Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I very recently bought a trio of proven chucks. As its winter here I naively assumed that I would have plenty of time to research chuck breeding; unfortunately, the chucks dont seem to care, and are at it like rabbits already.

I really need any and all information on breeding from the most basic - I have tried to search the forum, but to be frank I have found the search engine dire and have been unable to find the information I need. Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Sounds like your chucks have it all figured out Just kidding, if they are breeding then assuming the female becomes gravid, you will have around 90 days to prepare for the laying of the eggs. There are a number of individuals on this site that have had success in incubating and rearing the babies.

I think part of the problems Im having though are not really being sure how to set up a laying area for chucks. I mean, I would assume they want to lay in fairly deep sand, but is this correct and is there anything else that needs to be accounted for to create a suitable laying area? Is there something else that will provide a better laying substrate? And will dampened sand for laying cause humidity to rise too high? My cage is extremely well ventilated, but even so Im concerned. How about placing vermiculite directly into the cage, which I have read on another site? Im finding that Im having to fall back on other species information and guesswork, which I really dont want to do lol Im also terrified that my poor little beasties will become egg-bound.

This has always workd for me. Get a large plastic box at least 6 inches deep. Other dimensions are not critical but I would go no smaller than 11 x 15. Fill it with damp play sand to the top on one end and slope it down to about an inch deep on the opposite end and pack it. Cut a piece of plywood about 2 inches short of the length of the plastic box leaving it short on the end with the 1 inch deep sand. Lay a rock on top to the plywood does not shift around and lean a rock up against it so the chuck has easy access to the top pf the box. Put it in a corner of the cage near the basking light so it stays nice and warm. Make it so the end with the deep sand is against a wal as it offers a little privacy. Some people say to use solid colored plastic boxes so it is dark but I have always used the translucent Sterilte boxes and have never had one refuse to lay. Temp is not critical but you don't want a amp cold area as they will avoid it. When I dampen the sand I usually use hot water to get it warm right off the bat. Once in the cage just slide the female in the open end and she will usually instantly investigate it. If she jusmps right back out do it again. You may even want to do it once the next day. This is enough to let her know it's there and she will do the rest. Sometimes they will keep digging around in the box. If this happens for more than a week repack the sand as mentioned above and add a little more hot water to make it more damp. Just be careful that it is not so much water that it puddles in the bottom of the container. Do not worry at all about humidity as chucks get way more humidity in their hides in the wild than you think, it will not bother them.
Pull the eggs after she has buried them and put them in the incubator with damp vermiculite. I soak it then squeeze out as much as I can. No scientific measuring and I have had almost a 100% hatch rate. Bury them about 2/3 to 3/4 into the vermiculite and keep the temp from 88 to 92. Again not that critical. I have had them fluctuate between 84 and 96 with no problems. Good luck and keep us posted.
Tom

Great post, but I'm having some difficulties visualizing this, I lost ya at the rock to hold the short piece of wood from shifting, "and the rock so she can get to the top of box." Where does the second rock you use sit? Are you opening/cutting one end of the box?

hahahhahahaha, I know I'm a goofball, just trying to picture the GREB- EGGER BOX

Help an old friend to understand, lol

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PHEve / Eve

No problem. No you do not cut the box at all. Just set the piece of plywood that is about 2 inches shorter the the top of the box. So the plywood will be sitting on the top of three sides and there will be a 2 inch gap on the fourth side. One rock on top to hold the plywood in place so she can't knock it off on herself and then the other rock goes next to the box so she can easily climb up on top to bet into the box. I wish I could draw some sort of picture and post but , ya know......
Tom

I like the idea, but won't the plywood absorb a lot of the humidity from the sand? Perhaps that is why you have such succes...the plywood wicks up the humidity rather than lets it drop back down onto the sand...hmmmmmm.

May have to try this...when I have time to get some chucks.

J

A KISS -UP thats the more decent one, hahahahahaha, LMAO

Thats for not talking to your reptile buddies enough anymore Sockhead
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PHEve / Eve

Your such a nice guy, lol
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PHEve / Eve

Thats absolutely superb. Thanks so much!