Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello All,

I've got an 01ish Female, that topped the scales @ 330g today. I would think that she could go come spring, as I have heard the rule of thumb is 300g, and I would say she would be around 400g or so when april comes if I brumate.

However, the male I have is a late 02, and only @ 60g as of today. What do you think the minimum size this guy needs to have to successfully "have" the female? 250g?

I was thinking that they will probably need to wait till spring of 05, but since the female has nice size, I was just wondering if the male has a chance this year.

I have yet to breed, and these two and a pair of Russian Rats are all the breeding I will be doing for quite a few years, so I would like to get the info down before I attempt to brumate and such.

Thanks for the help

Jon

I have bred desert kings for a few years now and it has been my experience that the males are ready to breed as early as one year, if they have put on a good amount of size. They seem to be willing to breed at any age. They are perhaps the most aggressive breeders that I have. With a little push on size the rest of the year and a good brumation period, you should be able to breed the male next year. Since there is no major energy expenditure from the male, if you don't succeed, no big deal, just try again the following year. Just make sure that the female is well fed, so she doesn't turn on the male.

Derek B

Thanks a lot for the response derrick, I am somewhat pleased by that respone, gives me a season ahead for experience before the russians hit it off, which will be "more important" to me, haha.

What is the latest I could postpone brumation and breeding to get extra size on the male? Usually people brumate from Nov.-Dec. through Jan.-Feb., like 8 weeks, and around 55F right? I don't know as much about my kings as I do the rats, and no little about breeding in general. I will definately have to do some major research before I attempt anything.

Thanks

Jon