Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I have a question regarding the coloration of cherry head redfoot: will hatchlings gain more redness in terms of area of coloration and intensity on their cheeks and neck as they turn mature?

It's seems that Carl's July hatchling is not as intensly colored as the March hatchlings. I always wonder whether Paul's cherry queen was bron with the color all over her head and neck? Or she gained some extra color later on?

I'm waiting for your expertise.

Joe

It is my understanding that they are born with their base coloration. A very red hatchling will continue to be very red and a dullish hatchling will likely stay dull. Without a doubt they develop some as they grow and mature, but there is no drastic change. Some color loss is also not uncommon in maturing animals.

I have seen 2 really large cherryhead variety at 11 & (est) 12-13" with nice red heads which leads me to believe they don't lose much coloration at a ripe age.

Although I have not experienced this myself, others have observed that the light marbling darkens in maturing animals.

Paul

Carl's July hatchlings were not as intensly colored as the March hatchlings because they were from completely different parents.
The hatchlings produced in March were from fairly red headed adults. The July hatchlings had an orange headed father and a somewhat red headed mother.

The color does intensify a little during the first year after hatching but then remains pretty much the same after that. Then, when they get to be adults, much of the head color turns darker on most (but not all) specimens. The legs remain the same until they are very old.

n/p