Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My first question is this: for a few hours today, Sabastian just kept his mouth open.. almost like he was smiling or panting or something.. like a dog would.. he wasn't really breathing harder or anything and his cage was at 95 degrees.. is this normal? I've only noticed him doing it today. I played with him a little while and he didn't do it again.. was he just wanting attention??? (lol)
My other question is about his length. He is about 4 inches long not including his tail.. I got him at a flea market so I have no idea how old me might be.. Can you tell by their size? And how big can they get?
Also, I'm thinking about getting him a girlfriend.. the pet stores around here have them for 40$.. is this a normal price? (I got him for 15$)
Thanks in advance!
Heather

When collareds are warm they will bask with their mouths open.
It must be a way for them to get rid of heat.

Hard to say how old your lizard is. If the females are $40, hopefully they are captive bred. Check the classified section, there might be some for sell there.
I'm sure he'd really like to have a female around.

I have no idea, but mine are about that size and they are getting close to five months old.

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ETChipotle

Looking just simply AWESOME love his peachy color, Eve

I didn't think it was that obvious in the picture, but whats even more subtle is the green on the cheeks and top of the head. He's really changed in the last three weeks. It wasn't so long ago that I was determining he was the male by looking at the vent...

Thanks for the compliment....

But deep down I still think I eventually have to trade him off because he is more than likely related if not hatched from the same clutch as my 3 females.
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ETChipotle

Parents, as it gets farther down the line it is not good. Atleast thats the way it was explained to me ! We need a genetics expert for this dissussion. Very interesting indeed ! Anyway, he is very cool looking ! Eve

I'm no genetics expert, but I have taken a few genetics classes. If mammal genetics applies to reptilian genetics line breeding (inbreeding) is okay and many breeders do it for a generation or two, but if you start line breeding the majority of the time you will more than likely start seeing problems with hatching and growing, etc. But inbreeding for a gen or two and then outcrossing can increase traits (good and bad) while keeping enough gene variation. I don't know if this applies but this is what I have been taught.

Laura

Thats what I was told also F1 F2 but then I would would get new blood.

...usually only used by very knowledgable breeders of a specific family line. The practice can be used to "fix" certain traits in a line, but on the negative side, it can just as easily "fix" flaws as well. By "fix" I mean increase the chances that an animal will become homozygous for certain qualities. Unless you have worked with a specific line long term and know the risks you take by linking 'silent' recessives, and also appreciate the advantages of preserving the maximum diversity in a captive population, I would advise against it. "Inbreeding depression" affects the hatch rate and hatchling vitality in chickens, even in the absence of other more visible flaws....likely does the same in reptiles, though I have no firsthand experience.

Maybe BROCK can tell us what he knows about the dispersal of the female hatchlings which may emerge and mature within a dominant male's territory, or the other hypothetical combinations? There *may* be no inbreeding barriers in Crotaphytus at all, but the *breeding system* they hatch under is very intolerant of any weaklings produced.

DC
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I've got the blues...LOL...them screamin' yellow-head blues...

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Let there be Lizardz.
- Scott

...if that is your level of understanding. Like I said, I don't encourage it, as a rule. Not because of "sickness", however.

DC
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I've got the blues...LOL...them screamin' yellow-head blues...

Nine photography! Sunbeam reminds a little me of kane,i see differences in the face and neck but he still reminds me of kane. good photo! - jim