LLDG
New member
On the age thing, I am wondering what other people have noticed about when reproductive age ends in this species. It seems short compared to other species I’ve worked with, and that might be part of the problem with keeping the species going in captivity.
For females, at what age do they quit producing eggs? Last year my oldest female (5 years old) was with the male (in rotation) the same as the two younger females (3 years old), but laid no eggs, so was probably too old.
For males, at what age do they no longer breed? I know the are subject to "sudden death" so data on age at death might also be useful.
Just thinking about what else we can learn with this project!
Melody
Postby Leann@daygecko.com » Sat May 24, 2008 9:53 am
I think you are perfectly correct in your thinking. Our goals included to discover and solve husbandry problems. The hatchling deaths and female longevity is one of the problems.
In 2007, my three breeding females all did well in each giving a suitable number of eggs. Yet only 7 survive (1:6 m:f).
This year, only one female has obliged to lay more than one set of eggs; a second female has only laid one set of eggs and the third female will not breed at all.
Forcing the females on the male has resulted in some severe beatings but all the females have survived. Right now, not one of the females is showing any sign of being gravid. Disappointing.
I've had four offsprings so far and three have survived. I have only four eggs incubating.
I am doing some thinking on nutrition and my past successes. Everyone, do keep notes as to your nutrition husbandry.
For females, at what age do they quit producing eggs? Last year my oldest female (5 years old) was with the male (in rotation) the same as the two younger females (3 years old), but laid no eggs, so was probably too old.
For males, at what age do they no longer breed? I know the are subject to "sudden death" so data on age at death might also be useful.
Just thinking about what else we can learn with this project!
Melody
Postby Leann@daygecko.com » Sat May 24, 2008 9:53 am
I think you are perfectly correct in your thinking. Our goals included to discover and solve husbandry problems. The hatchling deaths and female longevity is one of the problems.
In 2007, my three breeding females all did well in each giving a suitable number of eggs. Yet only 7 survive (1:6 m:f).
This year, only one female has obliged to lay more than one set of eggs; a second female has only laid one set of eggs and the third female will not breed at all.
Forcing the females on the male has resulted in some severe beatings but all the females have survived. Right now, not one of the females is showing any sign of being gravid. Disappointing.
I've had four offsprings so far and three have survived. I have only four eggs incubating.
I am doing some thinking on nutrition and my past successes. Everyone, do keep notes as to your nutrition husbandry.