Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of my tamataves has gotten off her food and is about ready to lay, the other was just bred. I have a few questions...
what kind of weight gain should I see in the females after they are bred? What is everyones prefered laying and incubating material?
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From Sunny Florida
Jovana's kids listed below
1.0 Veileds
1.1 Ambanja Panther
1.1 Tamatave Panther

Jovana-

Weight will vary but a 30% or so gain is common. The preferred laying medium is a soil/sand mix called Supersoil (only available on the west coast under that name). The preferred incubation medium is vermiculite, add water slowly and mix till all is wet, and you can not squeeze any water out of it. See the ever so popular egg laying article on the E-Zine for more details. Wish you the best with them both. Hope this helps!
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John W. Lucas
www.CHAMELEONPARADISE.com
www.CALIFORNIASILKWORMS.com

Chameleons Online E-Zine Author

Jovana,
Like John said, the weight gain is somewhere around 30% between the breeding and laying, kinda depending on her egg status when she breeds (they may already be developing a bit). They'll probably drop down below their normal weight once they lay, but will gain it back in a few weeks time. I also use Supersoil for the egg laying medium.... I tried a few things and basic clean potting soil worked best. I also have tried incubating in perlite and vermiculite, and it seems like the vermiculite holds it's consistency better than perlite does. Don't be afraid to experiment though, there's always something to learn. Good luck with her laying!
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
www.BLUEBEASTREPTILE.com

Thank you both. I'm on the far east coast so I have not seen supersoil, how can I make supersoil 50/50 sand/potting soil? does it have another name? right now I have my laying tub set up with just sand will this be ok or should I run out and try to make or find supersoil?
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From Sunny Florida
Jovana's kids listed below
1.0 Veileds
1.1 Ambanja Panther
1.1 Tamatave Panther