Is there any hope?

[enigmamachine42]

My young male is about 1 year old now and he isn't showing any interest in the female I was planning to mate him with next month, at least not when I'm looking.  He also doesn't have that mature, macho look of a full grown adult yet.  Are they likely to do it if I put them together for a while, or is he just going to sit around and stare at her?  I really don't want to mate her with my ugly, older male, even though he is definitely up to the task.

[perfectly_flawed]

At around a year old he's likely not mature enough. 18 months is the minimum recommended age for breeding, though some males are ready before then. I've bred my males at 18 months, my females at 2 years.

[enigmamachine42]

Ok.  I had thought that males were ready a little earlier, but I must have misunderstood.  Can I also expect him to grow a little more?

[perfectly_flawed]

If they've had excellent care, they usually reach their adult length shortly after reaching a year old. They fill out quite a bit after their first birthday, though. Some males are ready sooner, others later. 18 months is a good middle ground for them.