A lizard suffering from dystocia, on the other hand, will become lethargic, depressed, non-responsive. If the laying media is not of the right consistency, the lizard may spend hours kicking the dirt out, then wandering around, making digging attempts almost anywhere. This latter activity is more frenzied, and the lizard grows weaker and more visibly stressed, as the pressure to lay the eggs mounts. Straining may be seen, as may the prolapse of cloacal or oviductal tissue. Lizards can tolerate dystocias for considerably less time than can snakes, often only a matter of days, and so should be evaluating medically soon after such signs are observed.
Many lizards can produce and lay eggs, just as can chickens and humans, without being mated.
Chelonians Egg masses are all but impossible to detect by the inexperienced, and the presence of one or two retained eggs may not be felt even then. Retention is very difficult to detect in chelonians due to their being hidden not only within the turtle or tortoise's body, but the whole covered by the shell. X-rays are often the only way to tell that eggs are involved. Depression, straining and cloacal swelling or prolapse, even respiratory distress, are signs that should be watched for, and action taken to remove the eggs started. Treatment Instigating treatment before it is necessary may cause more harm to the female and to the developing clutch.