I was wondering if a 5'9 2.5 year old female that weighs 12-13lbs has enough size to safly breed?
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Does she have enough size to breed?
boastud
Sep 08, 2003 12:26 AM
Replies (2)
mdc
Sep 08, 2003 08:40 AM
It is not so much a matter of size as it is sexual maturity, which comes with age. Have females been bred at this size and this age before -- of course. Are you taking more of a risk with something happening to your female -- absolutely. Personally I feel that a female should be at least 3 to 3-1/2 years old before the first attempt to breed.
This is just my opinion, but should give you something to think about. Hope it helps.
Matt Crabe
markg
Sep 09, 2003 03:47 PM
A friend of mine first bred his boas after about 5 years of growth and aging. The female now produces easily and recovers quickly. She is not a fat boa either by any means.
One very successful breeder has said that a slow, steady growth rate for 4 years (or more) makes for a good healthy breeder that will continue to breed many years, as opposed to the poor fattened 2 year-old females that may put out a few litters but won't live to see age 6. This opinion is based on general observations of scores of breeding females. Although I don't know if anyone can 100% predict how any given boa will fare because there may be so many variables at work here, I think it would do your snake good to wait.
