Leo Newbie Questions

[Gojira]

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While changing the tile in my gecko's enclosure (previous tile was not heating consistently for her), I noticed that her colors have changed considerably. I have not had her long, only a little over a month. Attached is a pic from when I first got her. I could not get a good pic of her today, but the orange on her is now almost yellow, and the faint spots on her head are now black. Is this a cause for concern? Or would the inconsistent heating have anything to do with it? She's shy but not lethargic, clear eyes, and she's starting to eat more regularly.
20200508_112603_HDR.jpg

[Elizabeth Freer]

Hi ~

You could probably have continued under the thread you began on June 1 entitled Leo Newbie Questions in the Husbandry, Housing, & Heating subforum. All your former GU threads remain easily accessible and "current". Posting on a forum like GU far exceeds a facebook experience -- "a little here, more there"!

It's quite normal for a leo's pattern to change as she matures. It's nothing heat-related or cause for concern.

IF you're looking for a tile substrate that holds heat well, try slate. Be sure to coat it with a water-base, low VOC, sealant so it doesn't absorb bacteria and anything else.

Here's a source.

For link 163 click: Slate Cheese Trays 16" x 12" (11.8 inches = actual width) x 0.3 inch for Leo Substrate . . . . . . Gutler -- May 2020

[Gojira]

Hi ~

You could probably have continued under the thread you began on June 1 entitled Leo Newbie Questions in the Husbandry, Housing, & Heating subforum. All your former GU threads remain easily accessible and "current". Posting on a forum like GU far exceeds a facebook experience -- "a little here, more there"!

It's quite normal for a leo's pattern to change as she matures. It's nothing heat-related or cause for concern.

IF you're looking for a tile substrate that holds heat well, try slate. Be sure to coat it with a water-base, low VOC, sealant so it doesn't absorb bacteria and anything else.

Here's a source.

For link 163 click: Slate Cheese Trays 16" x 12" (11.8 inches = actual width) x 0.3 inch for Leo Substrate . . . . . . Gutler -- May 2020

Thank you for the resource!

And would the color change still be considered normal for an adult? The breeder I got her from confirmed with me she's 2 years, turning 3 in August.

[Elizabeth Freer]

Thank you for the resource!

And would the color change still be considered normal for an adult? The breeder I got her from confirmed with me she's 2 years, turning 3 in August.

You're welcome. Some of my other adult geckos lighten and darken with the environment or their patterns change a bit as they mature.

I'll mention Aliza @acpart. She might know when a leo's ultimate colors show. Aliza bred leos for many years.

[acpart]

There are a number of possible reasons for your gecko to change color as you describe:
the yellowing could be due to not being warm enough and it may get more orange as the heat kicks in
some orange colored geckos yellow as they age
I've had a lot of geckos that initially lost all or nearly all of their spots get spottier with age
unless this has been going on for a long time, it may be be getting ready to shed.

Aliza

[Gojira]

To update on the color change, I've noticed her orange has come back! Her head spots are still black, but she seems to be fine otherwise.

I also want to share a massive breakthrough today! After giving her a full week of no interaction (did some reading and wondered if the advice would help) and then some hasty husbandry corrections (I had to rearrange her enclosure due to some heating issues and her getting stuck in places.), Goji came out of her own volition! And she was content to explore even with me not only in her lane of sight but with hands in the enclosure!

https://youtu.be/Ii_2Kd4d3PE

[Elizabeth Freer]

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To update on the color change, I've noticed her orange has come back! Her head spots are still black, but she seems to be fine otherwise.

I also want to share a massive breakthrough today! After giving her a full week of no interaction (did some reading and wondered if the advice would help) and then some hasty husbandry corrections (I had to rearrange her enclosure due to some heating issues and her getting stuck in places.), Goji came out of her own volition! And she was content to explore even with me not only in her lane of sight but with hands in the enclosure!

https://youtu.be/Ii_2Kd4d3PE

, you guys are buddies now!