breeding Cresteds

krrc · 01-03-04, 12:03 AM

I've been looking at cresteds for a wile now and plan on getting a few, maybe 2.4 after a wile with a male and 2 females in each. I really like the way AnthonyC did his housing and plan to use it as it would be very practical for me. one question though, I read an article that said an anlisis if their gut contents in the wild showed them consumed primarly fruits. (over 90% if I remeber right) if this is true how nessisary are the crix to their diet is 2-3 times a week ok? more, less? also what size rubbermaids would you recommend for indivualy housed babys, juvi's? thanks.

krrc · 01-03-04, 03:14 PM

one more question what whould be a fair wholesale price? I already have a local reptile only shop that is intrested if I started breeding, she's having a hard time getting them. and I have been dealing with her for about 3 years now. thanks.

CDN-Cresties · 01-03-04, 03:28 PM

2-3 times a week should be alright, but I have found that the growth rate of babies is quicker when feeding crix all the time. For housing babies in a rubbermaid, I have no idea what size to use. I keep mine in those critter keeper plastic enclosures.

-Steve-

CDN-Cresties · 01-03-04, 03:30 PM

A fare wholesale price would depend on the amount of cresties involved in the transaction.

-Steve-

krrc · 01-03-04, 03:35 PM

oh, I never thought of critter keepers good idea. as far as as many invovled i would be as many as would be in a cluch, 3-7 at a time most likely. also whould whould you recomend getting them from in the U.S.?

CDN-Cresties · 01-03-04, 03:43 PM

One females clutch consists of 2 eggs. If you want to get some quality cresties check out http://www.dragonsdenherp.com
Im not sure how much 3-7 cresties will cost but the cresties they have are amazing!!!

-Steve-

krrc · 01-03-04, 03:45 PM

I just checked it out, very nice I really like the red ones but I would most likely get a few other mophs too. if I was to mix them the babies would be a mix of both color, pattens of the parents to some extent right?

anders_240sx · 01-03-04, 05:05 PM

In my opinion, cresteds are primarily fruit eaters. Although crickets do increase growth rates, they should not be part of the main diet. I feed my cresteds crix/mealies once a week at the most. Some may disagree, however since the original cresteds are still alive, there are no truly proven methods for what they should eat. Yes many people have bred them, and crickets are used constantly, however, no one knows what effects they can have in the long run. In the short run, there is nothing wrong with crickets. But I would rather stick to what they eat in the wild, or mimic it as accurately as possible. I tried an experiment on my 1.4 group, by putting a shallow dish (2 cms deep) of water with feeder guppies in it. And beside it a container of mealworms. I left them overnight, (there were 20 guppies and 20 mealies). The next day 12 guppies were gone, but only 5 mealworms. Theres something to think about because such species as killifish lay their eggs in the forests during the rainy season. Thats something to think about. Thanks for your time

CDN-Cresties · 01-03-04, 07:01 PM

anders 240sx, is it possible that your cresties ate more guppies than mealies because they move more? just a thought?

-Steve-

anders_240sx · 01-03-04, 07:22 PM

Of course ... but the point is that we all assume that any reptiles diet is crix ...when there are numerous other forms of food .. that was my point

CDN-Cresties · 01-03-04, 07:30 PM

Very true but it is proven that some feeders are healthier than others. For instance crix are healthier than mealies but silkworms are healtheir than crix.

-Steve-

krrc · 01-03-04, 07:59 PM

ya but silkworms are so hard to keep alive without mulbarry <-sp. leaves for them. I want to use them insted of crix but it doesent seem possable how about butterworms? arent they about as good as silkworms?

anders_240sx · 01-03-04, 09:55 PM

I have heard numerous studies arguing for against crix being better for lizards. Overall, it comes down to each species wanting specific needs. From the evidence I have seen, I would much rather feed mealworms than crix. I dont need the list of nutritional data to try to prove me wrong, cause many reptiles require higher fatty diets, while others do not (ie. cresteds).

CDN-Cresties · 01-04-04, 12:10 AM

From what I have read ie. Reptiles Mag. Mealies should not be a staple for any herp. Anyway this has gone a bit off topic. Im not to sure about butterworms being just as nutrious as silkworms. Maybe someone from the cham forum could help you out with this one.

-Steve-

anders_240sx · 01-04-04, 02:47 AM

I understand your side ... but keep in mind that reptiles mag relies heavily on supply companies... thus many of their oppinions are "scewed"... thats why I trust only herpers experiences and herpetologists. And of course non-profit organizations and the like. I personally feed everything that eats insects superworms.