Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Up until now I have been housing my male separatly from all my females, and would only introduce a girl into his cage as necessary. He's now housed with Goldie, who is too old to produce any eggs (so far). Question is, Freckles has so far thrown many infertile eggs and I'd like to mate her again. Will it be a problem now that there is another female in the cage w/BJ? Goldie and Freckles used to live together, but this arrangement seems to stress them all less. Also, can I introduce the male into a single female cage? When breeding, does it matter whose "territory" the meeting takes place?
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1.0 Leopard gecko from JL
0.4 Normal/Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Goldie, Freckles, Pepper)
0.1 Nearly Paternless Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 TBD Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.0.1 Tang Nearly Paternless (Peaches)
0.0.2 Corn Snakes (One snow, One red albino)

When forming harems, is it best to put the two females into a new larger cage at the same time, put one in, and them settle in, or introduce them and then move them to a new cage?
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1.0 Leopard gecko from JL
0.4 Normal/Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Goldie, Freckles, Pepper)
0.1 Nearly Paternless Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 TBD Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.0.1 Tang Nearly Paternless (Peaches)
0.0.2 Corn Snakes (One snow, One red albino)

When introducing or reintroducing males and females, I usually move the male into the female's cage. The female is already comfortable with her surroundings and seems to be less stressed by the introduction. However, if you will be combining all 3 leos into one cage, I would suggest that you take everyone out, move the stuff in the cage around a little bit, and then put them all back toegther. This seems to help remove and territory disputes, since the old leos think they are not in the same place (because everything is moved around). Also make sure you have enough hides (1 per leo 1 is my general rule). I would say that if you can keep them seperated it would be better since the female that is breeding has a lot of stress on her just from that, but it may not be horrible to keep them together. Just watch them very carefully nonstop for about 20 min when the get put together and checks weights often to make sure no one is being too dominant.
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Brian Skibinski
Milwaukee Reptiles

Thanks. Freckles will NOT be staying with the male (BJ) and Goldie (retired). Freckles lives full time with Beatrice (Female), who is also breeding this year, they get along well. Goldie used to be in there, but the other two would not lay unless I took Goldie out. So she is out for good. Can I put Freckles in with BJ and Goldie just for a mating or two, or should I take Goldie out first? My other ? was about 2 other females that are now housed seperately, and will be combined into a 20L. Should I setup the tank, and then add them both together? That seems like a lot if they have to get used to new surroundings and to each other all @ once?
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1.0 Leopard gecko from JL
0.4 Normal/Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Goldie, Freckles, Pepper)
0.1 Nearly Paternless Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 TBD Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.0.1 Tang Nearly Paternless (Peaches)
0.0.2 Corn Snakes (One snow, One red albino)

You should be able to add the male without taking out goldie, but you proabably want to remove her for a few days just to make sure she doesn't mate and have health issues.

When combining the females in the 20L, do it all at once. This will prevent one of the females from establishing dominance and intimidating the other to the point where it won't eat.
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Brian Skibinski
Milwaukee Reptiles

Hey Lisa, there will always be a dominate female in a harem setup. Keep a watchful eye on them and if anyone gets to aggressive seperate them. It would be best to put them all in a new tank at the same time. This should keep aggresion to a minimum. If I remember correctly you can put BJ in any cage and he will do his duty. Again though keep an eye on everything. Hope all is going well, drop me an email. Here is a pic of a hatchling that was produced by BJ's brother MAY...
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Sleep, what is that???????
Just my thoughts and opinions based on my experiences.
Jeremy Letkey
jletkey@yahoo.com