2011 Hatchlings - Too young to breed?

Afternoon all...

I have a couple of early 2011 hatchlings (females) that are almost up to breeding size, one is 1250g and the other 1300g. These girls have never missed a meal, I have other 2011 female holdbacks that are only 500g-850g.

Question is: If a 2011 hatchling were to reach optimal breeding size before the end of the year would you pair them with a male or are they too young to breed still?

Thanks.

I would pair them up if i were you. I like to think as jkobylka does. The snakes know when they can healthily breed. They most likely won't go due to their age but it won't hurt them if they do, I personally would give it a try.

I probably wouldn't, but I definitely would do so next year. I think they're simply too young, even if they are large.

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Originally Posted by el8ch

Afternoon all...

I have a couple of early 2011 hatchlings (females) that are almost up to breeding size, one is 1250g and the other 1300g. These girls have never missed a meal, I have other 2011 female holdbacks that are only 500g-850g.

Question is: If a 2011 hatchling were to reach optimal breeding size before the end of the year would you pair them with a male or are they too young to breed still?

Thanks.

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If they were born early 2011, and are close to breeding weight, I believe that's considered having 2 winters under their belts which is one of the recommendations for females. Someone with experience in the subject will respond. It's something I'm curious about as well.

I have heard of a few folks breeding them at 18 months if they make the weight, which if born before or around april of 2011 than they are definitely around that 18 month mark. If they arent ready they wont go. I think I would wait and see if I could maximize their production for the next season.

I would give it a shot, just to see if they lock, if they don't then I wouldn't keep putting them together, but I would put them together two days, then give them two days off, then two days in and if nothing is seen, wait another year.

17 months old is as young as I have had females start pairing, they dropped perfect eggs at 24 months old and those resulted in perfect healthy hatchlings.
Those two are breeding again this season after regaining pre-breeding weight + some.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I checked back through their birthing records and these 2 snakes I am talking about were actually born in April and May respectively. Not as early in the year as I had thought.

My main concern is always the health of my animals, I don't think there is anything stopping me from holding off on pairing them right away and trying for a late clutch after the typical breeding season is completed. We already have 4 or 5 girls that are ready to go come fall, plus some breeding projects with another local facility, so that should keep me busy.

I started breeding my June 2010 female spider in December 2011 when she hit 2200g. She laid this week, 3 eggs and 3 slugs. I weighed her after she laid and she was 1446g. Shes already eating and even looks better than many of my older girls did after they laid.

I wouldnt be surprised if the slugs are due to her being younger, but 3 eggs are more than I would have had if i hadnt bred her. If she keeps eating like she is now Im expecting her to be huge by December.

http://www.iherp.com/Gallery/88170/4...ldMTq0ARL5.jpg

To me it is a combination of weight and age, I would not breed a female younger than 18 months regardless of how big she is.

Patience is key with breeding.