Day Gecko Breeding

[reptiles4life]

I just picked up some gold dust day geckos, and the female already was gravid and i was hearing that u could either leave the egg(s) in the tank or take them out in the incubator. so i was wondering what u guys think and if anyone has any tips the would be great.



Thanks,


Kody

[Kevin McRae]

I would leave them in the cage because day geckos aren't canibalistic so they would hurt the young...

[NiagaraReptiles]

Actually, all species of <i>Phelsuma</i> are cannibalistic with the exception of <i>Phelsuma standingi</i> (they will eat other <i>Phelsuma's</i>, but not their own offspring).

If the cage is big enough (well planted) and is VERY well sealed, you should be able to leave babies in with the parents. Baby <i>P. laticauda</i> are very tiny, however, and will often accept only fruit flies as a food item for the first several week of their life. I didn't have any luck getting them to eat pinhead crickets when I was working with them. Just something to think about ahead of time :)

Best of luck with the eggs!

JonK

[alan]

Even though I don't have any experience with gold dusts, I'll keep the offsprings in another tank. You never know what's gonna happen but you'll know nothing's gonna happen if you seperate them w/ the parents.

[Stockwell]

I used to remove the eggs, as humidity may be inadequate in the cage. I lost eggs to dessication when they were left in cages with screen tops, which are required to get UV into the tank.

I'd recommend setting them up in standard slightly moist deli containers for incubation using either vermiculite or perlite for a hatching media.
Below is a newly hatched clutch of Pm grandis, incubated in the same manner
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/511/1801grandishatchlings.jpg

[Kevin McRae]

Originally posted by NiagaraReptiles
Actually, all species of <i>Phelsuma</i> are cannibalistic with the exception of <i>Phelsuma standingi</i> (they will eat other <i>Phelsuma's</i>, but not their own offspring).
JonK

Looked what I just learned:)