Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Any opinions on the reproductive life of breeder female corns? I have some 5 year olds that are going strong, but just wondering at what age will production start to taper off (I know this will vary from one female to the next). Just trying to think when I need to start holding back some future breeders. Thanks, Dave

at around 10 years old, some younger, some older. I have bred many 12 year olds, but their clutches are usually smaller than when younger. I think 14 is the oldest I have had successfully produce, but others have had older females lay good eggs.

I have a 13 year old and her record is as follows:

Age 3 - 9 eggs (no second clutch)
Age 4 - 25 eggs (16 first clutch, 9 second clutch)
Age 5 - 31 eggs (20 first clutch, 11 second clutch)
Age 6 - 33 eggs (22 first clutch, 11 second clutch)
Age 7 - 37 eggs (26 first clutch, 11 second clutch)
Age 8 - 32 eggs (19 first clutch, 13 second clutch)
Age 9 - 44 eggs (24 first clutch, 20 second clutch)
Age 10 - 39 eggs (26 first clutch, 13 second clutch)
Age 11 - 36 eggs (21 first clutch, 15 second clutch)
Age 12 - 37 eggs (24 first clutch, 13 second clutch)

Most of the first clutches have been fertile all through her life. However, over the last three years the proportion of slugs in the second clutches has gradually increased.

To my mind, she was at her peak between 7-10 years.