Central Netted Dragon Info
Hi guys,
I suggest checking out my website
www.centralnetteddragon.com
One thing I must emphasize is the importance of UVB - I cannot stress that enough! The quality of light provided is also important to get the most natural behaviors and health out of your dragon. That means the widest spectrum possible - I recommend combining a UVB light source (such as a MegaRay or Reptisun 10.0) and a halogen.
Look out for my MegaRay Mercury Vapour lamp review in the upcoming issue of Reptiles Magazine - an amazing product with proven results!
I cannot tell you how many Netteds I've had to care for suffering Metabolic Bone Disease because no UVB was provided. Give your dragon all the calcium you want but it won't absorb it without Vitamin D3 which is synthesized in the skin from exposure to UVB. Without Vit D3 the bloodstream will leach calcium out of the bones (even of previous healthy dragons) to fulfill it's other calcium needs.
Breeding advice as follows -
• Incubator should be set up consistently at 30˚C + 100% humidity (make sure it's set up well before eggs arrive and check that temps don't fluctuate) Don't let temp go below 26˚ or above 32˚ but try to avoid fluctuations by using a thermostat.
• Slightly damp vermiculite mix in small container, press in dents with finger for eggs to sit in
• Place vermiculite container within enclosure (water should be kept in incubator to keep humidity at 100% throughout incubation)
• Collect eggs asap after deposition without turning (females lay 2-6 eggs per clutch)
• Fertile eggs will have a lightly coloured germal disc at the top for a while after deposition - usually yellow, orange or pink
• Incubation time usually 8-11 weeks
I have had a 100% hatch rate of fertile eggs with this technique using a Hovabator which has small holes in the lid for constant gas exchange without reducing humidity, otherwise just lift the lid every now and then. Prior to the Hovabator I used a styrene cooler box with clear acrylic lid cut to size also with a 100% hatch rate of fertile eggs.