If you’ve ever wondered just how many tiny gecko eggs can fit inside your common household gecko, you’re not alone. Geckos may be small, but they are extremely effective egg producers.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The number of eggs a gecko lays depends on the specific species, but ranges from 2 to 10 eggs per clutch, with most species laying 2 eggs at a time.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the key factors that determine egg numbers in geckos, look at egg counts for popular gecko species kept as pets, examine the gecko reproductive process and lifetime egg production numbers, and much more.
What Determines How Many Eggs a Gecko Will Lay?
Species
Different gecko species lay varying amounts of eggs. For example, crested geckos lay one or two eggs per clutch and up to five clutches a year. On the other end, leopard geckos can lay from two to eight eggs, averaging around five to six eggs per clutch.
Some large gecko species like the giant day gecko can lay up to a dozen eggs at one time.
Age
Geckos normally don’t start laying eggs until they are adults – around 12 to 15 months old. Younger geckos may still develop eggs, but they often reabsorb them since their bodies are not developed enough to effectively reproduce yet. Once adult, geckos will lay eggs during each breeding season.
As geckos age even further past the prime of adulthood, egg laying may slow again.
Health and Nutrition
Proper nutrition is extremely important for geckos to produce and lay eggs. Geckos need a balanced diet of live insects like crickets, worms, or roaches to get the right protein, fat, calcium, and vitamins for egg development.
Additionally, if a gecko is dehydrated, stressed, or ill, this can delay or inhibit egg production until the gecko recovers its health. Also, laying many clutches of eggs is energetically demanding for female geckos, so they need adequate nutrition and calcium supplementation for successful long-term breeding.
Environmental Factors
Several environmental conditions influence gecko egg development and laying:
- Temperature – Geckos breed and lay eggs during warmer months. Cool temperatures can delay egg laying in some species.
- Photoperiod – Changes in day length help trigger gecko breeding behaviors and ovulation. Longer spring/summer days stimulate ovulation and egg laying.
- Rainy seasons – In tropical areas, geckos may breed and lay eggs at a seasonal peak associated with monsoon rains or increases in humidity and food supply.
- Substrate – Providing an environment with suitable nesting areas and egg deposition substrates encourages geckos to lay eggs. Add damp moss, vermiculite, or soil to lay boxes or terrariums.
Thus, by considering species, individual health, and environmental factors, you can better understand and anticipate gecko egg production. Ample space, proper husbandry, and good nutrition are key to success. For more tips, read ReptiFiles comprehensive Leopard Gecko care guide.
Egg Counts for Common Pet Gecko Species
Leopard Geckos
Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet gecko species. They are known for being docile, easy to handle, and having relatively simple care requirements. When it comes to breeding, female leopard geckos can lay between 2-10 eggs per clutch, with an average of 6-8 eggs.
They tend to lay eggs in cycles every 30 days or so during the breeding season (typically December to September). Some key things to know about leopard gecko egg laying:
- Age impacts egg count – Younger females 1-2 years old will lay smaller clutches while mature adults 3+ years old will lay larger clutches.
- Size impacts egg count – Larger, healthier leopard geckos typically produce more eggs.
- Genetics impacts egg count – Some bloodlines are known for being more prolific egg layers.
- Season impacts egg count – Egg production is highest in the peak breeding months and tapers off toward the end of the season.
With optimal care and breeding conditions, female leopard geckos can produce 30-40 eggs per season! By providing a healthy diet, proper supplements, suitable nesting areas, and managing breeding introductions, owners can help maximize reproductive success.
Crested Geckos
Crested geckos are another very popular pet gecko thanks to their unique looks, easy care, and docile handling. When it comes to breeding, female crested geckos are prolific egg layers capable of producing multiple clutches per season without mating.
Here’s an overview of crested gecko egg laying habits:
- Can lay eggs without mating (parthenogenesis) – Females can produce fertile eggs even without being bred.
- 1-3 eggs per clutch – Average clutch size is 2 eggs.
- Eggs glued to surfaces – The female will deposit and glue her eggs to any suitable surface in the terrarium.
- Multiple clutches per season – Females can produce a clutch every 20-35 days in peak season.
- No parental care – Crested geckos do not tend to or guard their eggs.
A healthy female crested gecko can lay up to 10-15 eggs or more per breeding season! Providing optimal housing, temperature, humidity, diet, and care is key to supporting prolific egg production.
Gargoyle Geckos
Closely related to crested geckos, gargoyle geckos share very similar breeding habits and egg production capabilities. Key points include:
- 2 eggs per clutch on average – Range is 1-3 eggs.
- Multiple clutches per season – Every 20-45 days.
- Parthenogenetic – Females can produce fertile eggs without mating.
- Eggs glued to surfaces – Females will firmly attach eggs to vivarium furnishings, plants, etc.
- No parental care – Gargoyle geckos do not guard or tend to eggs.
Gargoyle geckos are prolific egg producers just like crested geckos. Offering proper husbandry and nutrition will allow females to maximize reproductive output. An experienced, healthy gargoyle gecko female can lay upward of 12-18 eggs per breeding season.
Mourning Geckos
The tiny mourning gecko is an ideal vivarium resident thanks to its small size, communal nature, and prolific breeding habits. Here’s an overview of how they reproduce:
- 2 eggs per clutch
- Eggs glued to surfaces
- Clutches every 15-45 days
- Highly communal and tolerant
- Males not required for reproduction
Mourning geckos can and will breed readily in captivity. A single female can produce 25-50 or more eggs in a season under ideal conditions. This makes them a great “clean up crew” gecko species that can help control fruit fly populations in bioactive vivariums.
The Gecko Reproductive Process and Lifetime Production
Mating and Fertilization
Geckos generally reach sexual maturity within 1-2 years, at which point they begin mating. The mating season often corresponds with warmer weather, as this helps with egg development. During mating, the male will climb onto the back of the female and align their vents, passing sperm for internal fertilization.
Females can store sperm inside for up to 8 months before the eggs get fertilized internally (1).
Egg Development and Laying
Once fertilized internally, the eggs will develop inside the female with hard calcium carbonate shells forming around them for protection. Gestation ranges from 4-8 weeks depending on species and climate.
When ready, females will lay pairs of eggs, often burying them in moist soil or hiding them in rock crevices where they will be incubated (2). Species native to more tropical climates may skip egg laying and give birth to live young instead.
Incubation
Gecko eggs are incubated at controlled temperatures between 26-32°C depending on species. Some female geckos will remain with the eggs to ensure proper temperature and humidity levels needed for healthy development.
Incubation ranges from 30-120 days before hatching.(3) Proper moisture levels are critical, as insufficient humidity can retard embryo growth or cause eggs to shrink.
Hatching
Once incubation is complete, the baby geckos will use an egg tooth to break open their shells from the inside, a process taking 12-48 hours typically. Species native to drier regions may hatch more quickly to avoid dessication.
Initially about 1.5 inches long, hatchlings are fully independent and must find food quickly to survive.(4)
Total Lifetime Production
Given average lifespans of 10-20 years in captivity, female geckos may produce eggs over many seasons during their lives. Exact totals vary by species, but averages range from 10-60 eggs per year, with larger geckos producing towards the higher end.
This could equate to 100-1,000+ eggs over an entire lifespan!(5)(6) With good husbandry and genetics, captive geckos can enjoy reproductive longevity surpassing their wild counterparts.
| Average Clutch Size | Number of Clutches Per Year | Potential Annual Production |
| 2 eggs | 5 clutches | 10 eggs |
| 4 eggs | 15 clutches | 60 eggs |
Caring for a Gravid Gecko and Her Eggs
Habitat
When a female gecko becomes gravid (pregnant), it is important to ensure she has an optimal habitat for healthy egg development. This includes providing a naturalistic terrarium with plenty of hiding spots, a thermal gradient between 70-90°F, and adequate humidity around 60-80%.
The gravid gecko should have continuous access to calcium-rich foods like gutloaded insects and calcium supplements. Reduce stress by limiting handling and providing a quiet, peaceful environment.
Nutrition
A gravid gecko has increased nutritional needs to support developing eggs. Feed more calcium-rich gutloaded insects like crickets, mealworms and dubia roaches. Dust insects with calcium+D3 supplement 2-3 times per week. Provide a small dish of calcium powder in the terrarium.
Include high-quality feeder insects, not just crickets, for a balanced diet. Ensure the gecko maintains appropriate weight by monitoring appetite and body condition.
Egg Laying and Hatching Setup
When a gecko is ready to lay her eggs, she should have an appropriate egg laying site available. Provide a humid hide box with moist substrate like sphagnum moss or vermiculite for digging. The hide should be kept in the warm zone of the terrarium.
After egg laying, carefully move the eggs to a separate hatching setup. Use a ventilated plastic container with 1-2 inches of moist vermiculite or perlite. Bury eggs halfway and separate them a bit. Keep the hatching setup in a quiet area.
Incubation Temperature
Proper incubation temperature is vital for healthy gecko egg development. Ideal temperatures depend on species. For example, leopard geckos do best around 88-92°F while crested geckos need lower temps from 78-82°F.
Use a thermometer to monitor temperature and adjust heating sources like heat mats or cables as needed. Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations. High and stable humidity around 70-80% is also essential for proper incubation.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, geckos are truly prolific egg layers, with some species producing hundreds of eggs over a lifetime. While individual clutch sizes are small, geckos have evolved to lay eggs frequently to continue populating their environments.
Understanding the reproductive capabilities of the specific gecko species you choose to keep as pets enables you to be prepared for breeding behaviors and properly care for both female geckos and their fragile eggs.
