also formally present our experiences to
journals, magazines, and herpetological
societies so that critical pieces of
knowledge do not become buried within
the online strata of selfies and rants.
Thus I elected to share the following note
formally.
Following a six-week brumation and a
two-week warm-up, from January 29
through February 3, 2017, a seven-year-
old, captive-bred, female Northern
Blue-tongue Skink (Tiliqua scincoides
intermedia), being maintained individually
by a private American reptile breeder,
was paired daily for copulation with a
conspecific five-year-old, captive-bred
male. Both animals were healthy and in
optimal condition for breeding.
2.
During each pairing, the animals were
removed from their permanent
enclosures and placed together in a
temporary breeding enclosure.
Copulation was observed during five of
the six encounters, after which the
animals were returned to their individual
enclosures. Each permanent enclosure
was furnished with pure cypress mulch
substrate, plastic half-tubes for cover and
rocks for climbing, as well as an eight-
ounce water dish. The enclosures
measured 90 x 60 x 25cm.
Both animals were fed a diet of high-
quality, grain-free, wet dog food, mixed
vegetables, and occasionally a small
amount of fruits, together with calcium
and vitamin D3 supplements. The female
was also constantly provided with high-
quality dry cat food in a bowl. The temperatures in
the enclosures ranged from 40 o C in the basking
area to 24 o C on the cool side, with a night time drop
to 22 o C.
3.
The female weighed 750g on 3 February, 700g on
17 February, and then finally 886g on 30 May. On 6
June, 123 days from last copulation, parturition
began with two live births of healthy young. The
female paused parturition, contractions stopped and
she retired to cover at approximately 18:00.
Resuming again at 8:15 the following day, on 7
June the female gave birth to seven live, healthy
1.
A recent photo of the author with an adult female
named ‘Groot’ from the litter that is the subject of
this article.
2. Copulation in temporary breeding enclosure
3. Typical permanent enclosure.
4. Newborn.
All images courtesy Dr T. C. Houston.
4.