Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How long should my western hoggie be before i can cool them and breed them? My female is about a year old and she is small because of her feeding habits she had before i got here. My male is about right on course size wise (about 14" now). I do keep them together...they actually seem to do better together than not (i know that is weird, but i honestly beleive that they are in love, in snake terms anyway), so i will have to cool them anyway before they breed. I was just curious. I am thinking probably next spring will be time, but i dont know. Opinions please and thank you

-----
"i wasn't born with enough middle fingers"

1.0 ball python- Azazel
1.0 columbian boa- Brooklyn
1.0 JCP-Milton
1.0 red blood python-Hiss
1.0 peach phase thayeri-Sancho
0.1 creamsicle corn- Pandora
1.1 hognose- Pricilla and Odd
0.1 russian tortoise- Manja
0.1.1 leos- Boji and Kodama
0.1 beardie- Indie
1.0 BTS- Griffon
0.1 Iggy- Sunny
0.1 pacific parrolet- Mishka
1.1 cats- Cairo and Oberon
1.4 ratties Rizzo, Bree, Blitzkreig, Raisin, and the Runt (R.I.P. Willard. )

I had a pair of 02' westerns that bred this year for their first time. The male was about 16" @ 200 grams. The female was about 22" @ 280 grams. Got 8 good eggs at laying, one has gone bad in incubation and the other 7 should hatch any day now. Hope this helps, have fun!

Matt

I'm a rookie, when dealing with hognose but in the caresheet on this HP
http://www.reptilekeeper.co.uk/westhogcaresheets/gilbertcaresheet.php

it says that you shuold not attempt to breed until the reach at least 16" ??!

Cheers

Jakob

I would say that if your female is about 20" by spring you could breed them. Your male is right on track. It would be ideal if you keep them separate during cooling then you introduce them right after brumation. That way, they haven't seen each other for so long their bound to hit it off. And you can see them breed and be sure she is gravid. After brumation just keep them together until she looks gravid then you may want to separate.
Good luck! Nice looking snakes you got there.
-----
James
My Web Page

Stop talking about breeding. I want to breed so bad but my female is only 9 inches so I got a while to go unless I find more room in my room somewherefor a pair. I can't wait till my first breeding cruisade. I'm glad it'll be hoggies. After I gain some experience with breeding snakes with hoggies I'll try out my chondros. Maybe I won't have to work at McDonald's for some $.

I have had a pain in the a_s reluctant feeder who was originally purchased as a breeder. She is 20 inchs long and only weighs 130 grams. I had put her in with a male a few times to see what would happen and several times they hooked up. I did'nt think the breeding would be succesful because of how little she was, and two days ago she gave me six healthy eggs.

Given her size, I won't double clutch her. I just found it amazing that a snake could deliver eggs at such a small size.

Good Luck.
Jason Mc

Thanks for the good advice guys! I am assuming that keeping them together for the time being is ok...I have read that females are the ones that tend to cannabalize males amd my girl is way smaller than he is. Also, i figured that they wont breed until i cool them so i wont have to worry about her being too small breeding wize. Thanks bunches~!
-----
"i wasn't born with enough middle fingers"

1.0 ball python- Azazel
1.0 columbian boa- Brooklyn
1.0 JCP-Milton
1.0 red blood python-Hiss
1.0 peach phase thayeri-Sancho
0.1 creamsicle corn- Pandora
1.1 hognose- Pricilla and Odd
0.1 russian tortoise- Manja
0.1.1 leos- Boji and Kodama
0.1 beardie- Indie
1.0 BTS- Griffon
0.1 Iggy- Sunny
0.1 pacific parrolet- Mishka
1.1 cats- Cairo and Oberon
1.4 ratties Rizzo, Bree, Blitzkreig, Raisin, and the Runt (R.I.P. Willard. )