sorry for the delay : )
some answers for you:
-our original groups were 1.3 and 1.4's, 5 of them. that went down to three groups of 1.2 and 1.3's, and will probably end up at two groups of 1.2 and 1.3.
having too many groups means less time per group, and the goal is really to have two or three very solid groups, well socialized and breeding. as with our monitor breeding strategies, we start with a larger group of animals, find the male:female ratio that works, and then sell extra animals. we sold all of the surplus animals as juvies or young adults. (if i had to suggest a ratio to someone starting new groups, i would suggest 1.1 or 1.2)
-losses: from our original group of babies, we lost one animal as a baby, one as a young adult, and one adult female eggbound. 3 out of perhaps 28 babies (i don't remember the exact total we started with). the eggbound female was in a bit different setup, with much cooler ambient and soil temps, i believe that was a contributing factor, we are not running that setup anymore, the animals just didn't thrive like our other groups.
-groupings: again, like our monitor strategy, we start the breeding groups together as babies, so that they socialize and grow as a group. they are together year round, and there is no brumation or significant temperature drop. the producing female laid at a year and a half of age.
-aggression: early socialization and establishing groups helps to address aggression. we have had very little, but we have seen some when breaking apart one of the extra groups, and pulling a "keeper" female into an established group. somebody in the group was a little fiesty, but they got over it pretty quickly.
-illness: haven't seen any, aside from the dead female with eggs. no RI, no cuts or bruises, no infections, the groups have been very healthy. oh, and regarding the soil, the higher humidity, etc, certainly no tail rot, scale rot, or other "classic high humidity" Uro concerns.
-hatching: we had 13 babies total hatch out in our first clutch. that seems to be a good sized first clutch. we have not located the eggs (hatched in the 10 ft. circular trough, deep in the soil), but we have not looked for them either. i am anxious to see if the female(s) will go again this year. i would love to have 8 or 9 clutches over the next few years, and then EVENTUALLY dig up the cage and see about egg distribution, fertility, temps, location, repeated choices, etc. In the meantime, it will remain somewhat a mystery : )
-2nd hatch: nothing yet from a different female that went down 6 weeks or so after the first (in a different cage), and time is ticking. it was 200 days to hatch for the first clutch, which is incredibly long, and all that means is that i have NO IDEA what the next hatch time would be, it is complete speculation : )
the goal is definitely to repeat now, and develop a pattern and some predictability, to learn from our experience. the goal is NOT to get eggs and incubate artificially for a 60 day hatch, i KNOW that can be done : )
i am excited about the "breeding and hatching Uros in the cage" approach, i would love to do it with other lizards as well (we have done it with colubrids, same soil, buried eggs, successful, but slightly tardy, hatch dates).
thanks for the interest, sorry again i haven't posted frequently, it has been very busy, but i do read the forum every day : )
your feedback (and any other) on these issues is appreciated!
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robyn@proexotics.com
