Merauke breeding season IS HERE! *GRAPHIC*

[donkeybuff]

Yeah, I wouldn't pair a female that wasn't at least two, but it's still possible earlier.

[Susann]

I agree; just because it's possible doesn't mean it should be done when you have other options.

[hurricanejen]

I had another lock from the same pair that's been breeding, but the others aren't being responsive. Based on the boy's behavior, I think I have at least one other female and one other male, and one I'm still unsure of. The male is definitely ready to go, it's just whether or not the females will let him. Giving him a long weekend to recoup and then I'll be cycling him through the other two (hopefully) female skinks. Guess we'll seeeee

[Dakota]

I have decided to not breed Xaunder this year.. haven't even tried since I separated them. I want to see how well I handle Virginia and her bubs before I jump into 2 females being gravid.

And it will give her some more time to mature as well.

[Scotts1au]

As my dad says try for successes cos the failures come all by themselves. In other words - no point putting all the eggs in one basket.

[donkeybuff]

As my dad says try for successes cos the failures come all by themselves. In other words - no point putting all the eggs in one basket.

Xaunder is only one year old though. I think it would be better to only breed Virginia.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

Reptiles tend to become suitable for breeding after reaching a certain size rather than age.
IMO it would be fine to breed Xaunder.
Whether or not your going to is up to you.

[Susann]

Yeah, but I've actually seen her size; granted, it was on video-cam, but still. I think waiting to concentrate your first effort on one grown female is a rather mature and responsible choice, especially since we are talking a first time breeder with no ability to provide veterinary care for one, let alone many, animals. My biggest fear would be a female who is unable to birth her young due to her small size, and not being in a position to do everything possible to save the mother and the young. An exam with x-rays is a couple hundred $$$ where I live, I can only imagine what an emergency surgery would run.

[Scotts1au]

That is fair enough. Sorry if I missed something but how do you know it's sex if only 1 year old?

I agree with the statements on size, not so much on age, but one normally related to the other when it comes to breeding readiness.

Also from a breeding perspective - I'm sure that others will have had the same experience is that the best breeding (most consistent) females tend to be those who can put on and hold weight. Runty females, or those with more androgynous features tend to be more intermittent and often not get a good response from males. I believe this has to do with emitting hormones (and those acting as pheromones) signaling readiness to mate.

There are some interesting articles floating around Uni of Tasmania who studied these aspects in Blotchies. I'm assuming that the brumation, weight, waking, readiness to mate relationship is a lot more easily defined in them, but I'm sure that some of the learnings hold true for other species to one degree or another. I have a feeling that you guys are starting to crack the code.

[stpkellogg]

[url=http:[URL=http://s1194.photobucket.com/user/stpkellogg/media/2AE9FF10-4EEF-4D41-BF05-CE88083E52BB-2252-000002CFD1F8F901_zps7b1b7142.jpg.html][/url]

[Dakota]

That is fair enough. Sorry if I missed something but how do you know it's sex if only 1 year old?

I know the sex because of how my males act towards her, London tried to mount her 2-3 times. She is a healthy weight, so she would show a hemipenal bulge, in which she does not. She has not dropped a plug either, and I noticed all my males have dropped them (and I have had Xaunder the longest). She is a female, there is no question about that.. and I'm not sure how that is even relevant to the debate, either.

Xaunder is only one year old though. I think it would be better to only breed Virginia.

Yeah, I have decided completely not to breed her this year. Not because of age, per sé, just want to make sure I don't get too far over my head.. I want my first season to be light, then start building up to 20+ females being gravid every year as the years go by.

And she is 22" right now.

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Quick question, when does ovulation usually occur after matings on average? I noticed when I was feeding Virginia she was HUGE.. belly bulging out tremendously. Any other sign of ovulation other than swelling?
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Beautiful pair Stephanie! You wouldn't want to sell them would you? I kid. I wish you luck with the babies, I hope you get some.

[Jeff]

That is fair enough. Sorry if I missed something but how do you know it's sex if only 1 year old?

I know the sex because of how my males act towards her, London tried to mount her 2-3 times. She is a healthy weight, so she would show a hemipenal bulge, in which she does not. She has not dropped a plug either, and I noticed all my males have dropped them (and I have had Xaunder the longest). She is a female, there is no question about that.. and I'm not sure how that is even relevant to the debate, either.

Just so you know, none of that guarantees that she is a female. She may very well be, but Just ask Ray about males mounting males. It's not that uncommon. I have never seen plugs from MOST of my proven males, and hemipenal bulges are definitely not obvious on all males. I am not arguing with you about the gender, just pointing out that you should not assume you know for sure yet. Wait until babies or slugs come out of her cloaca. That is when you will truly know unless you see plugs.

Also, Scott never implied that his question was relevant to the "debate". He was just curious about how you knew the sex. After reading your response, I would suggest that you really don't yet.

[Dakota]

After reading your response, I would suggest that you really don't yet.

There is no reason to judge my judgment on whether or not how I think she is a female. I am the only one that has seen her in person, and Susann has seen her on webcam. That's it. If the male was horny enough to mount a male, he would have mounted with the other confirmed males, not fight with them.

Her body characteristics are all obvious female characteristics, behavioral sexing all came out to be female, and she lived with one of my most aggressive male (to only other males) for 2-3 months with no fighting, and she lived with her brother until around May since birth. If she were male, she would have been swelled like the rest of the males down that area, but no. And I watch my skinks 24/7, I keep them outside where I can see them, but they can't see me. That is how I seen all my males drop plugs. Hmmmmm.. must be male, right?

[donkeybuff]

20+ females? I thought only Ray was capable of something like that! Good luck, you're going to need it!

[Dakota]

20+ females? I thought only Ray was capable of something like that! Good luck, you're going to need it!

Yep, that's my goal. All gigas, too.

[Jeff]

I am only judging the evidence you gave. None of it is enough to confirm a female. Eventually you will have enough experience to know that. Until then, feel free to believe whatever you want to. I was just trying to help you understand that the things you feel GUARANTEE that you have a female, do not. It’s just knowledge from someone with a little more experience than you. Take it or leave it.

[Dakota]

Nothing will "confirm" she is a female, until she gives birth, technically.

And yes, I do appreciate your expertise.. just can't let you know that.

[Jeff]

I appreciate that Dakota, but I don’t claim to be an expert. I have just learned some things over the years. I agree that it is virtually impossible to confirm a female until she gives birth, but I’m not busting your b@lls because of that. I’m just trying to tell you to remember that there is at least a small possibility that your presumed female is not female until she actually gives birth. I’m not saying your belief about her being female is wrong, just that you shouldn’t believe it 100% yet.

[Bluish]

I'm finding the Meraukes are pretty easy to sex at this time of year even as juveniles, but Jeff is right there is always the odd animal that will throw a curve ball. I once had 3 Mangrove Monitors that I was sure were 2.1. The 2 small males interacted for dominance and made weak attempts to mount the larger "female" who just ignored them by perching on a branch. This went on for a few weeks. Then I added a confirmed female (had laid eggs). All of a sudden my first "female" immediately started courting and mounting the new female and asserted himself as the dominant male in the group. It was a bit of a shock at the time.

[Richard.C]

Haha,monitors are one of the worst culprits for that,ive even had females try mating males ,and wrestling with males,there oddballs like that