#but sometimes a wild mathieu makes the adoption decision for you

[is-this-mathieu-enriched]

I think I just found a clutch of Mathieu’s eggs in my backyard…? Is there anything I should do? No sign of the Mathieu yet but we have bad weather coming in a few days. I’m afraid to leave those things in the cold outside!

Under ideal circumstances, eggs should usually be left to the care of the parent, however sadly it is not uncommon for wild Mathieus to abandon a clutch. This can be the result of a Mathieu being chased out of someone else's territory, or deciding his nest is in an unsuitable spot.

Unlike captive Mathieus, evolutionary pressures mean wild Mathieus tend to favour highly defensible locations. If circumstances have led to a nest becoming insecure, many wild Mathieus will abandon the eggs and hope to mate again that season. Domesticated Mathieus, as many keepers know, will regularly opt to nest inside a tipped over laundry basket in the middle of the kitchen, or many other impractical and less than ideal places!

Have you seen any evidence that the nest is being attended? Most Mathieus will pack dirt down over their eggs, allowing them to stay warm during periods of absence. If twenty-four hours pass with no sign of the Mathieu, this is likely to be an abandoned nest.

The eggs will definitely not survive being left outside during a storm. Transfer them indoors (wear gloves, a Mathieu's eggs are coated with venom to deter predators) and wrap them in a towel placed in front of your radiator or open oven set to a low heat (do not place the eggs in the oven). Assuming you do not have a license to breed Mathieus, the nearest vet should be contacted immediately. They will be able to arrange immediate transportation to an appropriate incubator or foster Mathieu, where hopefully the eggs will hatch safely.

Even if you aren't an experienced Mathieu breeder, it is usually possible for you to adopt the infants once hatched and ready to leave the nest, if this is something you would like to do. There are few things sweeter than a nest full of chirruping infants, however do bear in mind that they will of course grow to full adult size and require appropriate care, enrichment and living space. A Mathieu is for life!

Thank you for looking out for the wild Mathieus in your area, and do let us know if you are able to save the eggs. We'll be thinking of you!