DIY Breeding container

[splashy07]

Here is a simple solution for those of you who do not wish to breed their skinks in their enclosure. I choose not to do this simply because of the risk of some substrate getting stuck to their 'private parts'. A large sterilite (or similar) container which can be found in your local department store, an old oven grate (I save everything!) and a few wire ties and you're good to go. Cut a hole for the lamp and some small ones to fasten the grate or whatever screening you choose to use, and there you have it. Off season it doubles as a spare holding cage for quarantines or something unexpected that comes along! I also have a spare glass cage for this purpose but they seem more comfortable in the other one.

[aaronhouts]

Thanks, Splash!
How long do you typically leave them in there together?
Do you watch them the whole time?
and WOOOAH-nice Easterns!

[splashy07]

Thank you! I leave them for about 15 minutes to half an hour, and yes, I watch them closely in case it gets violent (unreceptive female) and I have
to separate. If it doesn't happen right away, it probably won't, and I'll try again another day. I also try different times of the day when I am home. I am starting a bit earlier this year as my males have been out of brumation for a few weeks already. The female Eastern has a twin sister that I'm going to try also, hopefully he will breed them both, and if not I've got another male to try, but he's a little slow coming out this year. My Northerns will probably go in a week or two, showing a little interest. Last year they started on Valentines day!

[aaronhouts]

Thanks, Splashy!
Judging from our little Halmaheras, it looks looks like November is the season. Our girl is a 2015 and our boy is a 2017, but has been dropping sperm plugs and everting hemipenes like he’s trying to make a point so it looks like 2018/2019 will be our first breeding season.

[splashy07]

Oh, hope you can breed those beauties! They are spectacular, and Halys are my absolute favorite Gigas species. And oh, crap, I'm out of space...

[aaronhouts]

Thanks, Splashy!
We’re really hoping so, too.
The past two or three Novembers Scout slowed in eating a little bit and swelled in the abdominal area. We think this was her ovulating.
Lucky is still a baby, but he was dropping sperm plugs heavily about that time.
It looks like we have clues about when to introduce them. We just need to get some size on him.
We got him on October 4th and he weighed about 82 grams the next day. Less than four months later he’s over 300 grams. He’s growing quickly and, if we can keep this up, he should definitely be ready next fall.
Here are his weights from since we got him.
Scout weighs 840 so I think she more than ready.

[splashy07]

Oh that's great! I wish you all the best, I'm already imagining those adorable babies..seems like you've got them figured out!!