What exactly are the spurs/buttons/beads?

[GraphiK]

I know how to sex a tegu and I've seen over and over again to check for the spurs/buttons/beads but what I want to know is... what exactly ARE they and what is their purpose? Thanks!

[Tora]

Huh, good question. I know in some animals, males actually have 'hooks' to make mating easier. They might just be an offshoot of that?

[tupinambis]

http://thetegu.com/showthread.php?70...ot-scales-on-m

[GraphiK]

Perfect, thanks Tupinambis!

[Nessie]

At about what age do they start to form the beads?? My little guy (??) is only 2 months but he is getting excess skin around his neck so I wonder what the first signs will be??

[tupinambis]

If you know what you're looking for, you can spot them from day 1. Otherwise, most people don't notice them until they become quite prominent, which is usually after about 6 months-1year.

[Daenerys]

Is this something that is on all tegus or just argentines? I have a columbian...

[laurarfl]

Colombians have them as well.

[Daenerys]

Okay, I shall start keeping an eye out for them. I probably wont be able to see them until he gets bigger though, right?