Oedura Castelnaui not breeding!

[hdavidf309]

My 1.1 O. castelnaui will not breed at all and it is a bit disheartening, since I love them so very much. Female is Amelanistic and male is a very nice "normal". Both adult age. I was wondering if you may have any thoughts/advice for me and what I should do to help my cause. Please note that I have been patient and have had these together off and on for the last 8 months (minimum). Please help!

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

My 1.1 O. castelnaui will not breed at all and it is a bit disheartening, since I love them so very much. Female is Amelanistic and male is a very nice "normal". Both adult age. I was wondering if you may have any thoughts/advice for me and what I should do to help my cause. Please note that I have been patient and have had these together off and on for the last 8 months (minimum). Please help!

How old are they? Good idea to wait till they are about 2 yo.

Have you cooled them?

Check the Brumation Guidelines written by Jerry Peebles right after the Oc caresheet here:

http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...bitat-husbandry-breeding-recommendations.html

 

[hdavidf309]

They are both approximately 2.5 years old but just cooling (again?) for this winter period. I do not separate them anymore, but I will hav eto see what happens, come Jan.-Feb. I guess. any other advice?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

They are both approximately 2.5 years old but just cooling (again?) for this winter period. I do not separate them anymore, but I will hav eto see what happens, come Jan.-Feb. I guess. any other advice?

???cooling (again?)---not sure what you mean.

Jerry recommends brumation prep to begin in October. If you brumate, it is very important to follow Jerry's guidelines exactly.

However, I did begin brumation in Feb once. That part depends upon whether you can meet the temperature lows for the entire 8 weeks.

Don't think it makes a difference whether you brumate them together.

That works and that is all the advice I have.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Sorry that I was hasty in my reply above?

Did you find Jerry Peebles' Brumation Guidelines, the second post on the thread that I linked above?

Oedura castelnaui are one of my favorite genuses. I have 11 adults. I've been working with these guys since 2003. In 2012 eight fertile eggs were laid. All hatchlings were beautiful. Have 3 males left from those.

Have you specific questions?

I am a minimalist regarding vitamins, but "fairly" consistent in dusting their prey (mostly crickets, a few dubia) about 2x weekly with calcium with vitamin D3.

 

[hdavidf309]

yes I have gotten all responses, and am just in the process of cooling now until about February. I have read and understood everything you have sent, and also have taken a look at the article. I do not think you were out of line with your reply, no worries. I appreciate your replies and will definitely be in contact here, should I have any additional question.

 

[jufooty]

Danny brown states in his book on Australian geckos that the larger species of oedura sometimes do not mate until they are 36 months of age, despite reaching maturity before this.

 

[hdavidf309]

That is very interesting, Jufooty! I am a big advocate of Dr. Danny Brown and trust his advice and opinions. I also trust FULLY what Elizabeth Freer has to say, as she has great advice and also has bred these specific species for some time. I also trust any literature that she has me take a look at and anyone's advice she recommends. ALL OF THAT SAID- in the end, I will keep in mind all advice and articles, and I thank you all. I really hope for a decent-great breeding season this next year in 2014 and I wish you all the same in your endeavors. I will be posting and checking here regularly to see if there are additional comments....until then THANK YOU ALL!