We hatched out a small clutch of our Rio Conchos Deppei deppei this year (1.2). This was our first year for our new breeder male (same linneage). We are hoping for more eggs next season with his maturation and the possibilty of adding another subadult female to the ranks. Its a slow process to be sure. Anyway, the following pics show how non-descript gray and black juveniles can grow into red and orange fire-tailed smokers at about two years of age. One thing that is really important with rearing neonates...they really need a good temperature gradient ranging from about 72 degrees ambient to 85 degrees on the hot end. Without this kind of a gradient they regurg and "fail to thrive" (as KJ would say). Remember, they hail from elevations of 7000' above sea level.
Jim Sargent
Split Rock Retiles
