Aneides lugubris breeding success

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Look what I found today! I'll be tracking development from here on out!

To anyone with experience out there with this species, I'm considering moving out the male suggesting that he may eat the eggs. The pair is well fed and I've never witnessed any aggression. Obviously Plethodontids are known for eating their clutches of eggs so I'll try my best to not bother the female. Any advice will be well taken. Thanks

Enjoy the pic.

 

[cali2maine]

Congrats! Would love to see the babies when they hatch!

 

[taherman]

Awesome! Hope they are fertile for you. I've been getting 1-2 infertile clutches per year out of 2007 babies from Russ that are now monstrous. The males were much younger and I'm really hoping they finally get the job done this year.

Male aeneus never bother the eggs and I leave them together. I think Russ pulled male lugubris sometimes when the females were with eggs. Most egg eating from plethodontids that I have experienced was due to raids by cagemates in the big zoo exhibit (usually ruber), or females eating infertile clutches. Resist the urge to check on them for at least a month, as disturbances can cause problems.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Awesome! Hope they are fertile for you. I've been getting 1-2 infertile clutches per year out of 2007 babies from Russ that are now monstrous. The males were much younger and I'm really hoping they finally get the job done this year.

Male aeneus never bother the eggs and I leave them together. I think Russ pulled male lugubris sometimes when the females were with eggs. Most egg eating from plethodontids that I have experienced was due to raids by cagemates in the big zoo exhibit (usually ruber), or females eating infertile clutches. Resist the urge to check on them for at least a month, as disturbances can cause problems.

I was thinking the same thing about fertility. I'll know in a few more weeks I suppose. As far as disturbances I keep it minimal. One thing for sure. The female still eats even though she's guarding her eggs. But she never leaves the den.

 

[rust]

Yes, definitely remove the male if you can without disturbing the nest or female.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Yes, definitely remove the male if you can without disturbing the nest or female.

Easy enough. The male is easily lured by live food items.

 

[supergrappler]

Congratulations James! I wish you luck with this clutch. I'm lookin forward to see the progress.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

I actually think I see development. The eggs are still intact and guarded by mother. The set up is basic and simple. Substrate is coconut fiber and organic soil mix. I never kept the substrate very wet just damp and cool. The screen is covered with plastic wrap but not completely covering the whole lid just about 75%-80% of the lid was covered. The open areas are meant let air in and out of the enclosure.

Though I mentioned seeing development the pics here are old and don't show any development. I will post new pictures later on.

 

[otolith]

Looking good! Looking forward to seeing development pictures of the eggs.

 

[sde]

Looks great! Congrats!

And I have to say, I love that deer antler sitting in there -Seth

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Development. To those who are following, enjoy the pics.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

I see babies crawling around now. Started hatching this morning. I'm happy as ever.

 

[sde]

Looking good James!

How many eggs/hatchlings do you think there are total now? A dozen maybe?

 

[otolith]

Oh man, that's awesome Jaymes. Looks like the real work is about to begin feeding those tiny things. Looking forward to more pictures as they develop.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Oh man, that's awesome Jaymes. Looks like the real work is about to begin feeding those tiny things. Looking forward to more pictures as they develop.

Springtails, white worms and fruit flies are my options at the moment.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Made a short video. Please enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-ltU0X16vY&list=UUvBZWM1XV0zEn0M0LjN3Fng

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Made a short film of the babies having one of their 1st meals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv-cpP_hZe8&list=UUvBZWM1XV0zEn0M0LjN3Fng

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

This female is at it again. She's in position to attach her eggs to the top of this hide. I believe she laid eggs last year in the month of July also.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Here are the eggs. More eggs than last time, can't wait to see how many develop and hatch.

The pictures show the pair that bred for last year. On the left is the male (hence the head and jaw size) and the female is on the right.

 

[Neotenic_Jaymes]

Eggs were developing but they took a tumble. Now they're landed and mother is still acting as guardian.