Male size and breeding

[d_virginiana]

I've got a couple questions regarding breeding this upcoming spring...

I'm going to be borrowing a female flame from my parents for a couple months to breed to one of my two albino males (one erythristic, one not but still with noticeable red on him).
The regular albino is about 4 years old, and is a typical size for his age. My erythristic albino is about 3 years old. He's as long as the first one, but very thin (not as in underfed, just generally small; his head is even small for his size).

What are some thoughts on whether it would it be safe for him to breed? Would he be less likely to be able to father a litter than the larger male? Should I put her in with the plain albino after she's been with the erythristic just in case?
I'd really prefer to breed him since I think an erythristic albino and flame female would make a beautiful litter, but if it isn't safe I can always see what I get from the plain albino.

[Eddie]

3 year old Ery should be fine. I have had many males breed at 1 year old. You would be surprised how young they can breed.
Ed

[guidofatherof5]

If he's sexually active he'll close the deal just fine.;):D

[d_virginiana]

That's good. I'm thinking these two will give me a really nice litter.


3 year old Ery should be fine. I have had many males breed at 1 year old. You would be surprised how young they can breed.
Ed

One year?! Wow, this guy was small enough that I'd have worried about a female crushing him at one year.

[guidofatherof5]

She'd of given him the ride of his life.:D

[EKS56]

:eek:

[slipknot711]

lol Steve you are too funny, :)

[butcha]

has anyone heard of a 1st season female gravid,,,i wonder about in the wild too,,,anyone????

[guidofatherof5]

I've heard of it but take it with a grain a salt. Not very probable.

[reptileparadise]

Now, lets answer your question with another question....

Do you want to breed the slimmer/lenghtier male? Do you like his appearance, condition enough to consider him a step forward in the breeding result you would like to reach?

I feel we need to keep this in mind, to make sure we breed snakes we want to breed, instead of breeding for the sake of it.
This is not aimed at you personally, do not get me wrong, but aimed at a general trend we are seeing nowadays!

[d_virginiana]

I prefer the ery/albino male (the smaller one) but believe the plain albino who has a bit of red on him would also give me a nice litter. I actually bought him to breed with a flame/ery female who sadly died before they could breed. Either way I'd expect a litter of flame het albinos; just maybe a bit higher quality reds with the ery male.

I've had garters for over a decade now without breeding any, and this is actually the continuation of a breeding project that I had been planning for years and then had to scrap when my flame/ery female died. I totally agree it's better for both keepers and snakes not to breed just for the heck of it.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I would breed the ery/albino first and then back it up with normal albino.

[d_virginiana]

That's probably what I'll do. I'd like to get a litter from her regardless of which of those males ends up siring it.

[Eddie]

I have had plenty of females become gravid and have viable young at 1 year. It seems to be the size not the age.
Ed

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Agreed!
I have had plenty of females become gravid and have viable young at 1 year. It seems to be the size not the age.
Ed

[d_virginiana]

I have had plenty of females become gravid and have viable young at 1 year. It seems to be the size not the age.
Ed

Seconded! With BPs (which I'm nowhere near being ready to breed) there seems to be a specific weight requirement for a female to breed. I've seen various forum threads where they won't even ask about the age, just weight.