question about age

[Bunny]

So I realized that I don't know at what age they are no longer a baby and become juveniles... so at what age does this happen? I know that when they hit about a year they are an adult. Right? Funny the little things that I don't know sometimes.

 

[GeckoStud]

Age doesn't really define a juvenile, size does. I think most would agree that after they hit about 15 grams or so they are called juvies. Although I'm sure this opinion varies a bit.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

Yea...it's a funny thing...you can break it down by months, but it doesn't always work out so neatly.

Hatchling = 0 - 3 months
Juvie = 3 - 9 months
Subadult = 9 - 12 months
Adult = 1 year +

If you want to put it in grams, it's not exactly clear either. Some geckos never get all that large, but may be considered adults anyway.

Hatchling = freshly hatched - 15 to 20g
Juvie = 15g - somewhere around 35 to 40g
Subadult = 35g to around 45g
Adult = 45g+

What makes this soooo hard to answer is that you can have a 40g year old gecko that would be considered an adult. You can also have a 45g 4 - 5 month old gecko that could be considered a juvie. They are so varied that it's nearly impossible to give a straight answer.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Well my leo is in the mid 40s (I think... scale broken right now) and she is about 6 months old. I wouldn't even consider her that big of a leo.

 

[Bunny]

Thanks much... I figured it would probably be more a size thing cuz that's how your can kinda guess there age when they are young.

 

[Grinning Geckos]

A lot of time I go by how a leo LOOKS, in addition to the age and weight.

Hatchling = Hatching pattern through the majority of the pattern changed (the neato period). Body size is still lean and small, no large fat stores.

Juvie = Majority of pattern changes are complete, but not 100% done. Sexing becomes possible with the naked eye. This is the long and lanky stage. Your gecko is gaining weight, but putting it all in length.

Subadult = No question what the adult pattern is, but there may be slight changes. Weight is still going up, but now it's going to girth ... length still growing, but at a slowed pace.

Adult = Pattern set (not counting breeding and stress changes). Weight stabilizes. Heads have a "solid" look to them, especially in males. Tails and bodies are fully filled out.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I think I personally agree more with the "looks" method... It seems to vary a lot less from leo to leo.

 

[Bunny]

Yeah you guys are right about the looks. I asked cuz my guy is kinda right in the middle of baby and juvie looks wise. Maybe I'll just say he is a bavie.. haha oh I'm such a lamo.

 

[eyelids]

I agree with Shanti...

 

[Leopardbreeder]

Weight doesnt work for me. I go by age as stated above.