How big to breed?

[Philth]

Does any body know how to tell if a female is big enuff to breed? My T. blondi is probably about 7 inches now from front to back, with out streching out.

 

[Joy]

Originally posted by Philth
Does any body know how to tell if a female is big enuff to breed? My T. blondi is probably about 7 inches now from front to back, with out streching out.

There's no positive means of telling maturity in females as with males, but at that size it's a good bet she's mature. You can also check the epigastric furrow to see if it looks schlerotized (hardened), but the best and most reliable way to tell is to see how she reacts to the presence of a mature male. To reduce risk to the male, it's a good precaution to "shark cage" the male in the females' vivarium first, meaning to enclose him in a well perforated deli container. A mature female in this situation will usually tap, drum, hang around or on the deli container, or otherwise display signs of amorous interest.

Joy