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Your theory on more intricate design on males is interesting. I am going to handpick a large order of U. phantasticus this coming weekend. I will look and see if your theory holds true.
It may be more pronounced on adult males, but I see a very fine pattern of lines (I'll post a photo shortly) on their heads and spreading across their body, while in females these areas seem to be more of a matte colour. This observation comes from only a handful of specimens, though.
I have noticed one theory pointed out on someone from kingsnake.com's Gecko Forum. He thinks that when the U. phantasticus have bright colration (ie: orange blotches) showing on their underside, it indicates stress.
I've seen a dark black spot appear beneath a female's throat from time to time, surrounded by orange. Doesn't seem to coincide with much, although the female I saw it on today is the one I believe laid the bad eggs recently.
As far as I can see, this runs true, because when I first got one of my previous females she had very bright orange on the belly, but after a week lost it.
I've never seen belly colours change, but I'll keep an eye out since I wasn't really looking for it.
Dilshad Khan
