Hmmmm........[I]Pyxicephalus adspersus[/I] anyone!!?

[GrifTheGreat]

Well, IMO the color change is age and not size dependent, so hard to use as prediction. First thing about size is to check if it's a true P. adspersus. You could check the odontoids and confirm it; but from looking at all posted pictures, it appears one.

Second thing would be it's genes; if it comes from a large male and mama was a huge female... then things are looking better. Unless you know breeders and line; impossible to tell. I even have theory why there has been no babies from selective line breedings reinforcing size to produce 10-12 in. males.

Third is that the baby/juvenile was given all the best care (right temps, clean water, best food) for those genes to manifest during juvenile stage... I know you did . Think you have a good chance getting this guy huge.

Thank you Carlos!

He is quite the character too. Only bitey at feeding time and water is changed 3 to 4 times per day due to it spending most ofnthe time in the dish. Gets out to burrow and then right back in the dish within an hour of so. Likes to get in the way when you are trying to take the dish out for cleaning and placing it back in Lol!! I'm almost certain that it does this purposely.

About the species. Well it has alot of blue coloring on the front and hind legs which is indicative of the P. adspersus, but since most of us have never actually compared all four species together side by side as youngsters it may be hard to tell. Checking the odontoid height and width LOL! Uhhhh...easier said than done. Especially since that will be easier to check once it reaches adulthood when the odontoids are fully developed.

Nutrition is given very well and in large quantities. Variety of food items provided and it is in no way picky about what it eats. Even likes the Samurai Pacman Food. I honestly don't want a massive male Lol! No one can truly imagine what a 10" long x 12" wide 4 lb Pyxi like many wild specimens have been documented at would be like to handle for tank cleaning. Well even housing such a beast would he difficult. May have to look into an outdoor enclosure Lol!

Anyway it will be nice to see just how this guy will turn out. I've had him about a month now and he's grow very rapidly. I will be updating his growth progress like I have been thus far. Should be interesting.

[Mentat]

... Checking the odontoid height and width LOL! Uhhhh...easier said than done. Especially since that will be easier to check once it reaches adulthood when the odontoids are fully developed....

When I read about this in pub, wondered if the herpetologists that reviewed museum specimens had a chuckle, thinking about us hobbyists trying to look at odontoids in a live and aggressive adult .

[GrifTheGreat]

When I read about this in pub, wondered if the herpetologists that reviewed museum specimens had a chuckle, thinking about us hobbyists trying to look at odontoids in a live and aggressive adult .

Lmao!! Exactly!!! Not and easy task!

[Lija]

When I read about this in pub, wondered if the herpetologists that reviewed museum specimens had a chuckle, thinking about us hobbyists trying to look at odontoids in a live and aggressive adult .

lol I had enough when i was taking pics of my pixies thumbs. lol checking odontoids, hahaha no thank you and hey Grif by the way check my first post in this thread LOL i said it is male. i was right lol haha

[Mentat]

lol I had enough when i was taking pics of my pixies thumbs. lol checking odontoids, hahaha no thank you and hey Grif by the way check my first post in this thread LOL i said it is male. i was right lol haha

Agree, Stilgar was around 5 in. SVL when I had to find him an adoptive home and can't imagine trying to check his odontoids without someone getting hurt .

[GrifTheGreat]

lol I had enough when i was taking pics of my pixies thumbs. lol checking odontoids, hahaha no thank you and hey Grif by the way check my first post in this thread LOL i said it is male. i was right lol haha

Lija is on a Streak! Lol!

[GrifTheGreat]

Well he's hit 4" now and I guess it will be time to utilize his permenant home.
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Its funny how it looks after it eats because its belly squishes up around its head Lol!!

[Mentat]

Adult coloring starting to show on top of head and back !

[GrifTheGreat]

Adult coloring starting to show on top of head and back !

He is also gaining a lot of spots and yellow just above the white of its belly. He is gaining some nice color there. The golden yellow has begun to appear in the armpits too.