Breeding age of BCIs

[BeginnerBoa]

I am reading posts for female BCIs stating that they are ready for breeding when they are only 24-30 months old. Am I wrong in thinking that a female should be 3-4 years old before breeding? When I asked one of the sellers about it he said that the snake is between 4 and 5 feet long so it would be alright. What do you guys think?

[Firkraag]

I think that it all depends on how much you feed them. Normally the breeding age for females should be at least 3 years.

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

BEGINNER BOA:

The standard method is males 1.5 - 3 years and females 3 and up, although many test these standards and try younger boas in both sexes, few can state that system is proper and perfect.

From all the information available a younger pair can and will produce but will it be a decent or living litter is a different thing. Lots of breeders try and push the envolope on this issue and state feeding schedules and so on can assist this process but these factors all cause complications as well.

My facilities rule is this, they breed as mature animals with proper weight to age ratios. We are not in any hurry to push our animals in the name of greed and feel that a male at 2 - 3 years is a good mature male and females must be 3 and older.

When I got into boids I never had the idea "breed" in my plan, with the collection growing and reaching maturity now I can say "breed" as a result from a full circle cycle. Way to many new and current hobbiests seem to think breed before they even cared for the animal let alone owned it.

You mention the seller says 4 and 5 feet is ok for breeding but that like saying a 12 year old boy who is 6 foot is mature.........and that just ain' t the truth. We do not believe size = maturity. The people that breed young boas have some or no success, but its the fatality ratios and slugs and stilborns that should be looked at as well from young breeding, these numbers don' t lie.

This is just my opinion, take it as you wish or don' t....just respect the animals.

Cya...

Tony

[Manitoban Herps]

I don't think feeding them more brings them to mautirtiy any faster, a 200 lbs 5 year old cannot breed with a female, but a 25 year old 200 lbs male can.

Weight is important when the female is mature :)

[BeginnerBoa]

Thanks for your replies guys. Tony, I agree with you 100%. I got my first pair of BCIs about 6 months ago, not for breeding, but because I love snakes. Even though they don't have any morph genes, I wouldn't trade them for the world! Now that I see whats out there I want to try breeding, but I definitely don't want to harm the snakes. I am just getting a lot of different information about what's best for them. Even in regards to hybernation. Some say just shorten the daylight hours, others say reduce temp. I am still about 6 months away before I start breeding, so I just want to make sure I have all my questions taken care of first. Again, thanks for the replies, and if you guys know of good online souce about breeding, or a good book, let me know. Thanks!

Scott

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

SCOTT:

Good books to read would be.

THE BOA CONSTRICTOR - MANUAL, by Philippe de Vosjoli

THE LIVING BOAS, by Jerry G. Walls

THE REPRODUCTIVE HUSBANDRY OF PYTHONS AND BOAS, by Richard A. Ross MD

THE GUIDE TO OWNING A RED-TAILED BOA, by Glen Drewnowski

BOAS - A COMPLETE PET OWNER' S MANUAL, by Doug Wagner

ALL ABOUT BOA CONSTRICTORS (VIDEO), by Rich Ihle, Tracy/Dave Barker

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/BOAS_N_PYTHONS/09%20-%20CAGES%20and%20EQUIPMENT/bnpbookandvideos000.jpg

All these sources are great information and can help any boa hobbiest.

Cya...

Tony

[BeginnerBoa]

Thanks Tony, Again, I appreciate the info!

Scott