Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's my problem. I am really anxious to start breeding. I have several 04 females I wasn't even considering breeding. I didn't want to push them. I was doing routine cleaning/feeding today and was weighing them. One is up to 1,100 grams plus ate a 140 gram rat later on. If I got two more solid meals in her and cooled her, would I be risking her heath or future breeding productivity? What would everyone else do? Thanks for all your comments. Matt

Try it, but don't be dissapointed if she doesn't lay.
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-Ohh, what a Lady-

Balls for Life, Baby!

This is early in the year. Feed her small meals about every 3-4 days and put some weight on her for a couple of months before starting her on any breeding cycle. Do you have a breedable male?
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Take Care
David
My Email
www.prehistoricpets.com

Yes, my male is also an 04 and weighs 900g. Thanks for the replies. Matt

I wouldn't try it unless she reaches at least 1300 grams completely empty.

Also remember that at a year old she may not even be ready to breed and ovulate for another year - regardless of her weight.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

In the long run you will generally be disappointed breeding small females. Just because a female may breed at 1200 or 1500 grams doesn't mean it is a good idea. If you breed them young they won't ever reach the size they would have if given more time to mature. You can breed a 1200-1500 gram snake and if they do "go" you may get a 3-5 egg clutch. But then because she will go off feed and spend her energy developing the eggs in a very formative period in her life, she will always be smaller than should would have been if not bred and will mature into a female that will give you 4-6 egg clutches. If on the other hand you let her get up to over 2000 grams and/or 3 years old before breeding her, she should mature into a 2500 gram plus animal that will give you 6-10 egg clutches. You strike gold when you find one of those 5 year old pet females that are 2500 grams and have never been bred!! IMHO you will never get ahead in the long run breeding smallish females.
Grant
Morphdepot