Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

I was just wondering at what ages you all 'retire' your females from breeding. I've heard varied responses from local breeders, and I just wanted to hear what your preferences were.

I think the female will tell you when to retire her. not actually talk, but the eggs will get smaller or the egg count will get smaller. I've heard of some snakes starting to get egg-bound in their old age. Personally i think when the female is in her teens the breeding should be less. For example i have a 16-17 yr old corn who is JUST a pet. and some snakes i get from others are retired breeders that they dont have room for anymore who are just pets. But thats just my idea
~kin
-----
~Sober Serpents~
Corns, Creamsicles, A Black Rat, Thayeri, Cal Kings, A Jungle Corn(Just A Pet), A Bearded dragon, Leopard Geckos, Green Anoles, a Snapping turtle, and a white cheeked mud turtle

In most cases reptiles have adapted to reproduce their entire adult lives. So there's no need to ever retire a female.

As a snake ages its cluch sizes may get smaller and poor fertility may become a factor, but even the oldest females ovulate and that's a sign of readiness to breed.

From a breeder's standpoint, it may make sense to sell a snake producing only 8 good eggs a year and replace it with one that produces 16. But there's no way of knowing if and when this happens, as all snakes are genetically different.

Tim

Third Eye

I was just thinking about this last night. This will be my 3rd year so I have no clue how far they can go but I would agree with what has been posted already
Foot Hill Reptiles