Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

jim_radley · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 3:47 am Post subject: Ackies

Hi
I just need to know the gestation period for a Ackie?
She's been pregnant for around 2 months now, and is getting bigger but she isn't fat as the ribs can be felt alot easier now.
I'm used to breeding other reptiles, but nobody seems to know the answer to this question.
Thanks
Jim

Scott W · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:13 am Post subject:

Jim,
I was under the impression that 30 - 40 days is about average. This is only what I have heard as my entire monitor collection is still to mature.

I have had monitors, including the reds and yellows and glauerti mating for the last 2 months but I'm pretty sure they are just practicing / sizeing each other up.

Can you actually see or feel the eggs?

Scott W · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:17 pm Post subject:

lol.......well after saying that mine are too young, I come home today to find my SMALLEST group of yellow ackies has laid a clutch of eggs. The female is tiny, maybe only 5 - 6 " SVL and laid 4 eggs slightly larger than beardie eggs that have swollen to hatch.

jim_radley · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:42 pm Post subject:

I can't see or feel the eggs, but she seems swollen around the vent. She's 2 1/2 years old.

jim_radley · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 8:43 pm Post subject:

I've had her 6-7 weeks now

Scott W · Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 10:33 am Post subject:

Have you actually seen them mating? how long ago was it?

jim_radley · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 2:20 am Post subject:

I haven't personally seen them mate, although the guy who had them before me saw them mating on a couple of occasions.
Here are some low res pictures of her.

Female in Hand.

Her general pose after waking up.

Birds eye view of the possibly pregnant Ackie.

Very blurred, but it shows the bulge.

This is their vivarium (well the centre of it). Note the bar in the top left corner that's the bottom runner for a 15" door. It was custom made and has cork bark shelves and the rest of the back is covered in slate.[/img]

Scott W · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 9:05 am Post subject:

can't really tell, but I don't think it is gravid. Put a deep nesting box in there anyway just in case (they enjoy burrowing anyway).

jim_radley · Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 7:42 pm Post subject:

The guy I got them off and a local pet shop owner believe her to be gravid. I found out that the gestation period is just under 4 months, that means that she would have 1-2 months left before she lays them.

Scott W · Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:45 pm Post subject:

3 - 4 months sounds way too long??? My female is only 10 months old and laid eggs last week. She mated 21 apr, so that worked out to just 4 weeks gestation.