Dracaena eggs not hardening...
 

We had a "members only" event at the Nashville Zoo last evening, and I got to chat with one of the docents in the Herp exhibit...what I learned was that the Zoo actually has two BREEDING PAIR of Dracaena, and each pair laid 5 eggs this past season. Unfortunately, the eggshells will not set up, so the female ends up crushing the ones left in the exhibit. The pair not in the exhibit had their eggs incubated, and they also had the soft shell problem...although one egg went all the way to embryo development before it died.

So, if anyone has any idea as to what these critters get in their diet in the wild that promotes shell development, let me know!!

Ernie

In the wild it is said that they feed almost exclusively on snails. If this is true, then the calcium needed for strong eggs would come from the shells of their food. It is also said that they do not swallow the shells, but spit them back out.

There is very little information on these animals. It would be real hard to guess the exact diet in the wild.

I would think they would also tend to eat crustaceans as well, but it would only be a guess.

I am finding out that, at least on the 'net, there is not much information available on the natural history of the two Dracaena species, D. guianensis and D. paraguayensis. In view of this, I am playing with the idea of doing a Caiman Lizard website to try to pool the information on these animals as a reference.

I know that there are a lot of people out there that have more information on Dracaena species, so maybe a repository for all this information is what we need.

We'll see if time allows me the opportunity to pursue this. At the very least, the efforts of the Shedd Aquarium and the Nashville Zoo in this regard should be featured there. I also have seen specimens for sale out of Germany and Spain, so maybe the professionals and hobbyists in the EU have some additional information and experience.

Ernie

Great idea!! I would say that if they have been studied in great length, it sure don't show up anywhere. I have been looking for information as well. :unhappy:

Well, it is on the list of stuff to get done...!

Sounds great!!! I have a list like that. My wife makes one every week. LOL :)

in the wild they eat fruits, frogs, fish, dead mammals and birds, snails, and crustaceans