[StevePalmer]

I have a 14 year old female, and recently adopted a 3-4 year old male, now I was hoping tp combine them in one tank. I went out and got a tank for them set it all up, and but them both in. They werent immediately fighting for anything, but the male walked up and started vibrating his tail, so I got in the way and just separated them. Now I didn't realize the male would instantly want to mate. Is this going to stress my female to death? If she does decide to lay eggs, is this bad for the 14yo? I have never seen her lay an egg before. Gonna get a pic of tgem together for a size difference. Thanks everyone.

[Mardy]

Putting a male and female together, yes the male will always try to mate. This will most definitely stress out the female. And not only stress, they could get into fights where both geckos could get injured. If your female is 14 year old, she's past the breeding age. You should really just leave her living alone so she can have a happy rest of her lifespan.

Just my opinion, I wouldn't recommend putting anything in the tank with a 14 year old.

[StevePalmer]

Okay, that's understandable... However, i got this gecko when i young and have less the minimum for this old gal. Should i just leave her be in her 10 gallon, or let her take over the new 20 gallon and put the young male back in his 10? I guess what i am trying ask. Should i just keep doing what i have for the last 14 years, or try and upgrade her with new stuff? Just want to make her happy as possible.

[Mardy]

If you've had her for 14 years and she's been living in the 10 gallon, and seems comfortable and content, then I'd say keep her in the same 10 gallon. At that age, changes can stress them out a lot. You know you've done her right if she's lived 14 years, so keep at it

It's your call to make, but I think you should keep her in the same place she's been in for the past 14 years.

[StevePalmer]

Well i suppose i will just leave her be. But maybe i can spoil the new male a little bit. I may try and get another female, and try the breeding thing. Or put the male back in his 10gal, and try and return the 20gal. Money is money

[Elizabeth Freer]

Originally Posted by StevePalmer

Well i suppose i will just leave her be. But maybe i can spoil the new male a little bit. I may try and get another female, and try the breeding thing. Or put the male back in his 10gal, and try and return the 20gal. Money is money

Steve ~

I would upgrade your young male to the 20 gallon long with a slate tile substrate. Ringo will love the extra space and you will be able to landscape the tank to increase its appeal for humans and make it more interesting for him. Down the road a bit you could get a female more his age.

Well cared for leos can live into their 20s. I wonder whether anyone out there has records of when a leo is past egg-laying?

[acpart]

Since your female is 14 and has been alone all this time, it may be a good idea to let her stay alone. I don't think, though, that it should be a forgone conclusion that a male and a female together will stress the female because of the male wanting to mate. It depends on the individual geckos. I keep my breeding groups in 1.2 from Jan (tonight is the "wedding" night) through Oct. and there's rarely a problem. I also have a male leopard gecko that is with a female who no longer ovulates all year round. It helps that she spends nearly all her time in her magnet hide, but since he backs off when she signals "no", it's never been a problem and he's much calmer having another gecko there. I've had him alone, and he spends a lot more time trying to dig his way out of the cage. I've also had him with another female who got too stressed, so I changed the pairing.

Aliza

[Riverside Reptiles]

Personally, I wouldn't put a male in with her. He's obviously already shown breeding behavior towards her. This is bound to stress her at her age. And issues like egg binding could be a problem is she's never been bred. Not to mention, breeding in general, the depletion of calcium, etc all lead to a shorter life. If you already have the 20 gallon tank, use it for one of them. It shouldn't be about minimum requirements. If you can give one of them twice as much space...do it.

[cricket4u]

She deserves to spend the rest of her golden years happy and stress free

[StevePalmer]

Alrighty,I left the male in the 20 and shes back in her home. We will see how he reacts to his bigger area, thanks for help everyone. I'll get pictures of these guys soon.