should i burmate my 12"

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

T.s. pickeringii and 2 7" ones im getting from kevin (that im hoping r females) so that when i burmat ethem next year they can mate?
or if i just burmate next year they will still mate?

[Elliot]

Do you mean you're planning on breeding them next year?

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

Do you mean you're planning on breeding them next year?

yeaaaaaaaaaaa

[Elliot]

They're still way to small for that, especially if the females are only 7".

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

They're still way to small for that, especially if the females are only 7".

if i bought a female for next year will the male be ready to mate?

[Elliot]

Basically, the rule is the bigger the better when breeding, especially for the female. The longer you wait, the better chance you'll have of getting a healthier set of babies.

[adamanteus]

Reed, don't rush the breeding thing too much, you (and they) have all the time in the world, let them grow up and enjoy them for a while. With very small snakes, like the ones you're descibing (7"), I'd be tempted to skip brumation this year and just warm them and feed them straight through the winter.

[ssssnakeluvr]

you generally want the females to be at least 18" long....occasionally smaller for some of the smaller species...

[Ameivaboy]

Reed,

I would wait at least until their second year, let them grow normally dont "power feed" either like some people do. Snakes that grow and eat at a normal rate tend to be more long term breeders than power fed animals or ones that were bred to soon. you might get babies faster but you wont get as many over the years I promoise, gotta think long term


Kevin

[ssssnakeluvr]

it generally takes me 3 yers to get a female to breeding size and 2 for a male....