Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What would be considered a good weight for breeding a southern hog?? Thanks!, Jeff

Jeff, I'm not sure about exact weights, but I plan to treat mine like my Mexicans, and breed the females at the same size as kennerlyi females from whom I've received good clutches. With that as a guideline, at least one of my females should be ready next Spring.
-----
Brad Chambers

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Thanks Brad!, How long are your breeder mexicans?? My little ones are just as voracious feeders as my southernsl.o.l.! Jeff

Well, Jeff-the mother of your two was no more than 18 inches, and she laid a clutch of 6 good eggs!
-----
Brad Chambers

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

You still haven't mentioned the weight, just the length...
-----
Jenea
Guardian Reptiles

"When your memories are bigger than your dreams, you're headed for the grave" Author unknown

Since I don't believe such a figure would be meaningful, in that the precise minimum for each animal would be different. Age is a factor, as well as weight and length. I've noticed that, with most colubrids, there comes a point that the animal starts to "fill out", rather than gaining mostly in length. I believe this corresponds to the attainment of true sexual maturity.

The gravid female that Alicia and I collected in the Trans-Pecos was obviously reproducing for the first time-probably a 2.5 year old. Since the last couple of years have been drought years in west Texas, I speculate that she was unable to put a lot of length on during that vital early growth period, yet still attained sexual maturity at a "normal" age. thus i would put her weight and length on the "small side", probably close to areasonable figure as a minimum. I'll measure and weigh her this week and post results.
-----
Brad Chambers

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

I have to agree with Brad. When all else fails I default to age. Some localities of hognose just do not reach the same length or weight as others. I have adult westerns that are 24 in. and others that are 36 in., Mexicans at 17 in. and others at 24 in. southerns at 17 in. and others at 23 in. all are females over 4 years and not over 8 years. All had the same feeding schedule. Yet there is quite a difference in size and weight.

Brad, That all makes sense.The main reason I asked is,I have a southern hog that isn't even a yearling quite yet but,she's already 13 in. long.She doesn't look overweight.There's no way I'd breed her until she's at least 20 in. or so.What's the average length for adult southerns that you know have bred successfully? THanks!, Jeff

Jeff, 20 inchesa certainly sounds reasonable to me.
-----
Brad Chambers

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Well I weighed the female wc Mexican-she's 104 gms, and seems in pretty good flesh. My 2 year old simus female is similar in size, and I plan to attempt to breed her next spring.
-----
Brad Chambers

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....