New breeder questions

[martin98]

I've got my first pair of adult breeders and the seller said the female might be gravid. Should I keep the two separated for 30 days or so, just to see if she will lay eggs? Is that enough time? I really would like breed a pair and incubate the eggs sometime this year. But if she is gravid I won't know the parentage and would like to breed her to the male I bought. I know that they can retain sperm, but for how many clutches? I have enough sterilite tubs to keep them separated, just don't know for how long. thanks

[greenmonkey51]

I would keep them seperate for at least 2 months and add a month for every clutch she lays. I bought a female back in April  and shes layed 2 clutches so far. The worst thing you can do is to rush into things and stress her out. I would make sure shes got all the clutches out of her system and then fatten her up and get her calcium reserves up and then put them together.

[martin98]

Thanks, I really didn't think about the stress and calcium problems, let alone being shipped half way across the states. I'll leave her separated for 2 months or more if she lays more clutches, at least this gives me a reason to start looking for another female in the mean time ( don't want the male to get too lonely ).

[martin98]

I got home from work this morning and checked the lay box and found 2 perfect eggs. I'm stoked, my first crested eggs! Got them on perlite at 76 degrees and 80 percent humidity when I left for work tonight. I guess I'll keep the female alone another month and see what develops, in the mean time I'll look for another female to breed with my male.

[whtwulf]

congrats, I'm still waiting for my first eggs.  What kind of incubation set-up are you using?

[martin98]

I've got a 6"x9" deli container with 2" of perlite 50/50 with water. Seems a little dry to me, but the humidity is about right. I also have a digital temp/humidity monitor inside.

[Anthony Caponetto]

I rotate males with some, but I generally try to leave my geckos together all year, barring a 2-3 month break in the off season.