Mating rituals

From UroWiki

Contents 1 Sexing 2 Enclosure preparation 3 Pre-mating rituals 4 Mating behaviour 5 Post-mating behaviour

Sexing

Distinguishing between males and females varies with each species. In common with many other species, some males are brightly coloured in comparison to their female counterparts, who tend to be dull and plain. Other species can be identified by their femoral pores, as these are sometimes more predominant in males. Sometimes it can be almost impossible to tell, so breeders have come up with ways to try and see the males' hemipenes by lifting their tails over their backs.

Enclosure preparation

The first important step in the breeding process is the environment. The cage and its decor must be cleaned and disinfected to eliminate any trace of its previous inhabitant. This is due to an uro's natural territoriality; eliminating anything that would say 'this is mine' puts both uromastyx on even ground. You need to make sure that each uro can have its own territory as well: its own basking spot, warm and cool hides, and sometimes food dishes. Make sure that, if introducing couples to each other in a reused cage, the layout doesn't resemble what was used before. Doing this will eliminate most of their aggressiveness, although some is natural as they will need to establish their own spots, but is lessened if one doesn't feel like it needs to defend an already established territory.

Pre-mating rituals

My female keeps flipping on her back when I put her in the male's enclosure. Are they mating? Yes this is mating behavior, but it is not mating. The female flipping on her back is her way of saying "not tonight". If the male circles around on the females belly and lays on top of her, they are not mating. The male circling on the females back and or circling on the females belly is like a pre breeding activity. The male will also do "push ups" and case the females around the enclosures. Many times a white substance is left on the female's back during these pre-breeding activities and unsuccessful breeding.

Mating behaviour

Once the male is serious about breeding and the female is ready, the male will bite a fold of her skin around her neck and hang on to it. He may even pull the female around the enclosure by this fold of skin. Once the male has the female wore out or the female is ready to breed, He will position himself on her back. He will wiggle his tail by the side of the females tail until she gives in and raises her tail, he will then wrap his tail under hers all the while still biting and holding on by the skin around her neck. He will position his vent over hers and insert his hemi-penis; he will hold her in this mating position for 2-10 minutes.

Post-mating behaviour

If the breading is successful and the female becomes gravid, she will lay her eggs in 4-6 weeks; these will need to be moved to an incubator. Uromastyx mating can be violent and is not for faint of heart. Watch for open wounds as these are an instant entry path for infectious agents, including parasites. Depending on the type, they can be dangerous for gravid females, and the treatments for some parasites are potentially harmful to developing embryos so care must be taken. Additionally, the uromastyx should be separated after this, as the female may become aggressive as she tries to protect her eggs and breeding spot.

See also

• Mating rituals
• Egg laying
• Egg incubation
• Mark Walsh incubation method
• Hatchling care