Reptile & Amphibian Forums

(Please ignore photo if it posts, I can't get rid of it)

I have a trio of Solomon Island skinks. I've had false pregnancies in the past, but never any babies. Both females have been fat for some months now but I wasn't optimistic. This morning I went down and there is a baby in there. Not sure which female as they both still look about the same. So I have some questions for anyone who has bred Solomon Islands before. First, I have read that the mother cares for the baby for about a year, with it riding on her back. Should this baby be with the mother? It is on top of the screen in the front of the cage by itself right now. Is it safe in there? I know they care for them in the wild but in captivity are the babies ever hurt? The baby has a small hole in its scales on its belly. Is that from where it was attached to the egg sac? Any special food or anything I should be giving them or just the usual? Any other suggestions? I'll get some pictures later. Thanks!

Lucy

Another one! So both females had babies the same day, as far as I can tell. The second one still has some "umbilical cord" hanging on it, so it evidently is newer. They are both crawling around, although the first one still seems to just be hanging out at the top of the screen. So do they start eating soon or still have some of the yolk sac? I used to breed bearded dragons but since these are so different, I'm not sure what to expect.

Lucy
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Lucy
www.smalldragons.com

Please check out my original post. So far they are doing ok. But I have questions and would love to hear from someone who has done this before, with the babies.

How do I post a photo?
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Lucy
www.smalldragons.com

Hi Lucy, and huge congratulations!
My prehensile tails have just started breeding and I haven't had a baby yet, but I have heard that they need the maternal care for the first 6 months or so at least. At that point, the father may become aggressive towards that youngsters but may not as well. It's ok for them not to be with their parents all the time. The mom's are probably very tired and are resting up while the babies are out exploring their new world. Leave the babies untouched and see if the moms' aren't hanging around with them tomorrow. Rarely, female's will abandon the young and they will need to be removed, but let's not get into that until that is the case without doubt. Chop their salads extra fine for a while so the babies can learn to eat. It would be easier to just make a heap of shredded food rather than different servings. Also, make sure to get them on a varied diet early. Some people also advocate soaked, mashed Mazuri tortoise diet. It is fiber based, but contains a little added protein for good growth. And don't forget that calcium!

To post pics (and I would love to see them) use the directions under "image" at the tiny tools and toys link below the message window for typing in the forums.

Best of luck and congrats again!
Matt

Matt,

Thanks. They seem to all be getting along ok. The mothers are both much more aggressive toward me than they would normally be, so I have a pair of elk gloves and some tongs to put food in and out of their cage. I'll do some chopping, as you suggested. One baby ate some green peas from my hand yesterday. Hopefully,I'm putting a link below for one picture. I've also started an album at www.picturetrail.com/dancetoday.

Lucy

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Lucy
www.smalldragons.com

About a month ago one of my females had her baby. I found the baby/mother really didn't interact. As you have found of course the mother gets very aggressive, the baby didn't rely on mom at all from what I saw so after 2 weeks I removed the baby. I was worried in an agressive move the mom might mistakenly hurt it. She (I think) is in her own enclosure and doing fab.

Since this is going, the mother is still HUGE. Do you find the same with your females? It almost looks like she's still gravid. She acts and eats normal although this morning I did see her in her "birthing" position is such a thing exists. She is in her branch with legs spread...??? any ideas?