[meisen]

As the title says, I have a question about turning off egg-laying in Nephrurus. Can it be done? My female has produced 4 clutches this season and her weight isnt exactly where I'd like it at this point. I acquired her after she had already thrown the first 3. Basically from what I have read they just lay a number of clutches per season and that's it, not much you can do either way....but I hear up to 7 clutches per season, I am not sure she could take three more!!!

Has anyone had luck in somehow redirecting a female from production to the more important weight gain/recovery of bodyfat stores/growth/preparation for cooling? Cooling the cage a bit? Changing photoperiod? Moisture less or more? Obviously I could not cool her and keep her warm and well fed over the winter, that is an option though I'd lose next summer's production with that strategy. I know females retain sperm so they can lay fertile clutches beyond a single mating. Do additional matings stimulate production or is it irrelevant? Some folks have suggested additonal matings at least increase chances of getting fertile eggs. I'd prefer if I can't get my female to stop laying that her eggs are at least fertile but don't want to put the male back in and have that stimulate more egg production or something. It seems like making fertile eggs is about as energetically expensive as making infertile ones, no?

So what have the more experienced folks seen in their animals? Again, I know she was likely bred too early or at least right at the threshold for size, it wouldn't have been my choice

[NigelMoses]

I would also be interested in hearing comments. I have been told to reduce temps to low 80s during the day, I hope this helps.

[knobfan]

I'm no expert, but I suggest gradually decreasing the temperature slowly day by day and after a week of feeding every other day stop feeding until you get to your cooled temperature back in 08, but I can't say much about my production. I was a rookie then though.

[MauricesExoticPets]

Reduce the daytime light schedule by one or two minutes per day (it helps if you have a digital timer here) and cut back on low fat feeders.

Replace a mix of random feeders with gravid female feeders and more insects in line with wax worms etc.

I'm afraid a rapid temp reduction might cause other problems.

I suggest you keep the temps as you have them now with respect to day and night, the difference in duration between the day and night should trigger interest in gaining weight for an upcoming cooling period.

Mainly you would be providing less hours of daytime temps and more of the lower night time temps for a total lower heating period.

This is an easier method than generaly lowering temps and light cycle at the same time.

The higher fat content feeders (including gravid feeder insects) should help her put on some weight while you adjust the light schedule.

Hope this helps
Maurice Pudlo

[meisen]

Sounds good, thanks for the advice guys. I like the idea of just shortening the day cycle for them though thats all ready sort of happening with their only light from an indirect window. I didn't know if someone had actually documented doing that and it having an effect or not. I will pile on the high fat content feeders for a bit and hope that gets her back up to size.

[joris]

you can also try if she likes baby mice , that will help to!!