Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my first batch of macleays spectre hit adulthood around 1 month ago, but it was only the males that became adults at this stage (obviously the females had another shed to go).

They were fine, feeding well etc. But my first female hit adulthood within the last few days and suddenly within 24 hours I have found 5 DEAD males!?

What the hell is going on? Do they die after mating or something, I'm hoping thats the case or something weird is happening.

That sounds quite unusual. The males shouldn't die immediately after mating. Review your care/housing requirements.

The only thing that I can think of would be contaminated (with pesticide or toxins) plant matter that's being provided for their diet. Any drastic temperature/humidity changes? etc....

Let us know if you find the answer.

No change in temperature... I make sure of that because I've got many more more exotic animals.

And as far as contaminated plants go they shouldn't be because they were out of my back garden because I wondered if it was that. And as only the males died (but not all of them thankfully) of the macleays it seemed strange because I have indians in there too and theyre still alive and kicking.

Well, no more have died anyway so I guess it isn't too big a deal now. Just got worried thinking I would have no fertile eggs!

Cheers.

Well ur prickly females would have laid eggs anyways. They are parthenogenic in the absence of males. My whole colony of Extatosoma are female. I haven't had a male for them in years.