Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi-
My northern is a year and a half and is only about 14-16 inches- is he a runt or something?

Growth rates depend on too many factors to throw out an age and say is this a normal size. Their growth depends on diet, temperature, health in regards to their immune system (if it is fighting off an infection). So short answer, look over you husbandry, and look at the lizard. If it is warm enough, has a proper thermo gradient, if it is eating a well balanced diet, etc, then I wouldn't worry.

That is small for a Northern, but many things could be responsible. Are you sure that it's a pure Northern? Many, if not most Northerns in the US are no longer pure-blooded Northerns. Assuming that it is pure, they will grow much slower if they are fed less during the first year. Even so you would expect most to be 19-20 inches min by 1 1/2 years. As long as he is healthy and not losing weight, you really don't need to worry about him. I have not heard of a skink growing much after 1 1/2, so this is probably as big as he's going to get.

Are you certain he is 1 1/2 years old? Could you post a picture and also tell us what his diet is like.