is just keeping a real close eye on his "offspring." I don't know what to make of it. What do you all think? : Well, enough for now. Just thought I'd share my amazement and frustration. *hugs* : Best, : Jamie/Buggie

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