Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What are the sizes and ages a female indigo should be at for breeding? What about the male? Not so much the bare minimum size/age but erring on the side of caution.

I recommend that the female be 6.5 feet in length and 4 years of age. This is not a minimum calculation. The larger the female is and the older she is(Within reason) the less problems you will have with her. And she should NOT be obese. Ditto the male

Male........6ft 4 years also.

Take your time,

Fredrick Albury

I'm in the same camp as Fred. I will not pair a female that is not at least six feet in length and has a minimum stable weight of 3,000g. It normally takes four-five years for specimens to reach this size, but for the few that reach six feet within two years, I stick with the weight indicated and a four year age minimum, for females, as males are generally ready to go a bit earlier...

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

I have a 2005 that I think is a littermate to Lenore. He was well started by the breeder (Rob Carmichael) and has always eaten well, but not really been super pushed (I would have fed a bullsnake more total mass food during the same time period (of course, probably in larger, less frequent meals.) He almost looked a little fat and stubby after about a year and a half, so I backed off a bit a few months back at the recommendations of some on the forum. He looks fine, and I thought he was about 4.5 feet, but when I accurately measured him he is about 46 inches-quite a bit smaller than Lenore and a male to boot. Do you think he is destined to be smaller or is this normal growth variation that evens out over time. I'm not that concerned- I love the guy. But if he is iappropriate for breeding and it can be determined this early, I might want to start another male. What do you think. Thanks Frank-now I gotta quit stalling and get back to work!

My guy is a 2004 born in July. Sorry

So I wouldn't write him off as a future breeder just yet, as some Drys take a bit longer to reach their full potential.
If your guy is coming up on his second birthday and 46", I would simply give him an extra year or two to put on some length, as the youngest I have allowed males to breed is three years of age and I have only done so once, though the result was productive and I am aware of a few folks who have allowed two year old males to mate with productive results.
In my experience, I have had Drys gain girth before length, length before girth and others which have appeared to gain both at an equal rate, so coming up on two years of age still give your guy much time for growth...

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947