Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well brandon she has not eaten in about 3-4 weeks no matter how hard I try she just wont eat.I think she is starting to get A little bigger I dont know lease tell me what other type of info and I will see if I can make it happen.thanks for your help
Richard
Tunahound@aol.com

If you witnessed copulation, it sounds like you may be on the right track. Females will usually stop feeding around 30 days before ovulation. This can be difficult to notice sometime, even by experienced breeders. Usually when females ovulate, they will coil loosly and look very uncomfortable while pearched. It will appear as if she has just eaten a large rat.

After ovulation, you will get the prelay shed, which occurs about 10-21 days before oviposition. Make sure she has a nest site she is comfortable with. This will be indicative by her entering and staying for days at a time. In my experience, females will become very restless 2 days before laying.......entering and leaving the nest box. Be very watchful during this time. You do not want her laying from the perch. It may also be a good idea to offer multiple nest sites for her to choose what she thinks is best. If you decide to go with maternal incubation, keep the nest completely dry, but keep the ambient humidity at 85-100%. You should also make sure there is adequate FRESH air flow, without allowing the humidity level to drop. Sounds hard, but you'll get the hang of it in time. It's good to get the practice in before the eggs are laid.

Temps are something of a controversial subject, that many have differing opinions. I used the temps described by Greg Maxwell. You can read about artifical incubation methods on his website. Some use low temps the first week, higher temps weeks 2-6, and lower temps again during the last week. Some have successfully hatched full clutches using a set temp during the entire process. Ranges have been from 86-90*, but higher temps have been known to cause problems........full term death, deformities, egg death, ect.

I am by no means an expert or athority on chondros. I've just been fortunate enough to produce 2 clutches of healthy hatchlings from the only two breedings I've attempted. Do as much research as you can on every aspect of keeping, feeding, and breeding. You'll be rewarded in time........hopefully soon. Enough rambling. Good luck.

Brandon Osborne

Well once agin you come to my rescue(LOL) I will keep you posted on her progress.thanks for your help
Richard