Once upon a time there was a very stressed monitor keeper that had recently put his tristis into new cages. Shortly there after, ovualtion and copulation was observed. About 2 weeks went by and the keeper had pulled out what little was remaining of his hair thinking too much time had gone by and the eggs would would be retained too long. A burrow was then excavated by the female in a hidden place starting in the middle of a hollow log.....
<center><img src="http://www.varanus.net/niagarareptiles/temp/tristisnest01-2.jpg"></center>
She then spent the better part of 2 days doing who knows what out of sight in the burrow....
<center><img src="http://www.varanus.net/niagarareptiles/temp/tristisnest02-2.jpg"></center>
The male then began to stay out more on top of the log in which the burrow was dug. He kept watch for several hours until finally the female began to emerge periodically........
<center><img src="http://www.varanus.net/niagarareptiles/temp/tristisnest03-2.jpg"></center>
After she had completed her nest, the crazy keeper (being very impatient at this point) wasted no time in digging up the burrow only to find.....
<center><img src="http://www.varanus.net/niagarareptiles/temp/tristisnest04-2.jpg"></center>
After grabbing a Corona in celebration, the eggs were then carefully placed in an incubation container and moved to the incubator where, hopefully, they will stay for a few months
<center><img src="http://www.varanus.net/niagarareptiles/temp/tristismom01-2.jpg"></center>
The proud monther......doesn't look all that bad for just having lay 8 eggs!
<center><img src="http://www.varanus.net/niagarareptiles/temp/tristisdad01-2.jpg"></center>
....and Dad. What a stud.
Needless to say, I am absolutely thrilled that it went this well, and that I finally have some tristis eggs cookin'!
JonK
Hybrid Mode
