Eventually, many reptile and amphibian hobbyists end up attempting to breed their snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, turtles, or tortoises. Many fail due to unpreparedness, but with some planning and the right mind-set, success is absolutely attainable.
Below are my current reptile and amphibian breeding projects, which I'll continue to update with notes and progress reports.
Varanus tristis tristis
Black-headed monitors are striking lizards hailing from the great continent of Australia. This species is also known as the Mournful monitor—in Latin, tristis is translated "morose."
In the wild, lizards comprise a high percentage of their natural diet, although in captivity they relish just about anything that moves. A smaller monitor, this species attains a total length of approximately 30 inches, with the majority of that being tail.
The Black-headed monitor is one of two subspecies of tristis, with the considerably smaller Freckled monitor (V. tristis orientalis) being the other.
I've got just two, so here's to hoping they're a pair. They hatched in late November, 2010.
Click here to go to the Black-headed monitor care sheet.
Varanus acanthurus acanthurus
Red Ridge-tailed monitors are one of the most sought-after monitors because their size is accommodating, and both their demeanor and energy are always so entertaining.
Reaching a total length of just 25 to 30 inches, this Australian member of the subgenera odatria is slightly larger than the Yellow Ridge-tailed monitor (V. acanthurus brachyurus).
Generally referred to as "Red Ackies," these monitor lizards are curious, extraordinarily active, and have seemingly insatiable appetites. It all works together to make this such an enjoyable monitor species to keep.
I started with four hatchlings, born in December 2010, so if I don't get at least one pair out of the group, I think it's a sign I should get out of reptiles.
Click here to go to the Red Ackie monitor care sheet.
Antaresia childreni
Named in honor of 19th century British scientist John G. Children, this mild-mannered python is indigenous to Northern Australia.
Children's pythons are the second smallest python in the world, reaching a modest maximum length of approximately three feet.
In the wild, Children's pythons are known to hang from cave ceilings where they catch small flying bats. In captivity, they feast upon mice and rats with gusto.
I've got a really young pair, hatched in December 2010. So, it's going to be at least two years before I can even think about getting eggs from these snakes.
Click here to go to the Children's python care sheet.
Future Reptile and Amphibian Breeding Projects
If I successfully breed the above reptiles, I plan on starting breeding projects with these species as well:
Mossy Frogs (Theloderma corticale) - Beautifully unique, knobby-skinned amphibians.
Anthill Python (Anteresia perthensis) - The smallest python in the world, hailing from Australia.
Pygmy Desert Monitor (Varanus eremius) - These are unheard of in the reptile hobby—the smallest monitor lizard in the world.
If I successfully breed the above reptiles, I plan on starting breeding projects with these species as well:
Mossy Frogs (Theloderma corticale) - Beautifully unique, knobby-skinned amphibians.
Anthill Python (Anteresia perthensis) - The smallest python in the world, hailing from Australia.
Pygmy Desert Monitor (Varanus eremius) - These are unheard of in the reptile hobby—the smallest monitor lizard in the world.