Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 1.2 lavender cal kings. The 2 females are ready to breed this year, but the male is quiet a bit larger. In fact, he is at least twice the size of the females. Can I still breed them? Will he eat the female? Any suggestions?

"Ready to breed this year"????? You should be feeding them a little more before brumation and breed them in the spring. In the spring wait until the female sheds (keep the shed in her cage) and let the male go into the female's cage. Most of the time the male is just wanting to breed in the spring time and breeding will occur if the female is receptive. Make sure you watch in case they try to eat each other (and that can happen if they aren't ready for breeding).

But you should not be breeding them now.

Kerby...

also, in addition to what Kerby said, make sure that the females ARE large enough to breed. If the male is twice their size, then I have to wonder how large the females are? And how old are they?
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~Sasheena

I agree too. The female has to be mature enough, sometimes 3 to 4 years of age. If bred too early it could stunt growth as it was explained to me. Feed them until winter and keep accurate length measurements. When the snake seems to have leveled off for four or so months it is normally ready to go. Some people have used a 30 inch minimum, but I make sure they are actually ready to go.

Patience is a virtue,
John Lassiter

My minimum is 40" on common kings......give or take a couple inches. Some people go by a 400 gram rule also. I've had females that were 400 grams that I didn't think were ready, so use your best judgement. One more year can double a female's weight in some cases. Don't rush it.

Brandon Osborne

yes for kings i stick to the 40"-400g rule as a minimum before breeding a female. i have some hotties i am just dying to breed in '04 but they aren't going to make it, have to wait til their 3rd year. it's not easy doing what you think is right sometimes...lol.
dB

Yes 40 inches and 400 grams is correct for common kings. I was referring to my Mexicana and Alterna when I stated the 30 inch rule. Sorry for any confusion.
Thanks,
John Lassiter

They will be almost 3 yrs old next season. They are right about 3ft long and 1 1/2 times the width of a magic marker and they should bulk up quite a bit prior to breeding, but he is almost 5 1/2 ft and at his fattest point he is just smaller than a golf ball.

sorry, I did mean next season. Not now. Thanks for the input.

tom

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