Over time, aggression between a once compatatible Phelsuma pair is not so
uncommon. It is a behavior that we Phelsuma breeders must always be on the
watch for as it is difficult to predict. Sometimes it is the male that
attacks the female, sometimes it is the female that attacks the male. There
are several reasons why I've seen this occur. An enclosure is too small. A
female has bred enough and does not want to breed again (she attacks male).
The female is not "in season" to breed. A male wants to breed more (he
attacks female). A female wants privacy to lay eggs (female attacks male).
The female is ready to breed and the male is unresponsive ("get outta here
so someone else can mate me"). Sometimes there is no apparent reason for
the attack. (Once instance I seen a female protecting her just-hatched
insitu babies from an "eager to eat them" male).
You mentioned warming temps and lengthening days as a trigger. Aggression
can be the result, but in my experience, aggression can trigger at any time
of the year.
Regardless of why it happens, separate before severe damage or fatal
injuries occur. I have a medium sized suitably furnished Kritter Keeper to
keep one of the two. How much time needs to lapse (after injuries heal)
before reintroducing the pair is very arbitrary. I tend to clean the
enclosure, rearrange the plants a bit, and replace the substrate before I
reintroduce the removed mate. They stand on more neutral ground so that the
one that remained doesn't think the return mate is invading its territory
(another reason for attacks). I closely monitor the pair as once aggression
occurs it is more likely to happen to that pair again.
Leann
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jesse Johnson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, June 08, 2002 11:00 PM
Subject: [Gecko] fighting day geckos
> For some reason recently, instead of breeding like usual, a few of my
> day gecko pairs are getting real aggressive. My male v-nigra, klemmeri,
> guimbeaui, and one of my ornata males are getting real aggressive with
> the females. It is definately fighting and not like usual mating
> behavior. It has started since it has warmed up and I lengthened the day
> hours. Could it be that they need more food, rain, or what can I do
> other than get tanks to seperate 4 pairs. I do need to separate the
> female guimbeaui because she has a few skin patches missing and is
> always hiding, so I'm getting worried about her. Last year and all
> winter they got along fine but now, I think they are fighting because
> the females are refusing to breed. What photoperiods do you experienced
> phelsuma keepers have during different seasons. What is the proper day
> cycle for the madagascan area. I was also wondering what people feel is
> the best vitamin mix on the american market? Any ideas?
>
> Thank you
>
>
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