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Posted by Bloodbat on May 02, 2003 at 15:57:22:
In Reply to: Salvator breeding posted by Todd F on May 02, 2003 at 01:03:25:
I have used several substrates that have held promise. The first viable and successfully hatched eggs (which were sold to Pro Exotics and another store about a year ago)was a mix of store bought topsoil and cypress mulch. This was the same mixture (and in fact the exact same actual dirt and mulch) as I used for my nile monitor clutch. I know the cypress and dirt mixture holds tunnels as my nile dug tunnels in it to lay her eggs. The salvator, on the other hand, dug a pit. I spoke with several others who have seen salvator breedings and most of them have also seen pits rather than tunnels.
The second clutch, which I believe was viable, was laid in cypress mulch. Not only that, but it was not very deep - maybe 4 inches. She piled all the mulch in the corner and laid her eggs. This clutch was unexpected and occurred while the animals were in my mom's care. Due to poor instructions on my part, the eggs died. However, in looking at them after they were dead, I believe that if I had provided more accurate instructions to my mom that those eggs would have hatched. I'm speculating here, so take that for what it is worth.
The clutch I received a few months ago was laid in dirt with a bit of cypress mulch in it. Unfortunately, I live in the Midwest and topsoil is not an easy item to find when it is 8 million degrees below zero. Therefore, the dirt was only about a 12-18 inches deep and not as well mixed with cypress mulch as I might have liked. She clearly did not like these conditions and ended up laying a few of the eggs in a pit (which did not have the same characteristics as her other pit and seemed more a frustration to her than an accomplishment). The rest of them were laid wherever and then collected by me as she laid them (sometimes 5 minutes after laying them).
I have since resolved the depth problem for the dirt. She now has at least 24 inches and probably 30 inches of dirt. I did not add anymore cypress mulch and used almost all dirt. I did add a bit of peat moss but probably a negligible amount (I had about a quarter of a bag left and dumped it in the 6x3x3 box). I also added 50-100 pounds of sand, but again, I think this amount was negligible given the size of the dirt box.
So, basically mostly store bought topsoil with a bit of mulch. However, I had lots of extra sod pieces from my lawn and I attempted to plant these in the dirt box. The grass has since died (which sucks because it really was a nice idea), but I have noticed that even dead sod keeps the moisture levels up in the dirt. So, we shall see if she likes these conditions within a month. I did notice that she seemed to like laying on the sod - alive and dead - and lays on it whereas before she did not lay in the dirt at the exact same spots.
Time will tell.
If you go to the link below and click on the Mushu and Petrie (iguana) pictures you can see the dirt box in its current state. And yes, there is an iguana living with my water monitors (I can feel the flames coming).
:Since there are so few opportunities to question people who've actually successfully bred salvators, forgive me for my jumping at the chance. My big female has always dumped eggs faster than i can throw them in the trash, but with no male, its a tree falling in the woods. I'm curious what type(s) of substrate you've offered yours at the times they've produced viable eggs. I ask because so much is written/said about sandy bedding for most monitors in terms of it being able to support tunnels, hide spots and so on... but you don't hear much about anybody successfully getting water monitors to actually lay fertile eggs in soil types. Mine digs the bejesus out of her dirt, but i can't help but wonder if she's be happier still in three feet of a more gravelly/sandy type of thing, such as the riverbed stuff some people talk about or the decomposed granite that others suggest.. and by "happier" i mean, able to someday be more inclined to lay fertile eggs.
:I know, i know, this completely dodges the issue of successful mating, finding a male, keeping them from ripping each other to bits, etc. Just figuring i may as well ask the question while i can.
:Congratulations again on your efforts, and i hope the next batch turns out even better than your last. Of course, if it does, there'll be even more nosy questions from dreamers like me...
