Breeding questions

[Friendsnotwar]

I now have a 1.2 set up of adult crested geckos and i want to do as much as possible to promote healthy breeding between them. I have a couple of questions, but I want all the advice that I can get so throw it on me.

1. do the two females need separate laying boxes?
2. what's the perfect laying box, and the perfect substrate for inside, I'm thinking vermiculite.
3. how do I know if the females are gravid?
4. how long between clutches should I expect?
5. what should I do with the eggs when I get them?

I am definitely in the position to get whatever they're gonna need so just let me know.

also, what are some tips to promote breeding?

thanks a ton!!!!

[mlededee]

1. They can and will use the same lay box.

2. I use tupperware/gladware type rectangular food containers with a hole cut/melted in the lid. They are about 6"x4"x4". I fill them about halfway with damp coconut coir bedding (bed-a-beast is specifically what I use) and put a layer of damp spagnum moss over this to hold in the moisture better. About once per week I stir up the bed-a-beast and mist as needed. They usually lay right on the bottom so you can lift up the lay box and look at the bottom of it to check for eggs since the containers are clear. I would not recommend vermiculite or perlite as a lay box substrate because if ingested it can cause impactiong (they do tend to get some of the substrate in their mouths while digging and rooting around for their lay spot).

3. Females generally become gravid within 1-2 months of being placed with a male if they are of proper size and age and if the temps are not too cold. Their first clutch is usually 2-3 months after being placed with a male. You can gently palpate their sides below their ribs to feel for eggs--this area is usually soft but when they are gravid you can feel the hard eggs in their sides about a week before they lay.

4. Clutches are laid every 3-4 weeks.

5. You should incubate the eggs at room temperature (68-78 degrees) in a deli cup or rubbermaid shoebox container filled halfway with hatchrite or moist perlite that has no additives or fertilizers (mix 1 part water to 1.5-2 parts perlite).

As long as it is not too cold and your geckos are healthy they should breed for you quite easily. Make sure that males are at least 30 grams before breeding and that females are at least 12 months old and 35-40 grams with good calcium reserves. You can check the calcium sacks by opening their mouths and looking at the roof of their mouth toward the back--you should see a large white sack on each side (see http://www.napalm.at/imgs/ciliaten/calciumtaschen.jpg and http://www.pangeareptile.com/Images/care/calsac800.jpg). If these are small or not obvious you need to wait until they are before breeding. A diet of CGD (not mixed with babyfood or anything else other than water) and optional dusted insects is key.

[Friendsnotwar]

god, emily you are the best!!!

[mlededee]

Hey, you ask you get answers!

[bonez]

where can i find some perlit without vertilizer in it? i went to homedepot, even kingkullen.though there is a couple more places i need to try.

[wendy]

i used 2 big 7 inch deep pots with a fake plant and moist vermiculite in it. i knew they laid when the plant was ripped out.about every 28 days.if they are sexually mature they will breed right away. they all used the same pot. then i would fetch the eggs and used a clear container w/ about 3/4 moist vermiculite, the put them 1/2 way in. put the lid w/ holes in. put them in a small cooler w/ holes and about an inch of water.put them on the shelf. worked well.about every 70 days give or take a few, always had pups! everybody does things differently, you will find what works for you. but there is alot of great advice in these columns! good luck!