Dear Kerry,
regarding scute irregularities, be sure to read what A.Highfield has to say about it. Correllation between scute irregularities and temps of incubation? Well, I don't know who would have data to prove that, but it is common knowledge among breeders that high end of normal temps (which we may do to try and produce femals in TSD species and being in a hurry...)often result in scute irregularities. We don't know for sure if it is temp "spikes" or overall temps, maybe both. I find the scute irregularities to be a good way to buy a female, as you know hatchlings only rarely can be sexed i.e. irregular scutes usually are females. The irregulatites vary in severity, ranging from a simple split in an otherwise normal scute to significant deformity.

Scute irregularities are commonly seen in wild populations also. I hope you will share what you learn from your research. Vic H.

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