Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My female green is around 3 to 3 1/2 yrs of age. she has been kept in cooler room tempts this winter around 82 daytime and 72 nighttime for about 4-5 months, now that the temp is warming up outside and inside will this cause her to ovulate? if so that would mean she would be sexually mature? If she wasnt sexually mature she wouldnt. If next yr she is sexually mature and is cycled the same way with the cooler winter tempts will she ovulate then? i do not plan on getting a male for couple more yrs.
- rick

Rick,
When your female becomes sexually mature and is then cycled through the proper environmental conditions, she will develop egg follicles in her ovaries. However, it appears that the reproductive process of most boids operates under induced ovulation, which implies that actual ovulation will not occur unless it is initiated by male courtship and/or copulation. If environmental conditions were sufficient to cause follicle development, but no male was present, ovulation will typically not occur and the follicles will eventually breakdown and be absorbed by the female. If ovulation is initiated, and for some reason the released ova are not fertilized, the female will expel unfertilized ova or eggs, sometimes referred to as “slugs”. Since it is rare for female boids to drop unfertilized ova without ever having been in the presence of a male, it appears that there is very strong evidence for induced ovulation.
Going by the size and age of your female, I would say that she is at least a year away from being sexually mature and being able to produce follicles if exposed to the appropriate environmental conditions. Under these conditions, you may see some swelling as the follicles mature, but with no male present they will simply be absorbed. This is just how I understand it. I welcome any other comments that could further clarify or correct my thoughts on it. Thanks,

Kelly

Thanks Kelly,
You answered my question, as the female wont show ovulation if she has not been with a male, or having it been induced by a male. I am not expecting anything with my conda as she is still to young but its always good to learn a little more about these animals.
Rick