increasing size of hissers through selective breeding

[buggybonnie]

I have seen extra large male hissers for sale and wondered if I was to get a few if it would increase the size of my hissers both the males and females if I eliminate any smaller males from the breeding pool? mine are not nearly as large as some that I have seen.

 

[Ralph]

While some of the size is due to genes, husbandry has a lot to do with it too. If they have a balanced, nutritious diet and aren't overcrowded, your next generation might be bigger. Removing the smaller males would make larger hissers if the males are genetically small, though.

 

[hisserman]

While some of the size is due to genes, husbandry has a lot to do with it too. If they have a balanced, nutritious diet and aren't overcrowded, your next generation might be bigger. Removing the smaller males would make larger hissers if the males are genetically small, though.

+1

 

[Zephyr]

There are some complex dynamics at work here. Environment, genetics, and diet interact in an intricate fashion to produce different results.

From my experience, the formula for a giant hisser (Gromphadorhina sp.) is:

Temperature: 80 degrees Fahrenheit

Humidity: Fairly high with aeration

Space: Tons of hiding places and LOW POPULATION DENSITY

Diet: Plenty of pelleted foods (Dog food, parrot food, ferret food, fish food)

Genetics: Predisposition to "giant"-ness. Your biggest G. oblongonata will be bigger than your largest G. portentosa, for example.