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I was given a Nile monitor lizard for Xmas but the person didn't know how old it was. How do I find out the possible age range of my monitor

I was given a Nile monitor lizard for Xmas but the person didn't know how old it was. How do I find out the possible age range of my monitor

Updated On December 30th, 2017

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Answered By Emi Knafo, DVM, DACZM

Veterinarian, Board-Certified Zoological Medicine Specialist

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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!

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