Quote Originally Posted by PsionicRat View Post
Today I was really surprised, my ACF (who's name is Takeo now.) started getting black marks on his hands and arms. I wasn't expecting that sort of development for some time yet. I'm hoping this means he's younger than I feared. His previous owner said she'd had him for 'over a year or so' and I was starting to think he was underdeveloped as well as emaciated. Either way he's not as long as the sites say he should be (he may be four inches at best). Is it possible he's still growing or could he be stunted for the rest of his life?
The black patches are his hands and arms are called nuptial pads. These are rough, dark patches that sexually mature males get during the breeding season. Males usually become mature at about 9 months. The purpose of nuptial pads is to help the male grab on to the female during the mating embrace, called amplexus. They become very noticeable if Takeo is an albino.

He does seem to be gaining some weight though, at the very least he's not as sharp around the edges as when I first got him.[/QUOTE]

Good job! I think Takeo has a good home now.