I'm just wondering what everyones thoughts on breeding sizes are for a Female Panther. The rule of thumb is not to breed a female before 12 months old as she's still growing and developing her bones. I personally think breeding should go by weight rather then actual age. Obviously not before 10 months old regardless of weight but what should the female weigh in grams before you'd be comfortable with trying to breed her?

Since all chameleons grow at different rates, I think the 12 month rule of thumb is kind of vague. I'd rather go by weight and health rather then a set 12 month time period. Some females are over breeding size at 12 months and some are still way under, so I think it should go by weight.

Thoughts?

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Derrik

I tend to see the size and weight of the female the first time she goes receptive which is 7 to 8 month range, if she is a good weight and health I let her mate.
I see no reason to wait 12 months or let the first receptive cycle pass, They breed at this age in nature.

are there any other general rules of thumb?

how do you know when your female has become receptive

She gets all "peachy"... Female Furcifer Pardalis display a glowing peach or pinkish color when they are receptive... When you see this color you know it.

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I see that trend with alot of big breeders lizard king. Steve reecy accidentally bred a female ambanja because of a mix up in his records and he said shes fine to this day. I would never do this on purpose obviously and neither should anyone a this would probably significantly reduce the life of her but this show how early they are capable of being bred.

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You would be suprised at how small some of the imports come in that are gravid. Tiny little girls full of eggs. Teeny tiny!

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Hey all , i was looking around yesturday trying to find weights on ppls females befor they got bred and iv looked and looked and googled and googled but forsome reason nothing , so just wondering if anyone knows of a good weight to breed your female panther at , my nosy bes are 7 months (both male & female) old so they are geting close to breeding age and just want to make sure my girl is a healthy weight befor breeding as this will be my first time breeding panthers.

I don't doubt it one bit Josh. There is nobody to keep the horny males away from the little horny girls. They are all horny buggers.

That being said, do we LET our daughters actively mate when they aren't mature? I think if it can be stopped, it's better to have female panthers mature before mating as well. I believe it increases their life span. No need to put strain on a baby female if it can be helped.

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Derrik

I agree with Vibrant Chameleons re: "I think if it can be stopped, it's better to have female panthers mature before mating as well. I believe it increases their life span. No need to put strain on a baby female if it can be helped".

As far as weighing them goes, I have never done that. I look at the female...if she is of full grown size and "pleasingly plump" then I breed her.

Personally, I believe that any nutritional resources routed to egg production , is less resource for a growing female , If she is bred before she has attained her full adult size. Just MHO......

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