Introducing

[KateBeer]

Heres a discussion that got going in our house this weekend. When you introduce your blue tongues for seasonal mating, whose vivarium do you use? 'His' or 'hers'? Or do you use 'neutral/fresh' territory?
This came up as I've read in the wild, that females tend to have a territory they hang out in, whilst males cross a few females' hangouts. If we are trying to keep things as 'natural' as possible then you would introduce the male into the female's resident digs rather than move the female into the male's viv.
Does anyone think this makes a difference? Stress levels perhaps? Or am I over thinking this?

[Jeff]

You are probably over-thinking it, because it probably wouldn't make much difference. I have always introduced females into the males enclosure though. I started doing it that way because that is how most breeders that I had talked to prior to that had said to do it. It has to do with the male's scent being strong enough to trigger the female into the mood.

[Katrina]

I've talked to people who have done it both ways. I introduce mine in a neutral area, because my enclosures have too much stuff in them, it would take too long to remove / rearrange everything. It wasn't working introducing them into enclosures and we have this carpeted area in the house where we will be removing the carpet once we get to renovating that part, so I've just used it so far. For next spring the plan is to have a full sized, empty enclosure with carpet to be used for pairings and then later on babies. We will see if I can leave it empty long enough for this plan to work!

Interesting discussion. It seems like it didn't make a difference for two of my males, but I would have liked to try the Northerns in the male's enclosure to see if it made any difference in getting her in the mood or with his confidence.

[Richard.C]

i put females into the males cage,or with some they all stay where they are as they live in prs or groups

alot of folk think putting females into the males cage helps to as the male wont go checking out the new cage and scents,he will be more interested in the females,and like jeff said the males scent may help the females to,but end of the day i dont think it really matters,if a pr want to,they will do it anywhere,even on carpet

[Jeff]

if a pr want to,they will do it anywhere,even on carpet

Oh God no!!!!! Not on the carpet!!!!

[Richard.C]

they musnt understand carpet burn,lol