Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a pair of Leopard Rats which I believe are breeding size.... but I'd like some feedback. They are both 07's that are about 27" in length. The male is about 60g, the female is about 90g. Both were cooled for 5 mos and warmed up on 3/1/09. They have been feeding steadily and both are ready to shed, after which seems like prime time for them to be introduced. Any advice would be appreciated.
Doug

I would personally give the female another year before breeding.
I was wondering why you would cool them for such a long period?

-----
Randy Whittington

Waiting a year is kind of what I figured, but I also know they are one of the smallest rat snakes and wasn't sure what adult size was! I have read 70-100cm.
Your female pictured is a beauty! Thanks for sharing it. For reference, can you approximate her weight and length when that picture was taken?
As far as the long brumation, my best answser is that the length of time was convenience. It was the same period that all of my colubrids were cooled. Perhaps it's because that was the duration of snow on the ground here in northern Maine. In any case, they seem fine and are thriving.

She was just over 3 ft in the picture. I'm not sure about weight. She is gravid right now so I don't want to mess with her too much.
They lay large eggs for their size which is a big reason I would wait to be safe.

-----
Randy Whittington

I also have a pair of 07's that I just got this year. I am waiting until next year to try and breed them. They are both fairly long, but I would like to put a bit more girth and size in general on them(especially the female).

-----
Matt Kauffman