Breeding age??

[glacey]

Hi

I was just wondering what ages anybody has started breeding Carpet Pythons at? I've got a 3+ year old male and a 2+ year old female - both about 1200 in length.

Is this year too early to try? Can breeding too early be harmful?

Thanks in advance

[Vat69]

I'm pretty sure breeding's finished for this season, you've left it a tad too late I'm afraid.
Sexual maturity doesn't really go with age, but with the size/length of the animal. If your carpets are that size now, you should be pretty sweet to breed them at the end of this year.
But I'm not a breeder, so comments anyone?

[sxereturn]

Next season.

[glacey]

Thanks vat69, I definetly knew I was too late this season and was hoping to make an attempt at the end of year if they are mature enough. When do other breeders start 'cooling' their carpets down for breeding?

[glacey]

Actually the female shed today and the skin was 1500mm - so I guess thats getting towards a breeding size.

[craig]

sheds stretch so it not an accurate measuremaent!

[Alexahnder]

yeah- sheds can be up to 30 % larger thna the snakes actual size.

hehe I only found out about that 30% rule after I measured my little girls shed...When I measured it to be 2 feet long I was quite shocked considering she doesn't seem anywhere near that

[olivaceus71]

Originally Posted by Vat69

I'm pretty sure breeding's finished for this season, you've left it a tad too late I'm afraid.
Sexual maturity doesn't really go with age, but with the size/length of the animal. If your carpets are that size now, you should be pretty sweet to breed them at the end of this year.
But I'm not a breeder, so comments anyone?

This season hasn't even started yet. I have found that with a fair few of my macs/olives it is more a case of age rather than size, they might breed but you have more chance of viable eggs if you wait a few more years. Am starting to cool at the end of this month/april.
cheers

[Vat69]

Oh, I was under the impression that the "season" spanned over the end of one year and into the beginning of the next. That's not so?