Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ii have been offered a 10 year old male pyro (he looks like these, same stock) as the breeder is moving more towards reduced black types, and I am only interested in the heavy black types. I am wondering what is the potency of such an old snake? He is a healthy proven male. By the time my females would be ready for him he will be possibly 12 years old. I may get him anyway as he is very pretty, and the breeder is practically giving him away! LOL!

I guess I should rephrase my question: how old is too old for males, if there is any such cut off point?

I think it is the females that go infertile early. Not the males.

Oh, are we talking about snakes?
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www.Bluerosy.com

Yeah, all things being equal with supportive temps and condition, older males can successfully breed and be quite productive for a VERY long while. There really isn't a "cut-off" point per se, as there are many variables to any of this. The male is not taxed like a females body would be. I have known very old males of different types to have viable sperm and breed females with no problems whatsoever.

Cooler temps for more viable sperm is what is important with males, and maybe especially those types too. Sperm cannot thrive in hotter conditions. This is typical of any animal.

I would snatch that guy right up if I were you!

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

10-12 year old males are just getting into there prime.I probably have 10 males that are 18-20 years old and doing the job year after year for me.I don't think there is a cut off either Like Doug said but I guess when they are spent they are done.I have a Mexican bairds that was collected as a adult in 1985 and he bred for me upto last year.This year he showed no intrest with two nice females? maybe he is just done.I also have a ruthveni that Lloyd Lemke collected as a adult in (83) and he is still throwing good swimmers.That snake has to be well over 30 years old.
My buddy Randy Limburg has some Rosy Boas he has had 30 years and they are still breeding as well.

L8r Shannon

Yeah Shannon, that over 30 year old productive male is really something man!!

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

>>Yeah Shannon, that over 30 year old productive male is really something man!!

Tell me about it.....He's blind as a bat, loves to eat though.....
He's a character....every time I touch him he tries to constrict my hand......I am thinking of giving him a shot at a female next year......One of my normal, het for nothing Amealcos......
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
www.coastalbendcaptivebreeding.com

I'd like to see a picture of this 30 year old fellow! Why is he blind; does he have cataracts?

>>I'd like to see a picture of this 30 year old fellow! Why is he blind; does he have cataracts?

Yep...cataracts in both eyes......
Here's the ole guy....

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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
www.coastalbendcaptivebreeding.com

aww...the poor old dude! Be sure to give him a nice mate next year.

>>aww...the poor old dude! Be sure to give him a nice mate next year.

Nothing other than cataracts is wrong with him....I'd like to think he is in great health......as he is feeding, digesting and crapping like the rest of them....LOL
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
www.coastalbendcaptivebreeding.com

Sure!,..give the dirty old man a whirl!, he is probably as willing as this old dude is..LOL!

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks,that is what I wanted to hear. With a proven old dude I would not have to bother waiting around for years for a mature breeder. It's fun to obtain and raise babies from scratch, but I am 66 myself, and don't have that much time anymore to wait for my snakes to become mature. ;p