Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First let me start of with the players.
One 8 y/o proven male
One 7 y/o unproven fem.

Second is the record of events-

Jan. 17-20 witnessed copulation (possible copulation in weeks prior)
Feb 16-ovulation
March 8- realized hormonal blue pigmentation
Mar. 16 "pre-lay shed"
Mar 17- nest box introduced
Mar 21- found fem sitting in nest box
Mar 23-present- Fem extremely restless.

Refusing food x 4 attempts between feb 1 and Mar 24
I only have one concern-
She is super skinny! No way there could be eggs in there, can they? Anyone ever have this happen? could it mean she has a bunch of tiny slugs in her? This is her first breeding attempt and she was fattened well before introduction. The only thing i can think of maybe she had a really lousy ovulation and has one or 2 eggs in her. Is that possible?
Let me know what u think?

I have an update-
March 30- 11 unfertile eggs laid.

ARGH!!!

So who do I "blame"

male failed to fertilize eggs properly due to low sperm count?
Female had bad ovulatiion because of first breeding attempt?
I feel my husbandry was accurate and carefully moderated during breeding cycle.

Needless to say i am extremely bummed after much hard work and careful planning/preparation with no positive results to boast about. All I have now is one long year to wait and do it all over again.

I can understand you frustration I paired animals got slugs, eggs and so on for four years before I hatched my first clutch.
In hind site 90% of the loses I suffered where my fault
I can tell you though when you do get baby chondros crawling out of eggs it will all be worth every last Grey hair you pull!
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Greg Stephens
Arboreal Specialties
gstephens1@zoominternet.net