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Is it possible my IJ is actually gravid?

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 12:13 am
by Q.Ilyan
I posted a question previously about her behavior, and I started searching more for other reasons why she behaves as she does. I notice my IJ is very round on the belly, and is very firm. I saw a video of a gravid northern breathing and notice she breathes that way, at least the times i've been observing her closely. I was told she is CB, now I think she may not be but her fecals came out clean at least. She is eating well, mostly dog food, and turns her nose at bugs which is weirding me out. I could just be overthinking it, but she really is massive at the belly. Could be obese? How long is the gestation period for IJ's? Is it even in season? Sorry, I'm new to keeping and am just figuring out possible explanations for her behavior.

Re: Is it possible my IJ is actually gravid?

Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2023 5:07 am
by splashy07
Anything is possible with imports, which I believe this is. Very few IJs are CBB, which means captive born and bred. CB is a term widely used to mostly confuse people. Captive born does not necessarily mean captive bred. Gravid females are often imported. Seasons vary depending on where they are kept, and I am unfamiliar with the seasonal breeding activity in their country. A friend of mine used to breed IJs, and their season ran alongside the northerns, giving birth in late spring/early summer. I would think just the opposite if recently imported. Gravid skinks may or may not go off feed, end stage they eat very little. My northerns stop eating last three weeks before giving birth, one of them hardly eats at all through entire gestation. My easterns eat non stop regardless. Hope this information helps a little, just keep an eye on her.
If your skink came from an expo or pet shop, bet on it being imported.