Phelsuma madagascariensis clutches

[mkschaefer]

Hello,

I have been closely monitoring my female madagascariensis lately as she was quite gravid. When I came home this evening, I did not see her, but decided to look in a bamboo hollow that appeared (to me, so take that for what it is worth because I am not a female Phelsuma) to be a suitable deposition site. When I looked in the hollow, I discovered two clutches.
I acquired these animals in January from Kurt Lantz (The Rep Room... your source for fine reptiles.) so they are doing quite well for me thus far. My Phelsuma kochi are extremely prolific (I received more than 25 hatchlings one year from a single pair), so I wonder if this species is similar. Phelsuma kochi are one of the few species that I have to work at so they stop producing year round. Anyway, I can't wait to hatch some madgascariensis!
As you can tell, the male can be a little rough with her.

 

[daggekko]

I was reading that and was thinking "geez he hasn't had them for very long" Awesome job!:biggrin:

 

[terradas]

Wow, she dropped 2 clutches at once?

I'm starting to wonder if the same thing is going on with my female grandis, thought she would have laid weeks ago.

I've grown pretty fond of mad mads. I previously wrote them off as a lesser grandis, but I'm loving the orange and speckled turquoise. Your male is very impressive too, as I recall.

 

[geckogurl21]

Aww she is cuteee! Can't wait to see the babies.

 

[dakinecornell]

Once the female mad mads start laying they are like chickens. Two things, I would watch for: male aggression in this species and watch the females weight as males tend to have that "eat first ask question later mentality" if kept together.

 

[jadrig]

They do produce a lot if you want them too. The babies are real pretty. I need a male Hmmm:scratchhead:

 

[mkschaefer]

Thank you for the insights. I had not seen the female for a day so I looked in the same site and there was another clutch. I'm serious. I may separate them for a bit but the female looks in good condition.

 

[daggekko]

How'd she aquire that lovely bald spot? Also, did you candle the eggs to see if one set was a few weeks ahead of the others?

When I got my pair of P pasteuri they were fine for a few weeks. Then I was sitting home one morning and the male was chasing the hell out of the female. Her skin was nipped up(not bad, but lots of little black spots everywhere). I took him out for something like 2-4 weeks and put him back in and they have been great ever since. Well except when I put some sort of fruit that just puts them over the top:biggrin: Then they fight over the bowl(even though I give them 2 bowls). Anyhow, where I was getting is that if the bald spot is because of the male being a terrorist, take him out for a bit so hopefully he'll learn his lesson;-)

 

[mkschaefer]

I have heard that the males can be aggressive breeders so I monitor them. She has another mark on her nape. He won't chase her incessantly or harass her (like my borbonica), but he is fairly rough while physically mating.

 

[Aimless]

very cool! I have a single female mad-mad and she's a great gecko. I've considered picking up a male and breeding her, but have been concerned about the aggression.

daggekko, thanks for the tip -

and apparently, they like to lay in bamboo. good to know those egg pictures are awesome.

 

[jadrig]

They are pretty aggressive towards thier mates for 'larger' Phelsuma, but they will be fine...two separate babyfood/nectar dishes helps out.
Madagascariensis seem to slough their skin easier and quicker than any other species I have kept. I had a WC pair about 17 years ago...they did really well for a couple seasons. The male got out and my brother grabbed him. His whole side of skin slid off and was just hanging. It healed suprisingly fast, but it will always look patchy.
They have a LOT of personality and are great animals...but the females will burn out. Dont be hesitant to separate them, but they do not always reintroduce as good as the first time.