Power Males

A lot of people who are getting into the hobby try and figure out what is the best avenue to go..

Should I get a bunch of co-dom females and a cool male, or a cool female and wait to get a cool male for later?

Both of these things work out in the end, and the question really is, what is it that you have in your arsenal to begin with?

If you are just starting out, a few females and a cool male would be a great way to go.
If you are more patient, a great female to grow up is an excellent choice because when she is ready, you can get a great male and make super great babies out of that pairing.

For me, though? I have always been the type to keep the cool females, grow them up and get a super cool male.

So what do I mean by a super cool male?

Well, these photos on the blog are of the Sterling Mojave male that I hatched out this past season. I am very excited to have him here, as I have plenty of cool females to pair him with.

It did, however, take a long time to get there with the collection. Patience is not one of my strong suits, but I have managed to get a bevy of cool females every year to hold back and make work.

So what is best to do?

Again, its up to what you think is best for you....

I know what works for me, and what I intend to continue to do.

Can I find more amazing males to add to the collection? Absolutely!

Is that the plan? You bet your sweet ass it is.

Will you see photos of them eventually on the blog?

Yeah, you know you will... I can't keep anything from you guys... That's why I do the blog at all!

So think on it, share your experiences in the comment section, and have a great day, my friends.

What Next?

Sterling Mojave

Things are actually going a bit slow right now here in California, as we have been getting some amazingly HOT weather. This past week we have been averaging 75 degrees Fahrenheit, including Christmas Day.

So what does this mean for Heather's Herps?

It means that the males that are supposed to be breeding are getting a bit confused.

It's too hot for them to really get it on, and I have not been seeing as much action as I would normally around this time of year.

I am kinda disappointed, but what am I going to do? I can't control the weather (although that would be awesome if I could...)

So what next?

I am pairing up as much as I can, but giving more time for males with females than normal.  Will this effect the output of this upcoming season? I hope not, but there is a possibility.

The other possibility is a later season than usual, which means hatchings and eggs coming later in the year than usual. When is usual? This past year, we got eggs in the end of April. This year, I anticipate eggs in late May.

We shall see.

California usually does get later clutches than the other eastern states, as I have noticed.

And as for the upcoming pairings?

Yeah, I've changed my mind a few times already (again), but things are going somewhat smoothly.

I hope to get a few new things in the collection, but with everything going on, we will see! Fingers crossed for some awesome new things, and not so late of a season.

Here's to a good season, and the last Reptile Show of the season before the new babies hatch.

Pomona Reptile Show, here we come!

Have a great day, my friends!

Sterling Mojave clutch

Well, the Sterling Mojave clutch has shed out (mostly), and I felt the need to take some pictures. 

Here we have the only Cinnamons in the clutch, the two Sterling Mojaves and the Cinnamon Mojave.

I really like the Cinnamon Mojave, and when the Black Pastel Mojave sheds out (which is taking a while), I will do a comparison blog.

But until then, I will just share the individual photos. It will be really interesting to see the differences in color change and age for these guys, and I can't wait to put them in the rotation! So many possibilities...

Anyway, the first thing I noticed about the Sterling Mojaves and the Cinnamon Mojave was a difference in eye color.

Sterling Mojaves have silver eyes.. Not blue, but silver. The Mojave Cinnamon has brown eyes. It was very interesting to see! (And now you can see too!)

Honestly, I can't wait to see how these critters grow into their colors. Sterlings tend to be very light as babies, but develop some amazing yellows over a year. I anticipate this being the case for these guys as well.

I have been debating about keeping the male. I'm still not sure, so we shall see.

In the next few days, there should be some Lessers and Pastels and Pastel Lessers hatching out. The Caramel Clutch went mostly bad, with 1.1 Hets surviving...

The clutch hatching is slowing down, so this should be optimum time for questions, as well as planning for next season blogs.

ARGH! I'm not ready for that yet... But Fall is here, and its time to think about it.

Let me get thru a few more weeks first.

Have a great day, my friends!

How Pretty!!!

There was a huge response from last Friday's sexing blog, and I plan on elaborating on a few things when I get a chance tonight or tomorrow. 

But, without having a second pair of hands to take photos, hatchling photos will have to do. 

My Super Pastel Mojave to Pewter clutch hatched, and I am very pleased with the results!

I got 1.1 Sterling Mojaves, 1.1 Pastel Super Mojaves, 0.1 Pastel Mojave, and 0.1 Cinnamon Mojave.

I love it! I have never hatched out Sterling Mojaves, and I have to say, I really like them! I look forward to seeing them grow into their colors.

Even the Pastel Mojave is awesome! It looks almost Super, although I doubt it is... The Cinnamon Mojave is stunning as well. I don't need to keep her, but I kinda want to...

Of course the Black Pastel Mojave will be held back, so maybe this Cinnamon Mojave girl will have to be as well. It's an interesting comparison that will be photojournalised very soon.

Aren't the Sterling Mojaves fantastic? I can't get over how awesome they look. I can't WAIT to see them shed.

Yay for an awesome clutch and some kick-ass odds.

Here's to a few more by the end of the year.. Fingers crossed!

Have a great day, my friends!