Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

I'm interested in hearing how successful have you been using 18 mo. old males in your breeding. This is the first year I have attempted using them, and am amazed how they are breeding machines. I have a couple of brothers (4' or so in length) that breed very aggressively. Being a little leary of the possibility of them "shooting blanks" I am also using older males of different morphs to follow-up. For example, I use an 18 mo. old jungle male up to and through the pre-ovie swells, witnessing copulation, tail waving, pulsating, etc. Then when they are on break, I remove them and introduce a ghost male, for example. Complete copulation is also witnessed, so I know both males have "delivered their packages", and the "swallowed a football" ovulation occured a few days later. I won't know who the father(s) is (are) until parturition, maybe one of them, maybe both. I'm just curious about anyone that has relied on an 18 mo. old male and how succesful has that been for you?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Mark
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uncommonboa.com

my male is in that range age/length and I am very suprised at how eager he is. I posted a few videos of it. they are dark but you get the idea.
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My Photobucket

Hi Jack,

I saw your earlier post, and hope it works out for ya! I was curious from anyone that had attempted this before to see if I could get a feel if success is typically 50-50, or (completely unscientifically) determine if it is more likely to be one way or the other. I have heard of everything from one 18 mo. old male successfully doing up to 3 females, and some that couldn't do one. I'm also curous to see if people think the vigor with which one attemps may indicate maturity.

Like I said, this is completely unscientific, but I like to hear others opinions and experiences (that's why we hang out in here, right?)

Mark
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uncommonboa.com

one thing is for sure he is a very energetic breeder. still going strong.
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My Photobucket

Mine too! I'm afraid if I remove the females, they'll be trying to breed the water dishes! lol
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uncommonboa.com

its a crap shoot, worked for me once, and didn't work another time.
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Dave Lee

Thanks for the info Dave. The time it did work, was the litter "normal" size, smaller litter, or larger than expected? The time it didn't work, was the male agressive in his attempts?

Thanks again!

Mark
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uncommonboa.com

In the 18 month successful breeding, the litter was normal sized.

In the 18 month unsuccessful breeding, the male was a little shy, and not breeding aggressively. Now, a year later, that same male is doing good, shooting sperm all over the place...lol.

I just wouldn't bet the house on a litter with an 18 month old male.

But with that said, as a "small" breeder, I have several more litters in the future planned with up and coming 18 month old males.
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Dave Lee

Thanks for the input Dave. That's sorta what I was thinking. I'd rather have a litter consisting of maybe some jungles along with some DH ghosts and the rest of the non-visuals being of unknown parentage from the fathers side than to "bet the farm" on the 18 m. old jungle being sufficient. I'd hate to put the mom through the rigors of breeding and have her spit out slugs when I have other males capable of lending a hemipene to improve the odds of producing a viable clutch.

Thanks again, and good luck with your breeding season!

Mark
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uncommonboa.com

The youngest male I have used was 14 months old and it was a hypohet which was the father to the first ghost boas. I have had other males that wouldn't breed until they were 3/12 years old. Evey male is different and I don't know of any particular indication that a young male will become an early breeder. As for litters produced by young males they were no different in number of babies or size of babies. I think even if a 18 month old was a really good breeder I would try it with at most 2 females in the first year. They do tend to tire more easily and if you over push them they sometimes try to breed too long and have a lot of trouble recovering.

Bill Kirby
KRBS HERPS

Hi Bill,

Thank you for your insight. My gut tells me that these little guys are doing a good job, but like I said, I don't really want to risk being wrong, so I am supplementing their efforts with older males. I was also concerned with the potential of smaller litters, but maybe I am just too much of a worrier, eh? lol

Thanks again...hey, do I owe you a teeshirt? I know Frank got his in Daytona, I saw him wearing it, did you get ( orwant) one?

Mark
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uncommonboa.com

I think 18 Month old males are fine. There like teen age Boys Some get the idea quicker then others LOL
I Do believe GOOD breeder males produce GOOD breeder males.
In the wild a lame breeder would not get a chance to sire a litter and continue is lineage. The line would be extinct But in captivity they have a WAY better chance of breeding.

Just my thoughts
Michael T
Boas Etc

Well, look who showed up! And you KNOW which 18 mo. old boys I'm talking about...dontcha???!!!
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uncommonboa.com