Kingsnake.com - Herpforum - Breeding underweight females?

Posted by: H_nasicus at Mon Mar 19 10:41:26 2012 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by H_nasicus ]

So I have 6 hoggies at home. The three males are all of a healthy normal weight. 2 of my females came in underweight for their age (one is 3-4 years I think and only ~100 grams) and one of my own females is underweight due to people telling me to feed her only one pinky/fuzzy a week.

The females are all on a proper diet and are gaining weight now.

Here's the debate. I'm all set to introduce the males and females April 1st. They cooled down well and seem to be doing everything they should according to what I've read. However, I'm not sure if I should let the females breed.

On one hand, I want too, on the off chance I can at least get a couple of babies from the snakes. But I would not breed them if their being underweight could cause serious health issues.

So, if I let them lock up, what are the health risks of letting them breed underweight? Or is it more likely that they just wont become gravid because they're not at their optimum weight?

This is my first time hitting breeding season with males and females at the right age and mostly right size to breed. I've never done this before, so any advice or help you can offer would be much appreciated.
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3.3 Western Hognose
0.1 Ball Python