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Sexual Maturity Question

McDowelliCheynei Jun 01, 2005 12:22 AM

Just wondering if anyone knew at what age a jungle carpet python becomes sexually mature? And approximate size?

Also, same question, but regarding the Coastal Carpet Python.

Thanks in advance for replies...

Cheers.

Replies (1)

BenTeam Jun 01, 2005 07:50 AM

As far as cheynei I think the Barkers list sexual maturity at 140-150cm. While I have no doubt that this is accurate, my 140-150 cm jungle females do not look ready to breed. Mine are usually closer to 2 meters at least before I attempt. Mine grow long and skinny until 5.5 feet or so, in fact one of my '02 females is over six feet but just a hair over 1100 grams. Body composition is a much better indicator IMO. For comparison- this year I have 4 females that have or are about to drop- their empty weights / production are as follows:
2250 grams-15 eggs
2850 grams- 17 eggs
3000 grams (laying on her eggs at the moment, around 25- laid 27 last year- all good)
3785 grams- still gravid

Hope this helps, as for coastals I would use the same criteria, (mature muscle mass) but I don't have the same data set/ experience. I do however feel (my opinion) that while coastals can get bigger that cheynei, they don't neccesarily get bigger, and they can probably breed at the same size as a jungle. I did attempt to breed one female coastal this season that was around 2kg but she never copulated.

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