Larger Males

[guidofatherof5]

Last year my albino red phase radix had her babies. A total of 11. They are all doing great and growing up nicely. 2 out of the group have taken off and are much larger than their siblings. In the past this isn't a strange occurrence as the females seem to grow at a faster rate than the males.
The only problem is, these are males. I've never had this happen while I've been raising garters. The females have always pushed ahead of the males in length, girth and weight. I'm not complaining as these males might be ready to breed next Spring. I've just never had males grow larger than females at this early stage of their lives.
Any thoughts out there.

[MasSalvaje]

Any thoughts out there.

Natural selection?

I have had the same experience as you, as it has always been the females that shoot out of the gates for me. Very interesting.

-Thomas

[BUSHSNAKE]

i think its natures way to prevent inbreeding amongst siblings

[Stefan-A]

Coincidence, until shown to be a statistical fact.

[guidofatherof5]

Coincidence, until shown to be a statistical fact.

I guess I better start keeping track of this
Coincident or not, it's fun experiencing these little bits of time with them.

[Stefan-A]

I guess I better start keeping track of this

If people could be organized to keep track of a number of things (sizes, times, diets, mortality rates etc), over at least one entire season, that would generate a lot of interesting data.

[guidofatherof5]

If people could be organized to keep track of a number of things (sizes, times, diets, mortality rates etc), over at least one entire season, that would generate a lot of interesting data.

My problem is the busyness of my life with 5 kids still at home, big yard and being the only adult in the house. Many times I have to rush to get snake chores done and taking time to write things down just doesn't work out.
I do agree with you though.

[Stefan-A]

My problem is the busyness of my life with 5 kids still at home, big yard and being the only adult in the house. Many times I have to rush to get snake chores done and taking time to write things down just doesn't work out.
I do agree with you though.

Completely understandable. I just meant that the community could be a gold mine of information.

[snakeman]

I've had males outgrow females a lot.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I know that at first, many of my males seemingly at least held pace with the females and they definitely mature quicker. The males seem to go through a long lanky stage where they put all their growth into length, and then at 2 or so years of age they will bulk out a little, whereas the females seem to fill out their girth as they grow