new to breeding

[steve-00]

so iv had leos for some time now but never bred them, and now i have a male and female so im ready.
what do i need to do what do i need to do?

 

[acpart]

My recommendation is to google "leopard gecko breeding". There are a lot of good caresheets out there. Read a few and then come back here and ask specific questions. You'll notice that all those caresheets are at least a page long. I don't think anyone wants to type a post that long.

ALiza

 

[steve-00]

well iv read them, and know what to do and was looking more for just suggestions and little things each of u have found out your selfs

 

[BioWorkZ]

Do you have all the equipment necessary for incubation? Such as a hovabator, a thermometer, incubation substrate such as perlite, vermiculite or hatchrite. How about a digital scale so you can measure how much water to add into your incubation medium?

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

Most importantly do you have cage or rack space for the hatchlings. As well as some sort of plan on how you will sell the ones you do not intend on keeping. All the care sheets will cover everything else you would need.

 

[ajveachster]

Prepare for everything well in advance. If you don't have it before you introduce the parents, get it immediately (surprises happen). I find it absolutely frustrating when I see all the posts about how people bred their animals, but didn't have this or that for the eggs or hatchlings. Also, prepare yourself for some disappointments along the way. More than likely you will not have a 100% success rate. Brace yourself for the losses. Jeez...I sound a bit morbid, but don't want you to become discouraged if not every egg hatches perfectly. Actually, I think it is great that you are doing your research ahead of time.

 

[steve-00]

should i only introduce the male and female when it come time to breed? iv read some ppl dont care some say only when it comes time? what are your options?
and for a lay box, i have a shed box in there at all time with moist moss, would that also be fine for laying?

 

[acpart]

I keep my males with the females in glass enclosures ideally from about Jan.-Oct, though I have so many babies that I don't know when I'll have tank space to separate them this year. As long as they are getting along and the male isn't hassling the female(s) too much, any arrangement is fine in my opinion. I prefer coco fiber because it's less messy, easier to dig in and doesn't mold, but people do use moss. I use my lay boxes as humid hides year round also.

Aliza

 

[steve-00]

so i guess i missed the breeding season and will have to wait a year =(

 

[acpart]

so i guess i missed the breeding season and will have to wait a year =(

It's October now, and in just 3 months at my house it will be time to put the geckos together. In 4 months, if all goes well, I should have eggs and in 6 months, hatchlings. You shouldn't have to wait a year. Spend the next few months getting your geckos as healthy as you can. Also reflect on whether you're prepared for all the issues surrounding breeding including housing and feeding the hatchlings, incubating properly, selling and/or keeping the babies, taking geckos to the vet if needed. If you're at an age where you may experience a significant life change like going away to school, getting married, having a baby, etc. this may not be a good time to be breeding geckos. You can also read an article I wrote called "guide to breeding leopard geckos on a small scale" which you can find here:
http://www.geckotime.com/breeding-leopard-geckos-on-a-small-scale/

Aliza