Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How soon after copulation, would a female ackie lay eggs. I just about caught my pair in the act.They are young and inexperienced and fell off their stack. But this was definately, an attempt at breeding. Only thing is what I thought was my male, was on the recieving end. I thought this because that is the more agressive one, usually the one chaseing the other. Who I was thinking either female or sub-male?? Any input would be appreciated, be a nice break from what has been argued lately. Thanx much, Clint

This has not been mentioned for sometime, at least I have not seen it, so I will address it again.

First, mounting, what looks exactly like breeding, is common with all monitors in captivity and may or may not have anything to do with reproduction. Both sexes will mount members of anyother sex and will do this at any age.

Once a friend was here and looked in a cage of two day old ackies and yelled, holy crapola, those babies are mating. Yes, even at two days old.

Its seems to be an extreme attempt at positioning in a group. In nature or very large cages, only the slighest head movement is enough to comunicate to another individual and get a responce. But in confined quarters, they simply cannot get a correct responce. If one wants another to leave, it can't. Where is it going to go. So instead of whispering, get out of here, they now have to yell and scream. Get out of here.

Also, its not always, get out of here, but also, get off my basking area or get away from my food, or if I catch you next to my girl/boy friend. There are lots of reasons for this mounting behavior. The next level of this is, doing harm to the other. So please take it as a warning.

If indeed it was breeding, and the female is cycling(has viable ovum) then nesting and egg laying can happen as fast as 8 days, or, as long as never, depends of cage conditions.

I have a red ackie down now(nesting). Recently I have not been paying attention to my smaller monitors, but, last week I recieved eggs from my stripe necked ackies, today, if I am lucky, eggs from red ackies, and I have two yellow ackies gravid too. I guess feeding is important. Good luck with yours, FR

To client:

It took 3 weeks for the female to lay eggs after the last time I saw my ackies mating. The female stopped eating for 2 or 3 days before laying eggs. So this may be a sign after
all.

To FR:

I am not sure if this is what you are up to but my ackies where fighting like crazy for 4 weeks after putting them together. It really was a mess. Fights stopped the very day the mating started and never happened again. They share food, space and hiding spaces by now. The second mating period came without fighting.
Is the male just breaking the females will or has the fighting nothing to do with mating at all?

Many greetings,

Timo

These two things have nothing to do with one another.

You will get fighting without mating and mating without fighting.

Fighting is simply fighting and mating mating.

Now the next step would be why are they fighting?? Then address that situation.

Good luck

I am happy for your success, but you need to consider, that monitors are individuals and change all the time. Also, you seem to be working with two. The next two you introduce may not react the same, in fact, they rarely do.

This is what experience tells you, they will all change as they age and they all will fail, sooner or later. The questions is, how will they fail and why.

I will bet, your monitors will do the same things next year, only they will do it way differently.

I have been breeding ackies since 91 and I have learned to simply follow them and do not expect them to act this way or that way. Continued good luck FR

Hy Fr,

you are right! I just have a pair of ackies. Just thought I could write down the things i saw. God, I am far from knowing a lot but I am curious what will happen next time when I introduce the next pair of monitors.
But after all I think it is interesting that biting stoped when mating began. It all boild down to mating after all.

Best regards,

Timo

This mounting you mention does this include tail positioning as well? The one on top was definately trying to position his tail (strategicly). The fighting I mentioned was happening prior to them being moved into their stock tank. I intentionaly setup two stacks as well as two basking spots, which I felt would give them options with each other. I still see chases and occasional tail biting but with much less frequency. The escape routes are numerous so chases don't last too long. Just when I think I know a little about them, they do something to completely send me back to my drawing board. I quess I'm hoping I got confirmation of an opposite sexed pair. Well, so much for that idea. Thanx all for the input, Clint

"Just when I think I know a little about them, they do something to completely send me back to my drawing board."

hahahahahahahahahaha

I know that feeling, all too well.

The frustration is part of the fun, notice how most monitor keepers are stubborn fools? hahahahahaha

Good Luck,

--Robert

The challenge of it all is what keeps me interested,I think. An occasional triumph would be alright. Yes, generaly I'm pretty stubborn. If you read this, what size enclosure do you keep your peachies in, from what I've read most keep them in a somewhat terrestrial type enclosure. Aren't they a somewhat arboreal species. I've got an interest in them, I'm drawn to the indo and aussie species for whatever reason. I'm considering a pair of peachies, maybe in the summer. I'd be interested in hearing any info you'd have concerning them. There is not much written on them at least I haven't come across much yet. I plan to get ahold of Stefani, maybe he would shed some light on the subject. Well hope you can help with the peachies. Later, Clint

I've got an assortment of cages, from 4x6x5, 4x5x5, 4x2x4 and 6.5x2.5x3 that I use mostly for jobiensis. I'm currently working on a couple 6x3x3's for my lone males. These sizes are (in my mind) barely acceptable for the size of my monitors, they all could be much bigger.

My adult peachies are all around 3' except for a small female, I do not have any really large males, but I've seen a picture of a very large male, and if any of mine get that big, I'll need to build some bigger cages. I wouldn't really think of them as aboreal, but they will climb.

I like most of them alot, but most older w.c.s are to be avoided, along with the standard starved, dehydrated ones that are typically seen in the classifieds. But i would be lying if I said it was all roses, they have been a constant challenge and alot of heartache.

--Robert

Do you keep pairs together? My thought is 2 in one lg. cage is still taking up less space than each in seperate med. cages. Would a 8'x4'x4' be acceptable or would you go a little bigger. Would they utilize a taller cage or is floor space more utilized.
I've also read that they are somewhat aquatic, how lg. of a water container would be needed. also what about platinum peach throats, is this a sub-species or just a importers con. Do you know of a reliable, trustable importer, does one even exist? I think I have my eye on these because of the challenge, it would be nice to contribute something to the hobby. If you think of anything else I should know, but haven't asked feel free to let me know. I appreciate it, Clint

I do not know of any monitor species thats aquatic, even partically so. Some are more associated with water then others.

They use water as a resource, but are not restricted to it.

For instance, a newt is aquatic with it has gills, but not when the gills disappear.

I think understanding that will surely be of benefit when keeping monitors. Good luck FR

I guess I worded it unjustly, I guess its how one interprets semi aquatic(relating to water). I surely didn't mean salamander like. It's my understanding some monitors live in close proximity to water ways and some do not. Peach throats being some that may, as is my understanding. Clint

That is bigger than any of my cages, so yes I would think it would be OK. I've got two pairs together and three single males.

I see huge variations in peachthroats that is probably locality based. I do not know what the current species/sub-species status is on any of them. I do believe platinums are batantas, but am not sure. Danny Gorman (D&J) is someone to talk to about getting some.

I do give them large enough water containers that they can soak (some extra insurance for dehydration), but this means I have to be more diligent about changing the water. I don't give them large pools, as I find it tough enough to keep them without making things overly complicated. I believe riparian is the word you were looking for, not aquatic.

The advice I should've listened to from the beginning, if you want to breed them, get them as small as possible and raise them together, and hope for a pair. Be aware that it is a bit tougher to keep two or three together than to keep them singly. I suggest you wait and take it slowly, it is very easy to get overburdened with caring for a bunch of monitors.

Good Luck,

--Robert

Thanx for the info Rob, and the concern about overburdening. I've
been interested in herps all my life, but starting with dinosaurs. I suspect alot of herpers are the same in that regard. I used to keep quite a few lizards years(10-12)ago. But I gave them up so I could focus on getting established in life. I'm 33 now, self employed, my son is 15, almost ready to step into life. I have thought about your warning, but I feel I'm more than ready for this. I have stayed away from the hobby till I could pursue it the way I always have wanted to. I own my home,
and space is not a concern. I plan on moving the wifes washer and dryer to the first floor. Which makes life easier for her, but frees up half of the basement for a nice hobby area. I always was interested in monitors as well, but due to the demands of their species all I ever keep was a sav. Besides that, ten years ago many of the monitors I'm interested in were not available, at least not in my part of the country. I only lay all this out so you don't get the wrong impression, I thought about this for months before deciding to get my ackies, without a moments regret since. Herping to me is a pleasure and keeps me challenged, my mind doesn't see it as work. I'm sure you see alot of people come through here with similar aspirations, who may or more than likly may not be ready for the commitment. My life is such that I feel up to the challenge. One question, Is there a season when young Peach throats are available???????? Hope you understand where I coming from now, Thanx for the replies and concern. Later,Clint

I'm sorry, I really wasn't questioning your commitment.

--Robert

aaaaaaa

yes it includes tail positioning, My female ackies will do this to each other, and my males will do this to each other.

They also do this to the females thankfully. haha

I have seen two males (not ackies, but monitors none-the-less) not only go into the proper position, but have penetration as well. It wasn't homosexuality but a dominance display.