Do Crested Geckos Lay Eggs Without Mating?
Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) are some of the most popular pet lizards, prized for their cute personalities, hardiness and ease of care. But one common question is, do they lay eggs without mating? We’ll explore the answer below.
What is Parthenogenesis?
Parthenogenesis is a type of asexual reproduction in which an egg cell is able to develop without being fertilized by sperm. This happens in some species of lizards, and a few species of fish, amphibians and invertebrates.
Do Crested Geckos Have Parthenogenesis?
Unfortunately for pet owners, plus for the well-being of most wild crested geckos, crested geckos do not have parthenogenesis. They require fertilization from a male in order to produce fertile eggs.
What About Unfertilized Eggs?
Female crested geckos will lay unfertilized eggs easily when given the right conditions. Unfertilized eggs may look like they could hatch, but they will never develop into baby geckos.
Do Male Crested Geckos Need to be Present?
No, males do not need to be present with the females in order for females to lay eggs. You can have female crested geckos that are kept on their own, and they will still lay eggs.
What to Do if Eggs Are Laid
When female crested geckos lay eggs without being fertilized, it’s important to remove the eggs from their enclosure. If left in the enclosure, the eggs could rot, and potentially spread bacteria and harm your geckos.
- Remove the unfertilized eggs from the enclosure
- Destroy the eggs
- Keep an eye on the female gecko’s behaviour
If your female lay eggs very frequently, and they look healthy, you might want to get another crested gecko, as she might be trying to mate. However, female crested geckos can lay eggs frequently, so don’t be too alarmed if they do it.
Conclusion
To conclude, crested geckos do not have parthenogenesis, and any eggs laid without being fertilized will never hatch. Male geckos do not need to be present for females to lay eggs, and the eggs need to be removed from the enclosure to prevent bacterial growth. If your gecko is laying eggs very frequently and she looks healthy, you can consider getting another crested gecko.
