[Afelinus]

I am curious to hear others experience with the length of retention in female felinus housed individually after successful copulation in captivity.I have seen several anomalies that are now beginning to put together a clear picture of their capabilities.This is bearing out the idea of solitary lifestyle,and species preservation.I have experienced various lengths(some rather extreme),and would like to know what other keepers are experiencing.Hope to hear.Thanks in advance,Marcus.

[tanala]

you mean sperm retention? Or retention of eggs?
if sperm retention, i have exact data from my 2 females. 190 and 193 days. There's an article in the current edition of the german 'Elaphe' about retention in felinus. The author (Herbert Rösler) verified 293 days. This is up to now the longest duration of sperm retention in geckos....

Sebastian

[Riverside Reptiles]

Marcus, I don't have any specific data on mine. But I do know that it's varied greatly from female to female. I've had some instances where a female has retained sperm for 6 months or more. And others where the female has only laid one or two clutches and then stopped. These females all live in the same herp room under the same environmental conditions and feeding regime.

[Afelinus]

Sebastian,yes I was speaking of sperm retention.Usually a longer than safe period of egg retention would be referred to as "egg binding".As far as the sperm retention abilities,I am seeing some females showing the ability to retain sperm up to 10 months,approaching 11 months.There is even a period where she shuts down from her normal period of production,then starts up again.As Ethan mentioned,some just stop,never to produce again without introduction.

I have also began to experiment with keeping two females together,and also to house them in pairs(1.1) once a female is in her egg producing cycle.It has produced some intriguing results.Although I will wait to use more control groups to bear out the results,it is interesting to see.

[tanala]

ok, i wasn't familar with the different terms. So your 11 months fit into the observations form the article i metioned. I suppose you won't publish some of those intriguing results here...any news about your book?
what do you think...in nature, they might stop egg producing during 'unsuitable' months (dry and or cold and or low food supply).Then, if biotic and abiotic factors are getting better, females can restart to develop eggs, even if they dont find any partner (due to their solitary lifestyle)...

regards
sebastian

[Afelinus]

Sebastian,excellent questions and very estute observations.Yes,seems several environmental factors can play a part in(retention and egg production) in captivity,and would more than likely be the same in the wild,if they were subjected to them in some similar way.I really haven't seen the article you're referring to,but it sounds like it would support what is happening here.The book is taking a back seat to more developments(coming soon) concerning this Genus.Just my personal idea that it should be as thorough and in depth as possible.The information will be shared here to some degree,just want to see how far it takes me first,and be diligent and not rush to any premature conclusions.

You already mentioned something very important,so I believe you are following the same path,which will be more developed as this progresses.Marcus.

[baugh]

are you taking the age of both the male and female into consideration? if perhaps the female is young or old she may not be able to keep sperm for as long as, one that is two years old? or maybe the male is a little young or a little older? there for his sperm count is not as high. i have not been keeping A. Felinus as long as any of you but this is what i had thought of while reading these posts.

[Afelinus]

Yes,there is quite a group being worked with,cbb,ltc,ch,various ages and weights.There are at least 30 animals involved.Good point though.

[tanala]

well if there are taxonomic changes going on, it might be wise to wait...
You are absolutely right, one must be careful with spreading new info in the www!
My durations of time given above are precise insofar as i have the exact date of the separation (but not the last mating) and the exact date of the last egg laying. The last mating must have been logically before separating, so the 190 and 193 days are minimum time.
That article is more like a 'short note' yet interesting.

regards
sebastian

[Afelinus]

Since you have also experienced the same,have you also experienced the pause or lull in egg production,only to see a female start up again ? They can also be manipulated to stop by the presence of a newly introduced cagemate(male or female),which lends to the idea of species preservation,not just seasonal,or patterned breeding.This has a lot to do with it's choices of solitary lifestyle,or it's lack of when faced with company,close in proximity.