Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Jackie · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject: When two leachies meet....

I finally introduced my pair of leachies to each other yesterday. This is what happened:

Firstly, both have been kept on their own since hatchling/youngster size. Female is 5 year old this year, weighs 173 grams and has laid infertile clutches in the past. Male is 3 this year and weighs 146 grams.

14th February - I swapped them over, putting them in each others viv. This is so they could get used to one another's scent.

Yesterday (17th Feb)

17:10 I put the female back in her viv (the male was already in there). The male was on a thick branch towards the top of the viv. The female moved more or less straight away to the branch directly under the male.

17:25 The male started clucking (approximately 10 times).

17:26 The male began licking the air. He moved his head down towards the female and then stopped.

17:42 The female licked the air (numerous times).

17:42 The male moved his head again, this time he is very close to the female. She hasn't moved.

17:43 Male clucks and licks the top of the female's head. Then he licks her front leg. The female lifts her head. The male then touches her back with his front right foot. Female arches her head. The male moves over the female's cloaca and is clucking loudly. Male then tastes female's back legs. At this point they begin to move head to head.

17:45 Female starts to move up to the top branch. The male clucks and exposes his cloacal membrane.

17:46 Male clucks and holds onto the female's neck. Female is responding and shows no signs of aggression (huge relief to me!!!...lol). The male then pushed the female's tail up.

17:49 Female makes small bobbing movements and mating begins.

18:09 Male releases the female's neck.

18:10 Mating ends. The male climbs onto the female's back and begins to clean his hemipenes.

18:13 Male still on the back of the female. They both lick one another.

18:15 Male continues to clean himself and climbs off female.

18:16 Female launched at male (looked like a dry bite). Female moves on top of the male.

18:35 Male moves from underneath female away to the other side of the branch. No response from the female. He continues to clean himself.

18:40 Female moved to the other end of the branch. Ignored each other.

19:50 They started again.

23:16 Put male back into his viv. I decided to do this as I feel the viv isn't big enough to house the two permanently.

I have been very anxious about putting these two together and I was very pleased that there were no signs of aggression between the two. Fingers crossed in the next few weeks I should have some fertile eggs.
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Best wishes, Jackie

3:4 Eublepharis macularius
1:0 Gekko gecko
3:4:1 R. auriculatus
1:3 R. ciliatus
1:1 R. chahoua
1:1 R. leachianus henkeli

Thomas Shanta · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject:

That's brilliant news,when I put my gts together all hell broke lose and they tried killing each other,blood and everything Rolling Eyes

Geordiegirl · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject:

I'm really pleased it went well for you!
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zarozinia · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:11 pm Post subject:

Wow, thats fantastic, you couldnt have asked for more.
Great idea documenting it - you should keep a blog somewhere.
Fingers and toes crossed for you Jackie that they produce successfully, are you going to keep them together or seperately now?
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Cheers Angi
Proud to be a Geordie!
My Images - http://anginelson.deviantart.com/

jamie_s · Site Moderator Joined: 08 Jan 2006 Posts: 1963

awesome result jackie!!!!!!
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www.jamieswordsreptiles.com

Jase · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject:

Great news Jackie, glad it went smoothly.
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A lil bit of Madagascar

MJ · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:01 pm Post subject:

Very cool jackie and a superb write up of events!
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Paul

For all your Tropical plant and Naturalistic Vivarium needs please enjoy Urban Bromeliad

kroakykaren · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:32 pm Post subject:

Excellent news Jackie, love the event diary Very Happy

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reeve105a · Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 11:44 pm Post subject: Re: When two leachies meet....

Jackie · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject:

Thank you everyone. I thought it would be a good idea to write exactly what happens for others people to have something to refer too. I appreciate every animal is different but it gives you an idea of what to expect. My main reason for writing (and posting) it is because none of the books actually go into the actual courtship of the species. All I have read so far is what will happen if they don't get on - female attacking male, fighting, even death (you see why I was so anxious...lol)! I decided to separate them. Mainly because I feel the viv isn't big enough to house the pair permanently. I have read that leachies don't retain the sperm very well compared to other reptiles so I'll probably have to put him back in with her at some point.
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Best wishes, Jackie

3:4 Eublepharis macularius
1:0 Gekko gecko
3:4:1 R. auriculatus
1:3 R. ciliatus
1:1 R. chahoua
1:1 R. leachianus henkeli