[lizardsofwar]

I have kept a pair for nearly 6 years. They are in good health in a planted 48" x 18" x 18" enclosure with bark on the sides. They get a slight winter cool down to mid 60s at night low 70s day and Summers in the mid 70s. I have never got a fertile egg from them. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[NigelMoses]

I am not trying to sound like a smart ass, well maybe but are you sure you have a male/female pair? Also have they ever been kept apart?

[lizardsofwar]

That's a valid question, but yes I am sure they are a pair. The hemipenal bulges are obvious on the male and completely lacking on the female (see photos).

I have never kept them apart. They have been housed together the entire 6 years I have had them. Separating them for a while may be a good idea. Have you heard of this being done with lineatus to induce breeding behavior? Is it best to remove the male or female from the enclosure? For how long? What time of year? Thank-you for your insight!

[NigelMoses]

I definitely think that separating them can help. I separate all my uroplatus species come winter time, that being now. I would take the male out of the enclosure and set him up elsewhere. From the pictures they look male and female. I have never breed lineatus but this has worked for others. Your setup looks great, but I would add some bamboo, lineatus really seem to like smooth branches. Although you have had them for six years so you clearly know what you are doing with them.

And it is interesting that you have never separated them, think about it. If you were put in a closet with a female/male for six years, yeah it's probably interesting at first but after a little bit you would probably get sick of seeing the others face, hahaha. After about the fourth year or so, you would probably contemplate killing the other, maybe sooner.

[luevelvet]

I think Bruce hit it on the head. If you separate them for a month or more, you may find the male more interested in the female. But constant cohabitation is an easy way of boring your males to celibacy!

Luis

[lizardsofwar]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will have to put some bamboo in again. It has been a couple years but they did seem to enjoy vertically oriented bamboo. I'll pull the male and reintroduce him this spring. Hopefully that will get things going. Do you change the misting schedule/intensity in the spring as well?

It seems like separating my leachianus helped stimulate breeding behavior although my phelsuma and R. ciliatus seem to keep interest in the same partner(s) without any encouragment.