There is a school of thought that embraces the belief that the males of this species require lower temperatures to produce large quantities of viable sperm. It has been my experience that the lowered temperatures do increase the number of viable eggs produced by males of this species. We have dropped this species down to 47 - 49 degrees for a period of 4 weeks in the middle of the brumation cycle with good success. If you decide to use these lower temperatures be sure and check on the animals health during that period more frequently and specifically watch for signs of upper respiratory problems.

After brumation and the animals are brought back up to optimum temperature of 78 - 82 degrees, feeding should resume for approx. three weeks and the pair should be placed together under supervision for short periods of time until copulation can be confirmed. An egg laying chamber partially filled with damp vermiculite or sphagnum moss is helpful. Eggs should be removed immediately after laying and placed in damp vermiculite for the incubation period of 58 - 69 days at temperatures of 80 - 83 degrees