Will winter slow down affect growth in sub-adult?

[Dog Shrink]

Like it says... I was just curious because Eros is now 9 months old. Almost mature right? I believe I read that they stop growing between 9-14-ish mos old, but could still put weight on until 2 yrs, but the bone is done developing. Eros is showing signs of winter slow down, and I was curious to know if the winter slow down, the leser food he is eating, will that affect his adult size/bone growth since he technically could/should still have a bit more time to develop? Will everything slow down during this period then pick back up in spring even tho he will be a year old? If there is more bone development that could be done at that point will it? or is his bone growth gonna stop because of the slow down and he'll be done with it and just put on the bit more adult pudge until he is slightly older?

Again this isn't a real worry but moreso general curiosity on my part.

 

[roger]

Like it says... I was just curious because Eros is now 9 months old. Almost mature right? I believe I read that they stop growing between 9-14-ish mos old, but could still put weight on until 2 yrs, but the bone is done developing. Eros is showing signs of winter slow down, and I was curious to know if the winter slow down, the leser food he is eating, will that affect his adult size/bone growth since he technically could/should still have a bit more time to develop? Will everything slow down during this period then pick back up in spring even tho he will be a year old? If there is more bone development that could be done at that point will it? or is his bone growth gonna stop because of the slow down and he'll be done with it and just put on the bit more adult pudge until he is slightly older?

Again this isn't a real worry but moreso general curiosity on my part.

In my experience although they are done most of their growing at 1 yr. mine continue to fill out after that and although they are done growing lenght wise they are still putting on weight especially the ones that feed on more than one prey.You will notice at a specific weight like your eros he is at that age where they tail off on their food altogether.They dont need as much the older they get.Because eros has tailed off will not affect his overall size.

 

[tlbowling]

In my experience, they catch right up, and continue to grow as soon as the weather warms up again.

 

[Pokersnake]

*sigh* both of mine have decided to not eat for the last few days. I think maybe on or two 1/2" dubias have disappeared into each of them. They're not interested in meal worms, even active squirmy ones. They are both obviously different ages. Titan being over a year and Io under a year... so I have a hard time believing this is due to age.

Yet another reason to hate winter.

 

[Dog Shrink]

So even after a winter slow down if the leo still has bone to develop he will pick it back up after the winter is over? Weight I suspect he will put back or finish putting on after the slow down, I just wanted him to reach his full bone potential and was hoping winter slow down would not stunt/end that bone growth prematurely.

Thanks so far for the replies...

 

[roger]

So even after a winter slow down if the leo still has bone to develop he will pick it back up after the winter is over? Weight I suspect he will put back or finish putting on after the slow down, I just wanted him to reach his full bone potential and was hoping winter slow down would not stunt/end that bone growth prematurely.

Thanks so far for the replies...

Dog Shrink-I have 25 leos.Some were in the same position and age as yours.The winter months slowed down their eating and growth rate but picked up in the spring.They all matured and are extremely health.You have nothing to worry about.Thats why I am a firm believer in feeding as much as my leos can eat.It is extremely important to follow up with a supplement,calcium,calcium D3 regiment

 

[Dog Shrink]

Thanks Roger... it's good to know that he should pick back up and complete his growth cycle after the winter months. We do suppliment on a regualr basis, maybe a little too much as evident from his now present calcium bubble under his arm, but we have adjusted his suppliment schedule to correct that. Also I do offer food until HE tells me he is done, usually by walking away and going to another hide.

 

[TokayKeeper]

From a natural history and development standpoint, many mid-sized lizard species will take 2-3 years to reach full adult length/maturity in the wild. But in the wild they aren't being fed daily to every other day though they are getting more natural supplementation via a greater varied prey assortment. Smaller species take roughly 1 season, particularly males since they require less allocated bodily resources to run the risk of investing engery into reproduction.

Collared lizards are a good example of the mid-sized lizard aspect, with wild males typically reproductive by their 2nd summer (3rd summer after hatching) and females around 3-4 years. Interestingly, if I recall studies correctly male collareds average 5-7 years of age in the wild. Whereas some of the smaller spiny lizards (Sceloporus species) and side-blotch lizards (Uta stansburiana) are sexually mature in size (weight and length) the immediate season after hatching. Given leopard geckos are heavier bodied than a large male collared, I'd venture to say you're safe on your guy not under developing due to a natural cyling process.

I sincerely don't mean to be condescending, but an animal behavioralist should know the above as learned knowledge of animal development, prey choice calculation (choosing a large prey item vs a small prey item can be mathematically calculated), and reproductive fitness assessment (which can also be mathematically calculated).

The short answer, the slow down, either wild or captive, should not be an issue if the animal has allocated proper and/or sufficient resources to handle cooler temps or reduced to no food intake. After all, these guys are a desert/arid grassland species that allocate fat and water storage into their tails.

EDIT: FWIW...most/all reptiles have indeterminate growth, where growth is not terminated - rapid growth occurs at a young age, with continued growth after adulthood at a slower pace. This is in contrast to determinate growth, where an organism has a genetically pre-determined adult/matured structural form and growth stops once that is achieved.

 

[TokayKeeper]

Thats why I am a firm believer in feeding as much as my leos can eat.

And I am not. My take on letting an animal eat as much as it can eat results in obese animals (leopard geckos in this case). I'm actually sickened by some of the fat @$$ geckos posted, they look like the gecko version of the obese dog/cat poster seen in vet examination rooms.

If some of these leopard geckos were human they'd be pushing 300 lbs +.

 

[roger]

And I am not. My take on letting an animal eat as much as it can eat results in obese animals (leopard geckos in this case). I'm actually sickened by some of the fat @$$ geckos posted, they look like the gecko version of the obese dog/cat poster seen in vet examination rooms.

If some of these leopard geckos were human they'd be pushing 300 lbs +.

My female girls are all robust and healthy,not obese as you allude to.My experience is that i allow my females to eat till they are full.When they are gravid they tend to lose weight and they still have a healthy weight to them which reinforces my views on feeding.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Thank you for the educaltional post Tokay and my area of behavior study is Canids... more specifically agression disorders, canine communication and pack dynamics, not herps... hence my presence here and my lack of knowledge in the growth and development of herps. I have worked with dogs for 17 years, and focus my continued studies in that area, again hence my presence here so that I can refresh and learn more about their growth, development, and specialized needs.

 

[tlbowling]

Dog Shrink-I have 25 leos.Some were in the same position and age as yours.The winter months slowed down their eating and growth rate but picked up in the spring.They all matured and are extremely health.You have nothing to worry about.Thats why I am a firm believer in feeding as much as my leos can eat.It is extremely important to follow up with a supplement,calcium,calcium D3 regiment

:main_thumbsup:This happens exactly in my experience too