Veiled mating - success!!

[gwilliams]

Hi everyone -

Just wanted to let y'all know that our girl Cammie and boy Billy have finally mated - after months and months of waiting for the right time...

We introduced her into his cage yesterday and he knew exactly what to do - this time, she didn't run or hiss... so we're quite excited....

Cammie was already looking like she had many eggs inside of her and we thought she might just be gravid - so are there any signs to look for?

Thanks again - this is a wonderful community!

Glenna

 

[kinyonga]

Does she have a suitable place to dig in the cage to show you when she's ready to lay the eggs?

Signs of impending laying....roaming the cage looking for a place to lay the eggs, wider in the lower half of her body, drinks more than normal, may stop eating or slow down on it at least, etc.

Signs that she is gravid/producing eggs/non-receptive...wider in the lower half of her body, dark background color, hissing, gaping, rocking back and forth when shown to a male.

If she was already starting to produce eggs at the time of mating, you may find she will lay the clutch earlier than the usual 30 days....and it may be mostly/all infertile. The second clutch could follow sooner than normal in this case too.

 

[gwilliams]

Success

Thank you for the reply

She does not as of yet (today) have a sutiable place do dig/lay... I have read many different postings where some people say use a bucket of sand - and some say substrate - so we're quite confused as which is better - she has an xtra large screen cage with beautiful vines/plants... so I'm assuming I'd have to clear out the bottom and put something down there for her to lay at?

Also, with the eggs possibly not being fertile - how will I know? Should I go ahead an incubate them right away regardless?

And one more How soon after the first clutch can/would she lay the 2nd?
and do I keep introducing her to the male?

Thanks!!
Glenna

 

[laurie]

See all you had to do was report them to us and the problem is solved. Isn't this a great forum? jk Glad they finally mated for you.

 

[kinyonga]

I have used washed playsand for many years and it works well...especially the kind produced by Kings with the white bag and the red, blue and yellow beach toys on the front. Moisten it just enough to hold a tunnel.

I also have a 65 liter rubbermaid container that I use to move the females to once they start digging in the container in the cage. I cut a large hole in the lid and screen over it. I fill the container about 12" deep with playsand and put a branch in it. I add the female to the container once she starts digging and put the lid on the container...and add the UVB light over the lid. Be careful not to make the container too warm...after all, it is a closed space.

I always incubate the eggs and if they are infertile they will soon go bad. Usually you can tell if they are fertile when they are laid by the size and color...infertile eggs are like small jellybeans in size and usually not pure white. Fertile ones are slightly larger and white like chicken eggs. If you post a photo we can usually tell.

You could hold her outside the male's cage to see her reaction. If she is truly gravid/non-receptive she will show you by hissing, swaying, gaping, turning dark, etc.

I can't tell you for sure when she would lay the fertile clutch after one that was either infertile or mostly infertile. Sorry. It differs with the female and the cycle timing.

 

[gwilliams]

Thank you

Thank you for the great messages very informative! I will try that with the rubbermaid and the playsand... I wasn't sure if I should use sand or the tropical substrate....

When (hopefully) she will lays her eggs, I will take some pictures and upload them..... our little Maple (Pygmy Leaf) just laid 3 eggs, and I'm having a hard time telling if they're fertile or not... I'll take some pics of those and post as well

Thank you again!
Glenna

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I use both organic potting soil and playsand. About 75% sand & 25% organic potting soil. Sometimes the sand can pack itself down and the topsoil helps keep things from compacting and making it hard to dig. If you have any left over plant buckets. The free ones that come with the plant from the nursery. I use the old discarded ones for laying bins. They fit easily into even small cages and they are opaque so the female cant see thru them and they feel secure. You may need to wrap the outside of the cage with a curtain. The females need to feel safe to lay. And they dont like anyone watching them during this time. Whether it be another cham or you.

 

[kinyonga]

One thing...when she starts to dig, do not let her see you watching her whenever she is digging or in the hole. It makes them think that its not a safe place to lay the eggs so they abandon that hole...if it happens often enough it can lead to eggbinding and death.