animateash
Member
Read some other threads about older geckos still producing eggs but still wanted to get insight into likelihood in my specific situation.
I have a 17yr old female who I have raised from a few days old, very chubby and robust.
I also have a very healthy 13yr old who I always thought was female, because there was an absence of visible bulges or distinct pores. They've always shared the same 40gallon set up. I know housing females together will garner mixed opinions, but I did it somewhat out of ignorance, somewhat out of necessity. When I acquired the younger one, I lived in an apt where the manager would only allow 1 tank of reptiles, and having never seen any aggression between the two I kept them housed together long term.
The 13yr old recently had a slight hemipene prolapse, at which point I realized "whoops...you've been a guy this whole time??" The vet was unable to get the prolapse to tuck back in, so they amputated it to ensure there would never be infection/necrosis. The gecko recovered excellently and has been eating like crazy ever since. The vet did agree that the subtlety of his pores and the head shape made them understand why I had mis-sexed him for so long.
In addition to eating like a pig, HE is also trying to mate with his female roommate for the first time ever. I swear, I had never seen this behavior once prior to the prolapse, but now it's almost like he's thinking "I've got one 'peen left, better use it or lose it!" I have not witnessed a successful coupling, but he's been quite determined. I've prepared a new terrarium to separate him out, now that I live in the house and have the leeway to do so.
I never intended to breed anyone, but now I can't help but be curious. What's the likelihood that two geckos of these ages could successfully produce? I will separate the male regardless to save the female from stress, but is it worth trying to do proper breeding sessions to see if eggs happen? Are there factors I can adjust to boost my chances? I have provided an egg laying box just in case, but so far I do not see indications she's gravid presently.
I have a 17yr old female who I have raised from a few days old, very chubby and robust.
I also have a very healthy 13yr old who I always thought was female, because there was an absence of visible bulges or distinct pores. They've always shared the same 40gallon set up. I know housing females together will garner mixed opinions, but I did it somewhat out of ignorance, somewhat out of necessity. When I acquired the younger one, I lived in an apt where the manager would only allow 1 tank of reptiles, and having never seen any aggression between the two I kept them housed together long term.
The 13yr old recently had a slight hemipene prolapse, at which point I realized "whoops...you've been a guy this whole time??" The vet was unable to get the prolapse to tuck back in, so they amputated it to ensure there would never be infection/necrosis. The gecko recovered excellently and has been eating like crazy ever since. The vet did agree that the subtlety of his pores and the head shape made them understand why I had mis-sexed him for so long.
In addition to eating like a pig, HE is also trying to mate with his female roommate for the first time ever. I swear, I had never seen this behavior once prior to the prolapse, but now it's almost like he's thinking "I've got one 'peen left, better use it or lose it!" I have not witnessed a successful coupling, but he's been quite determined. I've prepared a new terrarium to separate him out, now that I live in the house and have the leeway to do so.
I never intended to breed anyone, but now I can't help but be curious. What's the likelihood that two geckos of these ages could successfully produce? I will separate the male regardless to save the female from stress, but is it worth trying to do proper breeding sessions to see if eggs happen? Are there factors I can adjust to boost my chances? I have provided an egg laying box just in case, but so far I do not see indications she's gravid presently.