Mating Season, Proportion of Reproductive Females, and Sexual Maturity of the Habu, Trimeresurus flavoviridis

Abstract

During April 1984 to June 1985, body size, presence of spermatozoa in cloaca. and pregnancy were investigated in 128 female and 198 male habus, Trimeresurus flavoviridis. The mating season of the habu was estimated to be late March to mid-June, especially April and May. The proportion of reproductive females among fully mature females (greater than 110cm in snout-vent length) was 78%. It is quite possible that most fully mature female habus reproduce annually. Although some female habus matured at two years of age (greater than 90-100cm size class in SVL), most females matured at three years of age. Male habus seemed to mature at one year of age (greater than 80cm in SVL). Spermatozoa were also detected from the cloaca of 2 non-reproductive females.