jajeanpierre
Chameleon Enthusiast
A couple of days ago, my newly imported gracilior laid her second clutch of eggs. If they are fertile, it is from retained sperm from a breeding in the wild.
She was imported the first week of February. I bought her a couple of days later and she laid 14 eggs March 15th with 12 still looking good to my novice eye. She laid her second clutch 11 weeks later June 2nd.
For genetic diversity, I wish to get as many eggs as possible that I am sure are from the retained sperm of an unknown male (or males) who are likely still to be in the wild. I want to be very sure of the paternity--my male or an unknown male from the wild--of the resulting babies I might get.
How many clutches of fertile eggs am I likely to get? Is it possible for her to lay one more clutch from retained sperm?
If I want to introduce her to my male how soon after laying should I do it? As long as the eggs I have produce viable babies, I am happy to give her a break and if she never lays again, sobeit.
I get the feeling that this female has laid a lot of eggs in her life and/or is very old. She came to me in great condition and has continued to gain weight.
When I bought her she weighed 50g five and a half weeks before laying 14 eggs, 67g a couple of days before laying, and 57g three days after laying her first clutch.
For this clutch, she weighed 77g a few days before laying and 66g the day after.
Also, about half the 16 eggs she laid a couple of days ago were misshapen--flattened on one or more sides by the other eggs, I believe when she tamped the substrate down after laying. She packed it down very firmly. (I've written a previous thread on the misshapen eggs.)
I would really appreciate experienced breeders' thoughts on the number of clutches I might get from her with retained sperm. Thanks.
She was imported the first week of February. I bought her a couple of days later and she laid 14 eggs March 15th with 12 still looking good to my novice eye. She laid her second clutch 11 weeks later June 2nd.
For genetic diversity, I wish to get as many eggs as possible that I am sure are from the retained sperm of an unknown male (or males) who are likely still to be in the wild. I want to be very sure of the paternity--my male or an unknown male from the wild--of the resulting babies I might get.
How many clutches of fertile eggs am I likely to get? Is it possible for her to lay one more clutch from retained sperm?
If I want to introduce her to my male how soon after laying should I do it? As long as the eggs I have produce viable babies, I am happy to give her a break and if she never lays again, sobeit.
I get the feeling that this female has laid a lot of eggs in her life and/or is very old. She came to me in great condition and has continued to gain weight.
When I bought her she weighed 50g five and a half weeks before laying 14 eggs, 67g a couple of days before laying, and 57g three days after laying her first clutch.
For this clutch, she weighed 77g a few days before laying and 66g the day after.
Also, about half the 16 eggs she laid a couple of days ago were misshapen--flattened on one or more sides by the other eggs, I believe when she tamped the substrate down after laying. She packed it down very firmly. (I've written a previous thread on the misshapen eggs.)
I would really appreciate experienced breeders' thoughts on the number of clutches I might get from her with retained sperm. Thanks.
