So I got a female about 6 mo ago for my male and i've been waiting to introduce the two until she was big and old enough. She is just below full adult size now and still smaller than he is. She's also about 1.3 years oldish. Is it safe to introduce the two of them yet? Not that I'll introduce them if its not totally safe, but what are the consequences of breeding an older/larger male with a younger/smaller female? Thanks!
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First introduction
KJN
Jul 31, 2007 04:17 PM
Replies (3)
BDlvr
Jul 31, 2007 07:56 PM
Post a pic. of him. Especially his head if you can. How much does he weigh and how much does she weigh. Don't expect eggs this year as it is late. She won't develop them just because he is there. She will develop them after brumation is she knows he is around most likely.
Are you just looking for eggs or are you wanting them to live together?
KJN
Aug 01, 2007 01:12 PM
Here's a pic of em. the male is the larger of the two. I dont have weights on them as of now. I'm not looking for eggs this year, but maybe in the future. For now I'm just looking to switch her out of her current cage to his large cage. Thanks for your help.
Kevin
BDlvr
Aug 01, 2007 04:55 PM
Size wise I think you're fine to put them together. Putting animals that are used to being alone is a risk so keep that in mind. You have to put her in his cage and watch them full time for at least an hour or two. He will probably circle, tilt and flatten his body and eventually bite the back of her head on the ridge or below on the loose skin and spines. He will flatten her to the substrate and she will flap her arms like he is killing her. This is normal don't stop him.
If he attackes her from behind that's OK. Attacks by either dragon from the front is not a good thing but she may race at him and just bump him with her nose that's OK. She'll do this especially if he ignores her. All this may be scary for you if you haven't seen it before. Keep in mind that if you decide she's had enough and remove her you are only teaching him how to defend his territory as it is not mating season. I would only remove her if she is in obvious distress, stops eating, or is bleeding on the back of her head from his displays.
You could wait another month or so. He will start to get sleepy as brumation season approaches and then introduce her.
