Thinking a couple months ahead

[hops523]

So right now I have one clutch in the incubator and maybe one more on the way for this season. I have some 2011 virgin females that I'm looking forward to pairing for the 2013/2014 season. Some have been picky eaters, especially one that only randomly eats since hitting the 1000 gram mark nearly 8 months ago. Lately they've started to eat more consistent and should be ready to go this year.

So say they gain 100-200 grams by October, would they be ready to pair or should I still wait till they are 1500 grams? And in your experience do females continue to pound food throughout the breeding season up until they lay?
Thanks

[Annarose15]

Pictures?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

in your experience do females continue to pound food throughout the breeding season up until they lay?
Thanks

Some do some don't depends on the individual.

Most of my females will go in a feeding frenzy end of august through november then back to a more regular appetite, to a complete stop when they ovulate.

Some will stop eating soon as I introduce a male.

[hops523]

I can get better pics of them not coiled in a day or so when they finish digesting their meals but here are a couple pics...




The two females I was able to pair this year were eating well after I started pairing them, but thats all I can go off of.

[Annarose15]

Another question is when in 2011 they hatched...January or December? You'll want to take semi-exact age, weight, and body condition into account before deciding to pair them. Personally, I would take the "it'd be nice, but not banking on it" approach if they're likely to only be ~1200-1300g and spotty eaters.

[hops523]

Unfortunately I dont know exact hatch dates. I think the the first female hatched between Sept-Nov and its possible the second hatched after that. I'm in no rush to pair them at the beginning of the season if they aren't up to size.