Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was as happy as could be when I saw this action going on...He.. he... ;D

Male "poss" JUNGLE and a gourgous female "Amber" gettin down to it.. I just got this guy from Pete Kahl a few months ago... I think he's about 13-14 months old

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Ed Lilley, www.constrictorsnw.com

I think you are pushing your guy a little early. I could understand wanting to produce jungles but I don't understand forcing animals into early reproduction. I have a 100 percent jungle from Peter Kahl too but I would not even attempt anything until next season.

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I'm surprised that you think attempting to breed a male boa only 2 months after it's first birthday is okay. Pretty soon people will be "introducing" their females before their second birthday. Like I said, there is nothing wrong with wanting to breed; I can't wait to breed my jungle. But be patient, you will most likely be rewarded with great litters in the future.

Please elaborate why you think it is bad for the Boa to breed at a younger age than you yourself would breed it. I am willing to listen.

I don't see anything wrong with it. Boas don't wait for their birthdays in the wild. So why wouldn't it be okay in captivity? I totally understand and agree with not power feeding females and breeding them at a young age but I think male Boas are a different. If the Boa is producing sperm, why waste it?

Good job Ed! Hopefully we'll see some Jungle babies soon!!!

1. In my opinion, boas should be quarantined for a min 6 months. Introducing new males to females after having them in the collection for only a few months is sketchy in itself. It doesnt matter who they come from either.

2. Maybe the male is courting and breeding, is he producing sperm? Doubt it. The most likely scenario is slugs. Slugs are much harder for the female to pass and therfore more stressful on her. Especially a full litter of slugs.

The "in the wild" analogy doesnt hold up. They also eat live in the wild, that doesnt mean we should feed live.

With that in mind I agree with the above poster.

Has anyone successfully bred younger offspring at 13 or 14 months of age?

I'm sure it has happened but I'm sure the odds are not good. I don't really think it hurts the male much but why put your female through it?

Why is it that slugs are harder for them to pass? Wouldn't it be more stressful or just as stressful on the Boa to have eggs develop and go full term? I don't agree with the whole slug thing. I think it may be more stressful on the keeper...LOL

And the whole wild analogy thing not adding up. Sure it adds up. If a Boa encounters another boa and it is producing sperm at a young age then do you think it's going to pass and tell itself I better wait until my next birthday? Feeding live and feeding PK is a safety thing. Again I don't see any harm in someone wanting to breed their own Boas a few months earlier.

As far as the quarantine thing goes. Everyone has their own quarantine times.

You have some good points but I am really not sure they would hold up if you based them on facts. Just my opinion.

Ask the people here on the forums. I'm sure we have a few people here who have attempted breedings at an earlier age of 18 months.

It would be very interesting to see and maybe I will form another opinion...

Another thing you might want to check out. I just skimmed through the All About Boas dvd and Rich Ihle says that boas can breed at earlier than 18 months but that he does not recommend it. He doesn't say why though.

>>Ask the people here on the forums. I'm sure we have a few people here who have attempted breedings at an earlier age of 18 months.

An only 3 pills,no premies,So it is possible!My black Tailed het was producing sperm plugs last year at 14 months old,But I never used him an now this year he wouldnt do crap,No sperm plugs or nothing,Is this a sign that I should have used him when he was willing to do the deed or did I mess things up,Who knows only time will tell!But it is possible!Very intersting debate!Thanks for sharing,Eric[Hypoboa]
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E&C's Exotic House of Reptiles

Slugs are harder and have less fluids while full term babies are mushy and flexible. I believe Ihle even mentions this in his boa video if I remember correctly. You are right though, it is very stressful on the keeper .

Of course in the wild its not going to "wait until its next birthday". They also are going to eat on loose substrate, possibly ingesting and hurting them. They also are going be culled out via natural selection (strongest survive) making stronger individuals. They also are going to feed live, as I mentioned previously. My point is that just because it is done in the wild it doesnt justify doing it in captivity.

Everybody does have their own quarantine lengths. Some, less safe and more risky... others more safe and less risky. I would reccomend the latter obviously.

So just because the boa is producing sperm plugs he has fully developed sperm cells.... Why did I not think of this.

np

I want to see you prove that JUNGLE OUT!!! and then maybe I get to see them at your table at the NorthWest Captive Breeders Expo....You going to be there this year? If you are can't wait to see what you have for sale....YAAHHH.
CONGRATS....
David
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"Life is a Safari"

I'll be there, and thanks!
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Ed Lilley, www.constrictorsnw.com

me too


no jungel but still happy
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Vince Pramuk
Vince Pramuk Reptiles

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Ed Lilley, www.constrictorsnw.com

I hoope that your breeding trial is successful and that you get those Jungles you're after!

Denny

I never pushed this male to breed in any way. I was actualy adding some of my young males to get them used to being with large females, so they weren't fearfull when it came to breeding season.. Kind of a pre trial.. I realy didn't expect any action untill december, but I can't complain if he's willing. I appriceate the argument for not pushing, In my opinion pushing a boa to breed usualy gets nothing.. That is a mature 6 year old female, the majority of my ladies are over 5 years old.

Thanks to Bthacker for steping up to the plate for me, while I wasn't on the forum. I appriceate it.
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Ed Lilley, www.constrictorsnw.com

>>I never pushed this male to breed in any way. I was actualy adding some of my young males to get them used to being with large females, so they weren't fearfull when it came to breeding season.. Kind of a pre trial.. I realy didn't expect any action untill december, but I can't complain if he's willing. I appriceate the argument for not pushing, In my opinion pushing a boa to breed usualy gets nothing.. That is a mature 6 year old female, the majority of my ladies are over 5 years old.
>>
>>Thanks to Bthacker for steping up to the plate for me, while I wasn't on the forum. I appriceate it.
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>>Ed Lilley, www.constrictorsnw.com
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E&C's Exotic House of Reptiles