I'm wondering about the range of ages at which our tegus (specifically Argentine b&w's) lose their hatchling and juvenile coloration. Even more specifically, the orange/yellow underbelly colors - would there be any accuracy at all in predicting age based on that coloration? If so, is it accurate to +/- 6 months? A year? Once they begin "whitening up" on their undersides, how long does that process take before it's nearly completely white?
Since size isn't a reliable predictor of age (where poor or optimal feeding can produce big gaps in growth, and hibernation or lack thereof can affect growth rate), I'm wondering what other factors, if any, might have any reliability.
The question I'm trying to answer for myself is the closest age range I can narrow down for a male tegu that is 24" long, has no hatchling green but a very orange/yellow underbelly, and is known to have had poor husbandry from a previous owner. Aside from a broad guesstimate of 18 months to 4 years, is there any other known characteristic factor that could help narrow that range?
Since size isn't a reliable predictor of age (where poor or optimal feeding can produce big gaps in growth, and hibernation or lack thereof can affect growth rate), I'm wondering what other factors, if any, might have any reliability.
The question I'm trying to answer for myself is the closest age range I can narrow down for a male tegu that is 24" long, has no hatchling green but a very orange/yellow underbelly, and is known to have had poor husbandry from a previous owner. Aside from a broad guesstimate of 18 months to 4 years, is there any other known characteristic factor that could help narrow that range?