Year 2, but having breeding issues

CBakke

New member
Hello Everyone,

I bred my leos on may 15th last year. I had 1.3 last year and they were all housed seperately. I placed the male in the female tanks and within 10 min he had done the deed, cleaned himself and was as happy as can be.

Well this year, I decided to only breed one of the females because I will be getting some Coleonyx Mitratus and I want to be able to give my new species some extra attention. Anyway, I have now tried putting my male in with my female 4 times and she has rejected him each time. She either smacks him with her tail if he nibbles her low or turns and nips back at him if he tries to grab hold by her neck. Neither of the two have any marks or injuries so I know they arnt being too rough. He always shakes his tail and rubs his pores on the ground before he tries too, just like he did last year.

Could someone give me some suggestions as to what to do here? I am breeding Sunglows and I like the reduced tail spotting alot and this is my best female for that and her babies were great last year too. I would like to avoid using the other femals if I can.

Plus I know what its like to be rejected over and over... I feel bad for the guy! Someone help a brother out! :coverlaugh:

Thanks,
Cameron
 
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hyposhawn

Newbie
1. You could try to get a new female.
2. You could wait a few weeks and then introduce the male.
3. Maybe the female isn't old enough?
 

jmhherpetology

New member
I would just leave them together. That is how I breed mine. Eventually, she will be submissive. "One night stand" introduction can be a lot more stressful then just letting two cage mates do what comes natural. I keep my breeders together all year long.
 

CBakke

New member
J,

Do you cycle temps and lighting at all? I did not do this last year or this year and my female looks like she is ovulating... so I dont think its an issue. Any thoughts?

-Cameron
 

acpart

Well-known member
I have heard of some females who just don't like a particular male, but if I'm reading correctly, this female accepted the male last year. One thing to try: if you have an actual tank that's bigger than the tub and can put them both in together for awhile where the female has room to hide, maybe she'll be more receptive after a bit. Sometimes the female will reject the male if she's not ovulating, but it sounds as if you think she is.

ALiza
 

jmhherpetology

New member
In my opinion I would cycle.


I don't agree. I have been breeding leopard geckos for years. I have never done any temperature cycling and have never had any problems. Leopard geckos have a "breeding season". There are two known "seasons" in captive populations. One is in the fall and other the late winter/spring (I have one group that does each). Most experts say that females ovulate during the season in which their "mother" did. Could be something hereditary...not sure if anyone has done any real research other than just anecdotal observation. Both of my breeding groups are put in the exact same conditions (sometimes even in the same cage with the same males), and yet year after year, one group breeds in the fall and the other in the spring.
 

hyposhawn

Newbie
I have bred for 2 years now-with cycling. I had about 8 leos that I kept but soon sold them away. My old signature stated them. I now have 2 leos
 

ColdBlooded

New member
I have bred for 2 years now-with cycling. I had about 8 leos that I kept but soon sold them away. My old signature stated them. I now have 2 leos

I don't think I believe you on this, Shawn, I'm sorry. I remember when you got your first gecko and you were on the other forum. :S It was not two years ago.
 

CBakke

New member
So the conclusion here is basically that either I am stressing her out by introducing him only for breeding or she is not ovulating even though I think she looks like she is.

Any other thoughts besides Shawn's experience?
 

ColdBlooded

New member
Sorry for going off topic, CBakke.

I am not a breeder but I have heard that some females just don't like particular males.. maybe she doesn't like him anymore? I wish I could offer you better information.
 

CBakke

New member
Ok. I think I am going to try him with one of my other females and see how things go. My goal was to be able to sell my male and 2 of the females after he breeds with the third to buy some more equipment and a new species. Hopefully things will work out with a different girl.

Thanks!
 

jmhherpetology

New member
I still think you should just try keeping them together longer. I have had times when I put a male in with a group of females and before my very eyes I watched him mount up on ALL of them. I have also had entire breeding seasons where I never saw a male mate with a female (but he obviously did because I got fertile eggs). Put them together and give it some time. I've never had a female refuse a male indefinately. In my experience, leopard geckos are like mice...give it some time and it just happens.
 
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