male northern wanting to mate now?

[Jeff]

96 is probably fine for the basking spot, but I like to keep mine at 100. Some of my gravid females will bask a LOT when the surface of the basking rock is 100, which means their back (closer to the heat) is even warmer than that.

I have heard from a few different large scale breeders that they try to get a minimum of 3 copulations for each female. This is mostly because they are breeding MANY animals, and the time and effort involved in pairing multiple skinks prohibits more than that. Before last year, I got as many copulations from each female as I ccould. This typically ended up being 7-8 before the breeding window closed. Last year in an attempt to see if that many was necessary, I cut off all of them after 5 matings. I was actually surprised that my average litter size was almost 2 babies less than the previous years. This is not nearly enough evidence (six litters) to conclude that 5 copulations will result in less babies than 7 or 8 copulations, but it does make sense that it doesn't hurt to have more sperm swimming around in there.

On the diet, I mainly just add some extra calcium w/ D3 while they are gravid. My females eat pretty normally during breeding, but some stop eating completely for 3-4 weeks after they stop breeding.

[StaceyLeigh]

Awesome info. Jeff thanks! I am keeping a detailed journal of this experience and I will add all this info from You and Richard. I may go 1 or 2 more on the copulations if they are both willing, but litter size is not a huge concern for me. A smaller litter wouldn't be so bad since it is our first year doing this! I just want healthy babies and mama skink!

[StaceyLeigh]

Ok # 3 down! Thor is becoming a pro at this! Unfortunately he spilled a little today so I hope plenty still got where it needs to go, lol.
Got a weight on her today, 1137g , she is 23 1/2 " long. Lots of room for babies in there! Should I weigh her every 30 days or so?

[Richard.C]

Temps wise id just keep it as it is,its probably still cooler down cool end,warming up more to early closes window faster,food wise ,sometimes females will be slow eaters for a few weeks after mating ends then pick up,though some just eat right through,its hard to judge if you are feeding to much,some females ballon up,others dont keeping you guessing if they are gravid or not.

They lose alot of weight after having babies,even big fat ballooning females,so always good to try feeding them up,only benefits babies more with development and helps females with recuperating after having babies

[StaceyLeigh]

Ok we skipped yesterday, and tried again today. Unfortunately Calypso, our female was very uncooperative, tried to bite Thor a few times. So I put them back in their tanks, I didn't want to risk any injuries. I plan to try again tomorrow, but I am thinking she is done? I believe I have read info. on here that when the females start to really put up a fight they are done!
If that's the case we got 3 matings and hopefully something will come of that, we'll see? She is basking alot (more than usual).

[Richard.C]

One of my females last season had 7 babies from 2 matings,so if timing is right 3 is finr,u could try a couple more intros in case female was just having a bad dayl

[StaceyLeigh]

Thanks Richard, we got 1 more mating today, Yeah! This will be it. She got pretty scraped up today on the shoulder, and was really struggling to get away. I am going to hope 4 was enough to get us some babies. Now we just wait and see!

[Richard.C]

Now the long wait to see if bubs come,lol

It will seem like 8 months,looks promising though

[StaceyLeigh]

Thanks! I will keep you updated.