You may be surprised to know that your female bearded dragon, who’s never been near a male one, can still lay eggs on its own. But what should you do with the infertile eggs?
If your bearded dragon has laid infertile eggs, it’s safe to throw them away.
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If you leave the unfertilized egg inside of the enclosure, over time, it will decompose and emit a horrible smell. There’s also a chance that your bearded dragon will eat the eggs left behind, as she will feel no emotional attachment towards her eggs.
Read on for more information about what to do with infertile bearded dragon eggs, how to dispose of them, and why bearded dragons lay infertile eggs.
Why Do Bearded Dragons Lay Infertile Eggs?
The Natural Course of Maturity
Once a female bearded dragon has reached sexual maturity, she will become gravid and lay eggs, even if they haven’t mated with a male. This can happen as early as nine months old or 2-4 years old for many dragons. Every bearded dragon is different.
It’s also important to note that not all bearded dragons will lay eggs. This is a result of her reproductive system essentially going dormant.
However, it doesn’t mean that she won’t ever lay eggs, especially if she is exposed to a male dragon in the future. Also, some female dragons still won’t lay any eggs after being near a male bearded dragon.
Mating Does Not Guarantee Fertility in Eggs
Even if your female bearded dragon doesn’t come into physical contact with a male, she can still lay eggs, though they will be infertile. If there’s a male in a nearby enclosure, there’s a higher chance of her laying infertile eggs.
It’s also important to note that this isn’t always the reason for her laying eggs, nor does this ensure that a female bearded dragon will lay eggs from being around a male.
Should I Remove Infertile Bearded Dragon Eggs?
Will Unfertilized Beardie Eggs Rot and Go Bad?
To avoid smells and bacteria from entering the enclosure, remove the eggs right away and throw them away. The eggs will start to deteriorate over time, leaving behind a putrid smell. If your bearded dragon doesn’t eat the eggs after a few hours, then it’s best to dispose of them rather than leave them there overnight.
When and How to Remove The Eggs From The Bearded Dragon Without Stressing Her Out?
If you find that your bearded dragon is trying to bury her eggs, you will want to wait before removing them.
Giving her the extra care she needs and deserves will help her relax. In addition, avoid picking her up as much as possible until she calms down.
Once she’s buried her eggs, you can try to divert her attention somewhere else. She’s probably going to be ravenous, and therefore she may respond positively to food. Once she is relaxed, you can take the time to remove the eggs from the enclosure.
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If she’s feeling up for it, you can take her out, give her a warm bath, and remove the eggs before putting her back in.
Should I Freeze The Eggs Before Tossing Them Out?
Freezing the eggs before tossing them out isn’t necessary, but if you’re worried about them potentially being fertilized eggs, you can freeze them.
Freezing the eggs only stops them from decomposing and smelling bad. On the other hand, if there’s an embryo inside, it will slow down its growth.
Can I Use The Eggs As Fertilizer?
If you prefer, you could also use the eggs for fertilizer. But just be extra cautious and make sure the eggs are indeed infertile before you do that. You don’t want a baby beardie hatching in your plants, nor do you want to kill an innocent young life accidentally.
To create fertilizer, all you have to do is mix the eggs into any soil. This is a great way to get extra use out of the eggs instead of just throwing them away.
What Do Fertile and Infertile Bearded Dragon Eggs Look Like?
Fertile eggs
Fertile bearded dragon eggs will show a pinkish embryo (also called “circle of life”) and red veins when shined with a flashlight. You’ll find that they look like a tiny ball shape on the inside with red lines around them.
They’ll be small, squishy, smooth, and in the shape of an oval. When you touch them, they should bounce back to their original shape. You may even find an embryo moving around inside of a fertile egg.
Infertile Eggs
Infertile eggs will be yellowish and empty when shined with a flashlight, and it will be very easy to see if the egg is empty or not. They are usually squishy and misshaped, and they do not bounce back when pressed. If broken, there will be a yolk inside like a chicken egg.
Bearded dragon eggs are also very fragile, so be careful when handling any eggs from your bearded dragon, especially if they are fertile.
How to Help My Beardie Recover After Her First Clutch of Eggs.
Helping her recover from lay eggs is crucial to increasing the lifespan of bearded dragon. Here are some tips for you to take care of her.
Keep An Eye on Your Dragon And Her Eating Habits.
After your dragon lays her eggs, you will likely find that she is ravenous and wants to eat right away. It’s essential to add extra calcium to her diet and feed her more than usual to help her get her strength back.
Sprinkling calcium powder on crickets and feeding them veggies are some great options for feeding your dragon after she’s laid her eggs.
On the other hand, she may also avoid eating normally and become lethargic. You can try feeding your dragon their favorite foods to entice them. However, you may need to take her to the vet if she refuses to eat and continues to be lethargic.
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In addition, remember to clean out any excess bugs or other foods from the tank. Remember that your bearded dragon is more fragile than usual, and therefore they can easily get sick from any bacteria that enters the enclosure. It’s crucial to take extra care to make sure the enclosure is clean and sanitized for your bearded dragon.
Avoid Picking Up and Moving Her Around Too Much.
After laying eggs, your dragon may be feeling stressed out. Therefore It’s crucial to give her space and time to recover.
Furthermore, you could potentially scare your dragon when picking her up. Additionally, she may feel a bit sick, and therefore handling her could potentially make her feel worse or even fall asleep on you.
One way to help reduce her stress to play a soothing melody if your bearded dragon likes music.
Give Her a Warm Bath.
If you find that your bearded dragon is comfortable with being held after laying her eggs, try giving her a warm bath. This will also help with her dehydration. In addition, she will likely be covered in the substrate she had dug into when she laid her eggs.
One important thing to note is not to bathe her immediately, and this is only a great option after your dragon has eaten and relaxed for a while.
Make Sure She Has Enough Water.
Your dragon is going to be dehydrated after laying her eggs. Make sure she has water in her enclosure, even if you plan on bathing her later. Also, make sure the water is very shallow and easy for your dragon to get access to.
Do Bearded Dragons Eat Their Eggs?
Sometimes when the eggs aren’t removed, your bearded dragon may eat their eggs. Don’t be alarmed if this happens.
Their eggs are conveniently filled with a good source of protein. In fact, bearded dragons can eat any type of eggs, whether they are cooked or raw.
After laying eggs, your dragon’s body will likely be lacking many nutrients. Therefore extra protein from the eggs can be beneficial.
On the other hand, if the eggs happen to be fertilized, make sure to remove the eggs right away. Unfortunately, bearded dragons don’t feel an attachment or connection to their eggs or babies, and they’ll likely see their babies as competition when they hatch. Moving the eggs to an incubator can prevent possible present or future catastrophes.
Conclusion:
It’s a good idea to dispose of infertile bearded dragon eggs as soon as possible to avoid bacteria and smells from entering the enclosure. Some easy options include throwing them away, freezing them for future use (this is useful if you want to make fertilizer later, or if you’re worried about the eggs being fertile), or mixing them into any soil to make fertilizer.
It’s also essential to make sure your bearded dragon gets enough nutrients after laying her eggs. She will look very frail and possibly very sick, which is why your bearded dragon needs calcium to help her through the healing process. If you’re ever unsure or concerned about your dragon’s behavior after laying eggs, take her to the vet right away to avoid complications.
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