Important Breeding Questions

[winwin]

Ok, so despite reading stuff for over a year, I'm still a bit confused. How old and how heavy does the gecko need to be before breeding? On the female's side and on the male's side. Would it matter if the male is only 39 grams but is ready to breed? Or if it is still 6 months old? Would it matter if the male is still small and young but ready to breed?

 

[Dimidiata]

Would it matter if the male is still small and young but ready to breed?

That answers itself. If the animal is ready to breed its ready to breed. But if its too young to breed then its not ready.


edit: I just relized how terribly i worded that :\ nice.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

How are you judging that the male is ready to breed? Just wondering.

As for age & weight, it varies, and there are exceptions. The overall health of the gecko is the most important thing to look at. If you have a gecko having difficulties gaining weight, or not eating well, or appears sick, it's best not to breed that gecko just yet. Generally you'll find most recommending to wait until they are at least 50g+. You have to think about the weight loss they'll go through during the breeding season. Both male and females tend to stop eating and you have to account for the loss of weight.

Age is important because leopard geckos do most of their growing during their first year. Breeding younger geckos you bump into some possible issues. For a male if he stops eating because he's being bred, while he's growing and needs to eat, you may stunt his growth. Breeding a male too young may also give you higher chance of infertility. For females, it's similar, if you breed a female young she'll be splitting the nutrients normally used for growth with the egg development. You also bump into higher chance of infertile eggs.

It's harder on the female than the male, that goes without saying. So it's your call. You'll find most recommending 50g+, healthy, eating well, and 10+ month for female and probably 7-8+ months for male. But like I said, people have different opinions and there are exceptions. And whatever you do, make sure you check to see a female is ovulating first.

 

[im faster]

Just beacuse a female is ready doesnt mean she should be..
Think like humans sure a 13/14 year old girl may have the ability to procreate but it shouldnt be done. imagine how hard it would be on a girl that ages body.


IMO a female should be 1.5 years old OR above 50 grams before breeding.. (some geckos dont make it to that weight. thats why i added 1.5 years)

as far as males.. when they are ready they are ready

 

[winwin]

Thanks for all the response, I just tested putting my pairs together while watching them, the males seem to be in the mood, it's wagging it's tail really fast. 1 of my female is an Aptor, at around 51g is kinda receptive but I separated them since the aptor is only around 8 months old and I want to wait til it's 60g+ and 10months old, the male is a raptor but it is still 32grams and 4months old, but is also ready to breed.

2nd pair is a tangerine enigma het raptor and a hypo het raptor, the hypo(female) is already 60g but is still 7months old and the enigma seems to be off feeding and is only 39grams and also 7months, I would want to fatten up the enigma first because the female is kinda fiesty and the male might get screwed. Hehe

 

[im faster]

51 grams is fine to breed but know that the first clutch is normally bad.. and the first year is normally crappy..
if she is ovulating its not a bad idea to put them togetehr.. but waiting till 60 grams isnt a bad idea either

 

[TranceZ]

Generally I stick by these guidelines that's helped me be successful.

Females:
At least 1 year old
50g in weight or more
shows signs of being healthy and mature

Males:
At least 10 months in age
50g or more in weight.
Again shows signs of being healthy and mature.


Also I don't stick females with males unless they're ovulating. However, paper towel method has worked for me.