I have a pair of werners, I know they r live baring but I read something about them being seasonal breeders? Does anyone know how to breed these guys and how often they can breed a year?
They are pretty much like a Jackson's, if you are familiar. The questions is how fast do you want to burn the female out?
The male will breed, no matter the "season". The female needs to recoup after having a litter, that could be a few weeks if you are trying to produce many babies quickly, the more caring/humane way is to give her a few months and fatten back up before you let them go at it. You should keep them separated after a successful copulation.
Yes sorry I think that came across wrong..... I like to keep my animals in top shape and give all my female breeders breaks. I would like to get babies cause it's a great feeling of accomplishment but not at the expense of my female. I am unfortunately not familiar with the breeding of Jackson's.
Well mine only bred once a year usually early in the year (Jan-March) when the days started to become a little longer. I try and mimic the weather conditions in their native Tanzania, as opposed to the usual husbandry techniques that are parroted by people here and on social media, so my animals behaved a little differently. Some of these weirder species do come from some extreme conditions and areas my thoughts are they need to replicated in captivity for them to survive and thrive.
As Trace stated seasonal replication is a must for certain species and werneri is one of those species. Seasonal variation involves temperature and rainfall. It should also be noted that this variation is needed for the longterm health of the animals.
Both of my werneri pairs bred in March. At breeding time both females were already gravid so this species is capable to taking and holding sperm. The females gave birth at the end of August to the clutch's they were already carrying.
Now a year after breeding here both females are huge and should be dropping their clutch's soon.
There appears to be two birthing seasons each year depending on the age of the female when she is bred. Virgin females bred for the first time drop their clutch's later in the year while older females who have previously produced drop their clutch's earlier in the year.
Thanks a bunch guys! They are at home doing great and the female is defiantly gravid. So Carl are you saying I should try breeding her now for the next breeding or wait. I don't want to over breed and I don't want to stress her out when she is gravid. Again I am new with these guys. I do have a mellers so I know it's basically the same housing conditions just in a smaller scale but I only know about breeding panthers.
Also I am keeping them so they can't see each other as I do with my panthers. Is this required for this species as well? I'm assuming so but just thought I better ask
It really depends on the time of year and the personalities of the individuals. Sometimes the gravid females get stressed out by the close proximity of the males so adding a barricade was needed. Some females didn’t care. Some males will constantly display to the ladies if they see them; some not. Use your discretion. If you would rather not take chances or if you think you might miss some of the signs, then a simple sightline barrier between cages will not hurt.
You won't over breed them. They only drop a single clutch each year.
I've only kept them separate. My males are relentless with trying to breed. The only way I knew my females were receptive was they became very active climbing the cage walls.
Try showing the male to the female. You will know very quick if she is ready.
Thanks. I'll see what they are like this weekend or the next. Unfortunately as I just got them I'm not sure how far along she is but I'm 99% sure she is gravid. I'll post pics tomorrow if I have time. They are a great species.
The male werners is sleeping on the ground in the corner and the front of the tank. He is very active and climbs all over during the day but is sleeping on the ground. Anyone find this weird?
One of my adult males sleeps on the lowest branch in the cage which is only about an inch from the bottom. He's been doing this for about 6 month's now. During the day he acts normal.