Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bred 15 females to 5 different males and have produced only 3 clutches of eggs so far this season. 2 of the 3 clutches were 90% slugs.
I cooled them all down and began pairing them up in late Oct. I Witnessed several copulations per female, most of the females were bred with more than one male. I knew my co-dom males were young, still in the 600-900 range, so I used a back up male to make sure all females were bred with a viable male.
3 of the females were bred last year and produced nice sized clutches. (these are not the females that produced my 3 clutches this year)All 3 returned to feeding within a week and were back up to normal weight in a short period of time. I am still hopeful that I will be getting some eggs but not counting on it. The females are still not eating, haven't fed since Oct. Tried pairing males and females again and they just hang out no interest in each other at all. Earlier when they were breeding courting started as soon as the male was introduced, and copulation usually took place within an hour and lasted 1-2 days. None of the females have lost any weight and some look a little heavier. We have had a really wet & cold winter/Spring, I am wondering if this could have affected the breeding season. Anyone else having a slow season?

I wouldn't say it's been a rough season but the long, WET, cold winter has definitely made a difference. Last fall when I started cooling my breeders I had a tough time controlling the temps. I live off of Malibu canyon just a few minutes from the beach. The cold along with the rains made it difficult to control the temps. I had to add rigid insulation to the backs of a couple of racks as well as to the sides that were facing a window. I was losing too much heat. I think ovulation was influenced by the weather as well. It seems that the females did not ovulate until we were getting spring like weather, less rains, more consistent temps. I got my first clutch on 4/20, second on 4/24, and the third this morning. Still have a few to go. I started cycling all the females on 11/1. I observed breeding activity from the very beginning right up until a few weeks ago. That seems like a very LONG breeding season.
John Q

Yes, it has been a long season. It's been a little disappointing so far as well. I wasn't "counting on" a great season but I sure had my hopes up. With my male Spider and male Pastel breeding I was very excited. But the seasons not over yet so, I will keep my fingers crossed.

This years weather made my breeding season a-lot different than normal. I had proven breeders refuse to breed. I have gravid females that I did not plan on breeding until next season. This season was a-lot of work and required me to get a little more creative with my breeding efforts.
I ended up with a clutch from het pied to het pied and I never even saw them lying on the same side of the cage. I am happy with my season ,but it was more work than usual. Good luck and hopefully you will get a few surprise clutches.
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Tony Bocanegra