Draaken Cove 2026 Breeding Season

[ghsaltie]

Sweet baby

[ghsaltie]

Today was weight checks and I can confidently say that if Eris is gravid she is very early. She actually lost 3g over the last week. I gave her and Mando a break so next week they will be reintroduced and hoping she hasn’t missed her window.
The other four are definitely gravid. Fleur only gained a couple grams this last week but overall she is up 69g since coming out of brumation. She is thick and very uncomfortable. She has previously laid seven days post-shed, with her 2025 clutch being laid on day six. So once she sheds I expect it won’t take very long to see eggs.

Anuket and Astoria seem close in development but I feel like Anuket is farther along. It also looks like she might be going blue soon. She has gained another 16g and has definitely developed the boxy look they get when building eggs.

Astoria also gained 17g this past week and she looks very thick. The only reason I think she is farther behind Anuket is because she didn’t have a lock until later, but depending on when they ovulated they could be very close. For 2024 and 2025 Astoria laid at seven days post-shed for her first clutch and eight days for her double clutch.

Lastly, Bellatrix gained 11g the last week. I didn’t witness any locks between her and Hufflepuff but I suspect they had one on 3/6. She has only recently started looking thicker which would also track with the later lock if that’s what happened. Her lay dates have averaged 9-11 post-shed with 9 being the most common. For some reason her picture isn’t wanting to work today.

[caron]

This is so exciting Erin! I’m hoping you will find some surprises in these “Easter” eggs when they hatch! I am remembering your excitement in the last few years. I have a sneaking suspicion that as soon as these eggs are laid and hatched the new babies will all be spoken for, just like little Draaken was last year!

How’s Miss Bellatrix’s tail btw? Is it healing well? I still believe Miss Eris is a momma to be but she is weight conscious so she is hiding her tiny hoggie belly!

[ghsaltie]

Bellatrix looks about the same. I want to say the chlorhex soaks are helping but even if so the damaged spots are not going to go away until she sheds. I’ve got an appointment for her next week in case she gets worse.

Eris is a very fit woman. I think even if she’s gravid it will take a while to see it with how tight she holds her belly. I’m bummed that she isn’t obviously gravid yet because her and Mando are the ones I’m most excited about, but it’s not over yet.

[caron]

@ghsaltie

I’m bummed that she isn’t obviously gravid yet because her and Mando are the ones I’m most excited about, but it’s not over yet.

Keep the faith sweetie! I believe she will come through! Tell Bellatrix I’m in her corner!

[deanaii]

Great update.

[ghsaltie]

Start the egg countdown! Fleur shed last night so if she holds to her usual pattern we should have eggs on either Easter Sunday or Monday

[caron]

I’m hoping Easter Sunday!

[cmills]

Easter eggs! What a fun surprise that would be! Although you wouldn’t have much of a hunt for them hahaha

[caron]

@cmills

Although you wouldn’t have much of a hunt for them hahaha

I would say that would be a plus in this case!

[ghsaltie]

Don’t say that yet she could decide to skip the lay box and scatter them about

[ghsaltie]

I’m hoping for Sunday too!

[cmills]

Uh oh, don’t worry I knocked on wood for ya

[ghsaltie]

Got a couple egg tubs set up and ready to go. Since I started breeding I have always used a Coleman cooler as the incubator. I wanted to save some space by using the same unit for both brumation and incubation so I got a larger wine cooler (because somehow getting a new unit three times the size as the old one is saving space ) and have been fine tuning it the last couple weeks. It’s been holding steady at 82f and I feel pretty good about it. We’ll see how that goes once eggs are inside.

P.S. this is my first time using a wine cooler turned incubator so I welcome any feedback

[ghsaltie]

Fleur has gained another 20g! Last year’s clutch was 12 eggs and I have a feeling this one is going to follow suit. Poor girl is looking like a stuffed sausage. She hates being handled when this far along, not that I can blame her, but sometimes I just have to sit and admire how absolutely beautiful she is.

Anuket and Astoria are both very deep in shed with Anuket being slightly ahead I think. She actually lost 13g, which is confusing and I hope she isn’t reabsorbing. She still has a lightly bloated look so it may just be a small clutch.
Astoria only gained a few grams this week but she already looks so much thicker than last week.

Bellatrix has gained another 9g and is getting more of a lumpy eggy look. Her tail irritation still looks stable and I’m hoping will completely resolve on her next shed.
Lastly, Eris gained 21g! I’m not counting my snakelets yet but I’m really hopeful this is her starting to build eggs. She has the smallest of thickening in her lower third.

[caron]

I’m still betting on “Easter” eggs Erin! Or at least “hopping” for some! Looks like Miss Eris is sporting her “Easter Bonnet”!

[ghsaltie]

Eggs have landed

Nine beautiful pearly whites and three slugs. Apparently Fleur decided I shall not have Easter eggs, and wait until after the fact. She is now digesting a well deserved snack.

Anuket also shed yesterday morning so the clock is rolling for her

[caron]

Well congratulations to Ms Fleur on a job well done! Now the waiting game begins! Draaken and I will patiently stand by!

[caron]

What ratio of perlite to water do you use? My chameleon gecko eggs are shriveled now!

[ghsaltie]

I honestly don’t use a ratio, I go by feel. I add water slowly and mix it up until it clumps without having excess running out. I don’t know anything about chameleon eggs though