Small Females?

[Neon Aurora]

I purchased a leopard gecko with intent to breed in November and she hasn't really grown much (obviously not due to lack of food, must just be genetics). She is 10 months old and weighs 55 grams, but that is mostly fat I think. My other females who hatched around the same time last year are 70+ grams and adult size. I didn't hesitate to pair those ones when they began ovulating because they are adult size and very much above the weight guideline for breeding and they are doing awesome with being gravid and laying their eggs. Not sure about this female, though. I know most people say 50 g, but she seems so small. She just began ovulating this week, but I don't know if I'm comfortable breeding her this season.

Opinions? Would it be best not to pair in 2017 and wait until 2018?

Here is a picture next to a gecko of similar age. That is her on the right. Excuse the larger one's lower weight, she is having a rough ovulatory cycle.

 

[Senko]

I'd like to hear what people have to say about this. I recently made my first pairing after seeing the female reach supposed optimal breeding weight(50g). She had been ovulating for a while and is now visibility developing eggs. Being my first breeding, I just have some nerves about the whole process and would like to hear some others' input.

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[DrCarrotTail]

I have a couple females that topped out about 45g (and they're a FAT 45 - a better weight for them is about 40g). They're into their 3rd breeding season and have laid 8-10 eggs a season and do just fine. If she's over 12 months old and has some body fat I think she's safe to breed.

 

[Neon Aurora]

Well, she definitely has plenty of body fat. She is 10 months old, though. Won't be 12 months until early July.

 

[DrCarrotTail]

She looks okay to me. I'd breed her if she's ovulating but wouldn't put her into a group situation or introduce a male to try to encourage ovulation if she's not. I've had a lot more problems not breeding ovulating females than breeding them when they are a touch too small. Seems like their biology knows if they're ready or not to me.

 

[Neon Aurora]

That's what I always figured, that selection pressures would have eliminated the ones that ovulated too early. She won't be in a group situation (I never do that, it never seems to work out for me) and I waited patiently for her to ovulate. I was actually hoping she would not ovulate for a while longer, but she had other ideas. I think I will go ahead and pair her.

 

[acpart]

I have a 35 gram 6 month old who is ovulating and NOT going to be bred this season. I just want her to start eating again.

Aliza