Uroplatus Growth Rates

[calfirecap]

I know there is not much information out there on Uroplatus phantasticus growth rates, so this chart may be of some use. The sample sizes are pretty small, and there was no scientific control, but it's a start. The data was collected for a 13 month period between December 15th 2007 & Jan 15th 2009 and did not include any animals which died before their 8th week. I choose the 8 week cut off because that appears to be critical time frame where most phants that live past this age make it to adulthood. Both F-1 and F-2 generation specimens were included in the sample and there was no seperation of the sexes. I intend to continue collecting data and would appreciate input on how to make this a more valid and useful data base.

Lawrence

[Salzy]

Very interesting Lawrence. Just like we suspect with other geckos, the larger the hatchling, the better they seem to live and grow. Such is the case it seems with that 0.6 gram hatchling, although more data would definitely help back that up.

I'm glad you put that together for us because you don't see anything like that very often. You have a lot more experience than most other folks in the U. phantasticus world, so thank you very much for this.

[ominously]

Just a question - all retained tails during the growth phase? Do you have any data regarding the sex of the animal as well? Thanks again for the data in general though - like Kyle said, not many people putting together info on these guys.

[calfirecap]

Within the sample group one did loose it's tail and it had an overall weight loss of 0.1 grams over the course of the week. However the following week it gained 0.3 grams.
As for the sex of the animals, there are about a dozen of which I can't tell for certain what sex they are. The criteria I'm using to determine sex is from Mike Martins care sheet, tail notching, white tear drops, and lateral spines. I haven't looked at the patterning at the base of the tail yet. All are/were too young to see any hemipenal bulging. So to answer your question, no I didn't seperate data between sexes, but it would be interesting to to look at. Perhaps at another time.

Lawrence

[umop_apisdn]

FYI...the tear drop is probably the one characteristic i LEAST prefer to use when sexing phantasticus. But if it seems especially prominent, it often turns out as a male. pattern and spines tend to be the best indicators of sex, but the pattern is really tricky. takes a long time to pick up the eye for it.