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Big enough?

johnavilla Nov 06, 2006 09:19 AM

I have a female that is 1140 grams as of yesterday. She was 980 grams a month ago. She usually stops eating the instant her belly goes pink and won't eat again until a week after she sheds. I think this is her third winter (she was slow to eat when I got her). On a feed schedule of one medium rat a week, could she make 14-1500 grams in time to breed her this season? Maybe I should wait until next season and try for aprox. 2000 grams?
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"It's insane this guys taint"

Replies (6)

DNREPTILES Nov 06, 2006 10:17 AM

Since she has the age you should be able to get her to at least 1400grams by Jan if she is feeding on med/large rats. Thats is if shes eats every 7 days. ive had females gain 500 grams in a couple months. I also tend to feed slightly smaller prey too. best of luch. You could also try putting her with a male now. if they lock up then she may realize she needs to put on more weight and feed like crazy. weigh her every month. after she reaches 1300-1400 grams start breeding her. best of luck.
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Dave

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johnavilla Nov 06, 2006 10:42 AM

couldn't putting her with a male now potentialy lead to problems though?
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"It's insane this guys taint"

toshamc Nov 06, 2006 11:01 AM

What is her build like? Is she a long skinny 1200 grams or is she a short fat 1200 grams? If she is more then say 40 plus inches I'd be inclined to wait until next year unless she really starts packing on the pounds and reaches 1500 in the next few months. But if she is a stocky 30 some inches then I'd say as long as she keeps feeding for a few more weeks you should be good on weight.

I've had females pack on a lot of weight (100 grams a week) once they are introduced - but then they seem to go off feed shortly there after - so whether she can do it or not is dependent on her. No two snakes react exactly alike.

I rambled - I'm sorry - but I hope it helps.
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Tosha

johnavilla Nov 06, 2006 12:25 PM

helpfull as usual! She is pretty short. Aproximatly 3 feet. What did you mean by once I introduce her? You mean to a male?
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"yeah, eagles have feathers hanging off of them too and I don't smoke --- out of them!" PS it was a dream catcher!

redemberreptiles Nov 06, 2006 01:35 PM

That is what she meant. Some females will begin to eat more once the start producing follicles. Some of mine have in the past. I have a female right now that i'm trying to get up to size. She was under weight when I got her in the begining of september. She is 53 inches long and weighed in at around 2000 grams. The guy who owned her before me had her for 10yrs and was feeding her 1 med rat a month. Since i've had her, she's been pounding down large and jumbo rats. She's gained close to 1000 grams in the couple months i've had her and i've only been feeding her one large or jumbo rat every 7-10 days. But good luck to you with your female.
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Phil Red Hernandez-

johnavilla Nov 07, 2006 09:24 AM

this forum is rad!
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"yeah, eagles have feathers hanging off of them too and I don't smoke --- out of them!" PS it was a dream catcher!

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