Reptile & Amphibian Forums

With some of us guys now feeling that Gilas and Beadeds may lay too soon or hold onto eggs too long if the nesting situation isn't exactaly right, have any of you come to conclusions just what the ideal humidity / temp is that they are seeking for laying ? I mean actual readings, not just ' alittle drier' or 'alittle damper' .

I see larger and more complex nesting boxes being used now and this is what I've gone to in recent years but it still isn't bullet-proof as far as my success goes. I still can't put my finger on exactly what it is they seek.

As I did last last year, this summer I provided a 4' horse trough with various temps and humidity levels in 18" deep soil/sand mixture for a nesting box, but still had a Gila dig her burrow and lay the entire clutch in the hottest, driest corner ... though she had many other 'sane' choices in this 4'x 2'x 2' divided container where she could have laid them. This warm area was provided simply for basking up until the time she was ready - not thinking any Gila in her right mind would choose to dig and lay them at that end. These were too dented by the time I got to them to bring back which in my experiance can happen real quick with Gilas eggs. Only one time has a dented egg from a too dry situation came back for me as usually if I see a dent in a Gila egg, I can kiss it 'Good-bye'.

Last year this set up worked great - this year results were pitiful - though without exact 'readings' on things I guess I'm fooling myself thinking things were 'exactaly the same as last year'...

So , anyone think they now are sure what temp/humidity level these guys consider 'ideal conditions' to lay their eggs ? I'd appreciate any info ... thanks.

I am not sure if this helps as my experiance with nesting Gilas is "0" but I have nested alot of Varanids and am hoping for myself that this experiance works for Gilas.
I found that they (varanids)always chose 84 deg.but they would also choose the better substrate as well. It seemed the type of soil, sand that was offered was more important to them then the moisture levels involved. Once I accomplished the right substrate, they all burrowed and nested perfect. It seemed to me the oxygen exchange offered in the soil was one of there main factors next to temps as well as the ability of the soil to hold a burrow well.I used a redish brown sand from here in Florida and placed a log under the heat lamp, packed the soil down a little (pic)and they burrowed and nested all there eggs overnight the burrow she made was 28"deep,95% hatch rate on that clutch too..
For what its worth, yet to be Gila tested.
Robert

Thanks .... I did ackies years ago and was able to provide a nesting area inside their own cage which seemed just right as they'd dig their burrows and lay fertile eggs every time ; real similar to what you described with your monitors.

I didn't give much thought to the type of soil used with the Heledermas. In other than Robyns pics (Pro Exotics) nobody else I saw seemed to use a harder soil that formed definate, solid tunnels in these larger nesting set-ups ; from pics I saw it seemed most were using softer substrate soils that just allowed easy digging and covering of the eggs. The mix I'm using now isn't as hard as the clay-type stuff I saw in Robyn's pics but it does allow tunneling without collapsing.

What you say is just why I'm after finding that ideal humidity and temp 'chamber' they prefer. If that were known, another smaller, permanent 'egg chamber' with those exact conditions could be buried in the nesting area in hope that the aniumal would discover it during the digging and settle right in there to lay without having to guess where she'll finally settle. I'd think that some guys who seem to hit it right everytime must now have gotten exact readings of what these animals are seeking to lay their eggs.

As I did last year, definate choices of humidity and temps were provided through out that 4 foot nest area that were more suitable that where the one decided to lay ... in the bone dry, 90 degrees end of the trough ! Obviously something didn't seem right for her this time :>/

You make some real good points ... thanks alot for responding.