BTS jowels?

Everything Blue Tongues! Have a question? Just got a BTS and want to introduce yourself? This is the place!
Forum rules
In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts.
If you are wondering if your BTS is acting normally or might be sick, this is where you can get help with that.
This is also where you can have some FUN while sharing the enjoyment you get from your blueys!
Roarschak11
Bluey Follower
Bluey Follower
Posts: 310
Joined: Mon Nov 04, 2013 9:42 am
Country:
Location: Nebraska US

BTS jowels?

Postby Roarschak11 » Sun Apr 06, 2014 12:55 pm

I was just curious if BTS store any calcium in their jowels like some reptiles do? Does being oviviparous make it so they don't have to store it because they don't produce egg shells? I know females are usually less jowely, so is it more of a sexual dimorphism? I've just been curious about this for a while haha
User avatar
Katrina
The Daredevil
The Daredevil
Posts: 9769
Joined: Sun Dec 02, 2007 3:34 pm
Country:
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: BTS jowels?

Postby Katrina » Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:12 pm

Females aren't less jowly - T. gigas spp. are more jowly, the Australia blueys are less jowly (they store fat in their tail). I'd say that generally females are more jowly just because they often are larger / bulkier when in good shape.

I've never seen any studies that prove that calcium is stored in their jowels and I've never heard of that as a theory, so I'd say it is doubtful. Indonesian blueys store fat in the jowel areas whereas Austrialian blueys seem to store more weight in the tail. This isn't an area where much research has been done so I think all you'll find is anecdotal evidence amongst bluey owners (rather than peer reviewed and published studies).
Roarschak11
Bluey Follower
Bluey Follower
Posts: 310
Joined: Mon Nov 04, 2013 9:42 am
Country:
Location: Nebraska US

Re: BTS jowels?

Postby Roarschak11 » Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:35 pm

Katrina wrote:I've never seen any studies that prove that calcium is stored in their jowels and I've never heard of that as a theory, so I'd say it is doubtful. Indonesian blueys store fat in the jowel areas whereas Austrialian blueys seem to store more weight in the tail. This isn't an area where much research has been done so I think all you'll find is anecdotal evidence amongst bluey owners (rather than peer reviewed and published studies).


That's why I decided to ask on here haha thankyou for the input though haha
User avatar
Richard.C
Kimberley Klan
Kimberley Klan
Posts: 10474
Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 3:37 am
Country:
Location: melbourne australia

Re: BTS jowels?

Postby Richard.C » Sun Apr 06, 2014 4:11 pm

Ive noticed a few aussie species the females are more jowly looking,westerns,blotchies ect,but its more fat rolly than jowly per say,females tend to want to hold extra fat on them ,natural instincts for the following breeding season

Return to “General Discussion and FAQ”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 256 guests