Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 3 year old female (I think) and a 6 year old male. What is the youngest they might mate? They are together all the time and he spends a fair amount of time trying to mate with her. When should I be concerned that this might result in babies? I have read 5 years old. How much does this vary? I just want to be well prepared well in advance. Right now there is no place in their enclosure for her to lay eggs and I want to create a place when the time is right so that she does not hold on to them.

Thanks, Ben

I have been gathering info on this myself and would love to hear some info. I have heard 6 years or older, but have also heard that it is more size dependent than age. I have heard that they are usually over 9 inches and 15 pounds. I find this strange because mine is 9.5 inches and only 6.5 pounds...very healthy, not underweight. Hopefully someone can clear this up.

I had a 4 year old lay eggs and fertile eggs at age 5.

>>I have been gathering info on this myself and would love to hear some info. I have heard 6 years or older, but have also heard that it is more size dependent than age. I have heard that they are usually over 9 inches and 15 pounds. I find this strange because mine is 9.5 inches and only 6.5 pounds...very healthy, not underweight. Hopefully someone can clear this up.
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Ed @ Tortoise Keepers
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

It would make sense that size could impact readiness for breeding. My 6 year old is 10 inches and 5 pounds and has not grown an ounce or an inch since we got him 14 months ago. I think he must be done growing. He also might have been much older than what we were told when we bought him. Either way 5 pounds seems very small for a full grown leopard.

Ben