How long before T. cocinnus mature?

[JSUN]

How long does it take for garter to mature?

[guidofatherof5]

Many males become sexually active just over a year old. Females are around 18 months from what I've read.

[JSUN]

Thanks Steve

[Eddie]

The more you feed the more they grow the quicker they become mature in my experience. I have had better breeders with a slower growth, also in my experience. Are you looking to breed?

[JSUN]

Hi Eddie,
i am looking to breed these. I was feeding them everyday for a week when I first got them. I notice that they are getting fat from that, so I guess I'll just feed them every three days now.

[Albert Clark]

Hi Eddie,
i am looking to breed these. I was feeding them everyday for a week when I first got them. I notice that they are getting fat from that, so I guess I'll just feed them every three days now.
Just be careful with feeding everyday bc captive animals don't have the space to roam as they would in the wild thus over feeding can be easy. IMO, it's healthier for the animal to feed 2 to 3 times in a 7 day week. Especially if you are feeding rodents.

[Albert Clark]

The other important thing is that size doesn't equal physiologic maturity which really takes place with age. However, garters seem to be able to reproduce at younger ages but I don't know how beneficial that is for young females.

[guidofatherof5]

The other important thing is that size doesn't equal physiologic maturity which really takes place with age. However, garters seem to be able to reproduce at younger ages but I don't know how beneficial that is for young females.

I wonder if there is a correlation between young first time females dropping slugs or stillborns. Anyone know of any studies done?

[Albert Clark]

Don't know off hand but I'll see what I can find. I would think that it's true that stillborns and slugs would come with extremes of age. Young as well as older or old if you will. Remember my 7 year old Blue puget and what she went through? Although I think she might have been brumated by the previous owner while she was already gravid. Plus she was a older female. She almost died, but didn't, so I'm hoping she is stronger and healthier now.