2011 - What's breeding for you so far?

[Alex]

Hi all,

Well another fantastic day here in Dorset - So mild infact at the moment that last night I fell asleep to the sounds of Greek Bufo viridis, various Pelophylax, and Hyla arborea - Certainly a strong Mediterranean feeling in the garden at the moment. So, as the title says, what have you all got breeding so far? At the moment I have eggs being laid by Lissotriton boscai, and maybe a few other caudata. Bit early for any of my anurans though that should start within the next 4 weeks or so. My Emys orbicularis have also been mating so will make an effort to hatch the eggs this year. Not alot else to report on, but looks like it's going to be a good season.

Cheers
Al

[monkeyboy]

Hi Alex,

I've got off to a suprisingly early start as well with B. variagata spawning at start of month in temp tank (while i remodel outdoor set up). I'm now enjoying a tank full of rapidly growing tadpoles!

Are your viridis in a greenhouse? I'm working up courage to move my pair to a large cold frame in hope natural daylength will get them in mood (currently inside and unimpressed by all changes to light/ land:water ratio/ taped calls!). It feels like its been constant sun since late Feb here in Devon, but some rather cold nights have put me off making move.

Steve

[monkeyboy]

Well the hot spring continues to work its magic, just removed a clutch of wall lizard eggs from their (temp) enclosure. Anyone have any views on incubation temps? High and short or Cool and long? I've read longer/ cooler development makes for stronger babies but is this balanced against earlier hatchings having a longer "summer" before rigours of hibernation?

S

[barb1]

Great news on the eggs. I think probably 27/28c is a good temp. I have got my Lepida eggs at that temp. due to hatch early July.

Perhaps more members will contribute their news now.

[viridis]

A mixed bag for me,eleven infertile bilineata but three fertile P.m.nigriventis ;D.Hopefully I will get some more bilineata but now the weather has turned back to typically British summer weather.

[fluxlizard]

So far my red eye treefrogs have produced eggs, my tokay geckos (which I keep outdoors all summer), and I'm waiting on panther and veiled eggs from the end of last year to hatch.

[chrisd]

Nothing for me too !! I've had many false alarms but no eggs to show for it. Oh well... there's always next year !!

[barb1]

I thought it would be a bumper year of hatchlings. My Bilineata looked very plump and now is thin, so had a good look round, couldn't find anything. do you find females lay eggs without a male, as the one I put in is only last years?

[monkeyboy]

Thats interesting, I've got a female P. muralis that seems to "swell up" like she's gravid, but only produced young in year she was with a male. Perhaps there is an element of "pre-mating production" to shorten the breeding cycle, esp in multi clutch species?

On a more productive note I've had 8 L.a.argus from 8 eggs. When I've sussed out the colour forms I'll be offering some for sale, just hoping they will start putting on weight so I'll be brave enough to let ones I keep hibernate naturally!