Can someone explain this to me better?

[sitting_duck]

So I don't really understand how leopard gecko's breed. The whole process.

Does the male and the female have to be together for the female to ovulate(sp?), or does the male just fertilize the females eggs.

I don't want a birds and a bees lecture just explain it a little better please:main_thumbsup:


and now I just read that your looking for the pinkish spots on her tummy, I thought it was the white ovals?

 

[LeapinLizards]

The pink spots on the females stomach are signs that she is ovulating. The white ovals are already formed eggs (or partially formed).

The male and female do not need to be together for her to ovulate. In my experience, a male being in even the same room is enough (I'm sure not always though). A few people will introduce male and female shortly, to encourage the female to ovulate, but it is not something that should be done by someone without experience.

As far as how long to leave the male and female together, it's all up to you. I know some that wait for visual copulation, then remove the male. Others will just put them together for a few days, up to a week. Some even longer. It's really up to you.

 

[Mel&Keith]

The male and female must mate to fertilize the eggs. The female will usually not accept the male's advances if she's not ovulating (that's when you can see pink spots in the belly). Females can retain sperm for weeks, sometimes months, after one successful mating. So females may only have to be bred once in order to lay fertile eggs for the entire season. Hope that clears things up a bit!

 

[sitting_duck]

So really its the females choice when to ovulate, and theres no reason of putting them together if she hasn't ovulated(if your trying to breed), right? Except to encourage her to ovulate...

 

[LeapinLizards]

There is no reason, and a lot of the time it will completely stress the male out, and cause him to not eat. Males are in "GO MODE" at all times, it's the female that allows him, or does not.

 

[sitting_duck]

Well, isn't the reason to put them together for the male to fertilize the eggs?

 

[LeapinLizards]

Well of course, it can't just happen without putting them together! I'm talking about when a male and female are LEFT together, and the female is no longer allowing him to "do his business"...that is when the male can really stress out.

 

[sitting_duck]

oh ok.

So If I see that the female is ovulating, then let them stay the night with eachother, then seperate them again. Then provide a laying box, right?