Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an 9-11 month old male, and a female that i just bought at the white plains show that is probably four months old. I am quarantining her, and plan to put her in with the male in a month or two. I think, though, that she may not be the proper size for mating. Should I wait until she is larger (3-4 months more)? Will the male try to mate with her even though she may not be ready? Or can he tell, somehow, that she is not ready, and hold off?

you should definitly wait until summer then. if she is only 4 months old she is way to young. of course some females reach breeding size faster than others, but usually they should be around 12 months.
otherwise they may get permanently damaged because growing and breeding at once is to much for them.
even when they are big and old enough you always have to watch supplementation closely.

it even might be difficult to be sure that a 4 month old crested is male or female, perhaps he is a late bloomer...

so i wish you much fun next summer

best regards

ingo

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The normally suggested weight to breed a female is 35 grams ,smaller you run the risk of her not being physically ready for breeding and egg laying .

Secondly at 4 months she is likely very much smaller than your male ,Keeping lizards together that are a great deal different in size is not at all a good practice.

Lastly at 4 months there is a likelyhood that you dont even know 100% for sure it is a female. Which would bring up a entirely different set of issues .

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"Or can he tell, somehow, that she is not ready, and hold off?"

Regardless of the actual chronological age, averages or whatever - You need to wait until your female Crested reaches a weight of at least 35g. Certainly you could wait until next summer, or this spring, or later the following year. But the accepted point at which your female can safely be placed with an adult male is based on her weight - so get a weight on her. Underweight females can breed, but problems lie ahead for them and their offspring…

Certainly once in a breeding program, you need monitor their calcium levels. Shelling eggs can quickly exploit a weakness in the diet you provide your captives and you need to be able to spot it.

Take heed to the other points brought up by “drkfantasy” as well.

-Randy
www.neoscales.com