I have a pair of Limpias that began showing some signs of "lumping" last season. It was posterior and lateral but forward of the vent. I assumed it was a weight issue and cut back on their feeding just a bit. The lumping subsided rather well during brumation. This spring the lumping returned rather quickly and severely in the male and the female took on a wide body shape, so I took them both in to a reputable herp vet. It was diagnosed as fatty deposits and he discussed other cases he had seen, with alterna and thayeri making up the bulk of them. He made some recommendations on diet, but stated that once this starts they tend to be permanently susceptible. It was also of his opinion and that of some of his colleagues that there may be some genetics to it also. The evidence for this was multiple alterna being maintained identically but only one or two developing this problem, and those being related. These two are siblings adding a bit more evidence to this.
Another keeper has commented on not only diet being an issue but also the over all enclosure set-up with firm structure for movement and muscle development being very positive.
The female laid one good egg her first season, none last season and six nice looking but infertile eggs (and a long slug) this season. Could this be related to the excess weight? What have been some of the negative side affects experienced with over weight alterna?
RUSS
