Elizabeth,
<< Is the species entire common name Northern Velvet Ocellated Gecko
or is the "Ocellated" a different species?>>
The first name above is correct. Ocellated usually refers to Oedura
monilis.
<< Hibernate females as well as males?>>
Yes ma'am.
<< Are they particularly fussy about Nov/Dec? Is there flexibility here as
long
as one does it for 6-8 weeks? Is darkness a factor? Am new to the
particulars of hibernation. Do they eat during that time?>>
No not particular about when they hibernate, just a suggestion which
coincides with most people's winter season in the US. I have not noticed
darkness being a factor, but then again which angle are you coming from?
Keeping them nearly dark? Or keeping the lighting cycles going with a
reduction of light hours and light intensity. The reduced lighting cycle
seems to work for me. I have not really tried keeping them in darkness.
Some people will be surprised to hear that some geckos will have an
appetite while being kept at 60 F. But that is reality. Just use good
judgement. Obviously they will not possess normal appetites. Offer a few
insects and if they are not eaten, slack off a bit.
<< More about excessive vitamin/mineral supplementation, please. What do
you
recommend as proper v/m supp for the Northern Velvet Geckos? Proper diet
in
captivity? >>
BIG can of worms. Essentially, when animals reach adulthood slow down
supplementing, particularly when the animals when the females are not
ovulating/laying. When the females are laying supplement as you would with
any other gecko. I use a number of supplements, but believe that the
standard fare of Mineral I (indoor) and a light addition of a multi-vitamin
powder should suffice. The problem that I have seen in the past has
stemmed from excessive supplementing before the breeding season begins, and
to a lesser degree after the season ends. Excessive calcium may be the
culprit. Animals suffer unproductive years, high infertility, and
occasionally deformation of the spine. Some of my experiences and
viewpoints may be highly speculative, but I do think I am on to something.
All to often, just when we think we have something figured out, something
else enters the equation. I hate to say it, but just a gut feeling (with
some reason)....similar to my speculation regarding "seramis"....I see
results, but do not like to through definitive conclusions through a public
forum without a longer term of experience and statistics.
The animals will readily consume the standard fare of insects, and some
animals in my experience have thrived on nearly 100% domestic crickets (I
also vary the supplements, and what I feed my insects - during breeding
season, my insects receive a higher percentage of protein in their diets,
whereas outside of the breeding season the receive more fruits/vegetables).
Just consider the cricket an empty shell, and pump various nutrients/diets
into these live pasta shells.
<< Who has the new bloodlines brought into the US recently and the
particularly
interesting color phases? Am looking for a mate for my 15 month old male
who
descended from het. amel. parents.>>
I know of a few people with unrelated animals that have been verifiably
brought in from Europe. With a little luck, perhaps another person on the
list can lend you help in finding a mate for your animal.
Jon
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