How do I know if my Emerald Swift is a juvenile or an adult?

Swifts are not lizards to be held but rather simply admired in a nice enclosure. You can only acclimate him to periodic handling only for exams or tank maintenance. This is accomplished with ever increasing periods of time sitting by the cage or with your hand in the enclosure. Always use caution to prevent injury, stress or escape.

Hi. It’s really impossible to accurately age reptiles. We can guess that they are juvenile, sub adult, or adult based on size, but this is not terribly accurate. Since reptiles are ecototherms and their metabolic rate is related to their environment, nutrition and temperature affect growth. Therefore, reptiles don’t grow based on chronological age, but rather based on the appropriateness of their previous husbandry. So we can see 2 reptiles of the exact chronological age have very different body sizes if one is fed and housed under one set of parameters compared to the other. Your best bet would be to have a new pet wellness exam done by your veterinarian who can maybe give you an educated guess. Good luck and enjoy your new pet!

There should be a temperature gradient across the enclosure. Aim for a basking spot of 90F-95F, a warm side in the high 80s F and a cool side in the low 80s F. Nighttime temps can drop between 70F and 75F.

Her growth was likely stunted by poor nutrition and a poor environment. With proper care and feeding, she may "catch up" but be prepared for the possibility that she may not. Do not worry if she doesn't use the hide. She may be comfortable enough in her surroundings to be out in plain sight. An adult female leo will be around 8-9 inches and weigh 50-80 grams. When you can, have her examined by your veterinarian and submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites. As long as she is eating and behaving normally now, there is no cause for concern.

Keeping them together would not be recommended. The adult may see the juvenile as prey and may try to eat him/her. Cresties can be tricky to sex, especially when young. If yours weighs at least 10-15 grams, you may be able to see pores using a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe. You may see the beginnings of a bulge at around 30 grams body weight. If you are unsure, have him/her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.

Male veiled chameleons have a tarsal spur, a heel spur, that is present from hatching. Females do not. Check the back legs for this bump. If it is present, you have a male. There is no definitive method of determining age. Chameleons will grow at different rates. If possible, go back to Petco and ask the associate. There should be records which may contain a breeder/source and a hatch date.

Unless you know the hatch date, determining age is very difficult. There are growth charts but these can be inaccurate since each snake will feed and develop differently. Your best chance would be to contact the store or breeder or have Fred examined by a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles.