New to leopard geckos and wanted to know what morphs mine are...
- Thread starter Bravado
- Start date
any advice is appreciated!
amsdadtodd
New member
That crescent stripe on Bravado's head connecting his eyes makes it clear he's not a normal or wild-type, and I could swear I remember reading about it somewhere, but I can't find it now. It's possible that it would fall under Halloween Mask, or possibly jungle, due to that stripe on his side but I'm really thinking that there is a better guess.
As to your younger one, it's clearly an albino of some sort, better pictures of the eyes could help define which of the three types.
Back to Bravado, have you had him for most of his life, or recently acquire him? I ask because he seems a bit on the thin side and his front legs look a bit curved.
Welcome to GU!
Todd
As to your younger one, it's clearly an albino of some sort, better pictures of the eyes could help define which of the three types.
Back to Bravado, have you had him for most of his life, or recently acquire him? I ask because he seems a bit on the thin side and his front legs look a bit curved.
Welcome to GU!
Todd
Last edited:
Tokaybyt
New member
Bravado probably has jungle/stripe genes in his lineage somewhere. I recall an issue of REPTILES magazine, an issue nearing 20 years old or maybe 15 years, that discusses "Halloween Mask" and it's ties to jungle/stripe. In my humble opinion, the recent surge of this "trait" is more of a sales ploy for what were once considered "low end" jungles/stripes. I say low end in the context of a particular specimen did not retain the defined, connected patterning associated with the jungle/stripe genes, taking on a more "hi-yellow" type dorsal pattern while keeping a defined head pattern. Mutation history lesson aside...
I've got to agree with Todd here. There appears to be some limb structure issues on Bravado. Props to you for taking him on and traveling down the road of recovery for him. Make certain to keep proper supplementation going into him, as well as properly feeding (gutloading) his prey items. It may not reverse his visible maladies, but should stop them and get him onto the right path for a healthy life.
Regarding Arpeggio...here is an image to help you with sexing.
I've got to agree with Todd here. There appears to be some limb structure issues on Bravado. Props to you for taking him on and traveling down the road of recovery for him. Make certain to keep proper supplementation going into him, as well as properly feeding (gutloading) his prey items. It may not reverse his visible maladies, but should stop them and get him onto the right path for a healthy life.
Regarding Arpeggio...here is an image to help you with sexing.
amsdadtodd
New member
I"m glad you recognize his malady, it looks like MBD. As Chris wrote it can't be reversed but it can be stopped with proper feeding and supplementation.
Good luck to you both!
Todd
Good luck to you both!
Todd
Thank you guys, yea I did notice it right away and am taking all the steps to recovery, he has gone along way in the short time I have had him... As for the little one he/she is still a little to young I believe to make a gaurenteed determination of sex... I think I will give it a little longer and then sex "it"
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Hi ~
A warm welcome to Geckos Unlimited. Leos are sexable at about 6 months old.
Too much vitamin D3 can produce "reverse" MBD.
- How have you been supplementing and with what products?
- What feeders are you giving these leos?
- What are you feeding the insects and worms?
amsdadtodd
New member
Reverse MBD? I've read that too much D3 can cause liver failure, but can you explain the reverse MBD?
Thanks!
Todd
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Too little D3 can produce MBD; too much D3 can produce "reverse" MBD. Same symptoms.
I know, that's a sketchy explanation. :/
amsdadtodd
New member
I see, thank you for trying to clear that one up. Sketchy, but I get it.
Todd
Todd
I use calcium with d3 and dust the food daily, I feed meal worms, super worms and crickets at this time... I gut load the meal worms with carrot and high calcium diet, the crickets and super worms get the same high calcium diet... I have done a ton of research already, was not understanding the whole morph thing tho... Thank you guys again for all your help... My Leo's appreciate it as well
amsdadtodd
New member
You are doing a lot things right, good job. With that said though, I'd be concerned about daily D3. Healthy leo's generally only get D3 once or twice a week. I don't know if "playing catch-up" this way is the right thing to do or not, perhaps someone who has experience dealing with MBD can weigh in. I'd certainly be interested to hear what they say as well!
Todd
Todd
Check this post: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...sed-vit-3-toxicity-post446946.html#post446946
It explains the calcium - vitamin D connection, and what over/under supplementing can do. "Reverse" MBD is basically too much D3 causing loss of bone mass. It looks like MBD, but it's caused by excess supplementation, not lack of supplementation.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Thanks.
What brand of calcium with D3 are you using? There is a huge range of D3 content depending upon the brand.
If you are speaking about Fluker's High Calcium Cricket Food, research was done by Mark Finke, PhD. that showed FHCCF to be an ineffective product. I have details if you are interested.
I would r-e-a-l-l-y not leave any calcium with D3 in a dish for free access. I believe it's risky leaving the decision to the leo. There's too much chance of overdose. Depending upon the brand you have, I would only lightly dust with it at most 1-2x per week. Most of the vitamins, et cetera, should come from the diet we feed our crickets and worms. Consider very light supplemental dusting as a secondary source.
Click: http://www.geckosunlimited.com/comm...feeding-issues-/68574-cricket-guidelines.html
Last edited: