Leachianus Questions

N

npgibson85

New member
Hello everyone,
I have recently been researching Leachianus giant geckos, and am considering owning one in the future, but probably not very soon because Im currently a broke student. I have researched all the basics of care (habitat, diet, etc), but am still very confused about the genetic variations produced through breeding. I know what colors and patterns are appealing to me, but don't know what genetic cross that represents.
I know there are many expert gecko hobbyists on this forum, so I have a few questions I'm sure you can answer:

1) I would like to own a Leachianus that is a vivid green color, short snout, and large/stout body. Any tips on what type would show these traits?
2) is it true that males have shorter snouts, wider heads, larger bodies, and are less skiddish?
3). I live in a very low humidity, dry-air climate. Would this make keeping cage humidity more difficult?
4) would you recommend purchasing a hatchling, paying more for a more robust juvenile, or just buying an adult?
5) regarding breeding (a topic of which I am admittedly ignorant), is it possible that too much inbreeding (or an unscrupulous breeder) could produce a genetically flawed, less robust gecko that is prone to illness? This is something I would like to avoid.
6) Any recommendations on reputable dealers/breeders?
7) Last question: what is your impression of overall difficulty/cost of care? I've read that they are fairly easy to care for, but would appreciate your opinion.

Thank you all!

PS I may not be able to respond immediately, but will ASAP
 
Yoshi'smom

Yoshi'smom

New member
Hi there. Welcome to the forums!!
I'm by no means an expert on Leachies but will share some input with you as I've had some time with my kiddo.
I've been an admirer of this species for quite some time and glad to finally have one myself.
1. If you're looking for those specific characteristics, I'd look for a Grande Terre Locale or mix. They tend to show those traits more.
2. I'm not sure about the males physical appearance being all that different from the females as I don't have that specific experience but, I have heard that females are the ones that tend to be a little more calm and less flighty. I still have a tiny squish bean and he's toally chill with me going in and grabbing him. He tends to be a thumb hugger and will just sit on my hand. I've also not had the experience of him pooping on me yet. I've heard that with Leachies, they tend to poop within the first 10 mins of being out of their enclosures and that it's fairly nasty. LOL
3. I mist in the morning and again at night (as I do with all of my Rhacs) and have had no problems with humidity. I know there are ways to keep in additional humidity if you're loosing it too quickly but they do need a dry out period just like Crested geckos do.
4. I purchased a hatchling as I wanted to be able to raise my little one up from very small. I've heard that this can help with taming. I've been handling my little one on a frequent basis and so far, he's still small but very calm. I know they go through a teenage phase and can be cage aggressive but it's often something they grow out of.
5. I've done a fair amount of research on breeding as I've been thinking about adding this species to my future projects and I've found that most people who are willing to take the time to breed them generally take their time researching their animals lineage. There are only a certain number available to us in captivity so most people take it quite seriously so that they can produce high quality captive animals. I would lean away from any inbreeding or breeders that aren't sure of their animals lineage.
6. I know Gracious Geckos has really great animals and I've honestly been looking at their stock for my own future use. Leachianus Geckos
7. I've noticed that they are just as easy as the rest of my Rhacs. Same care, diet, schedule, etc. The only costly matter is the animal it's self and that's a one time thing. The only way I see the cost of the animal being excessive is in housing, which is completely up to you.
Here are some links for you too:
Leapin Leachies - High Quality Locality Specific Rhacodactylus
GiantGeckos.com - Captive Bred Reptiles by Philippe de Vosjoli - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
And I'll share a picture of my little pipsqueak. He (I saw a few pores last night- so it's looking more and more like a he) is a Yate cross.
Kraken.jpg
 
N

npgibson85

New member
Yoshi'smom said:
Hi there. Welcome to the forums!!
I'm by no means an expert on Leachies but will share some input with you as I've had some time with my kiddo.
I've been an admirer of this species for quite some time and glad to finally have one myself.
1. If you're looking for those specific characteristics, I'd look for a Grande Terre Locale or mix. They tend to show those traits more.
2. I'm not sure about the males physical appearance being all that different from the females as I don't have that specific experience but, I have heard that females are the ones that tend to be a little more calm and less flighty. I still have a tiny squish bean and he's toally chill with me going in and grabbing him. He tends to be a thumb hugger and will just sit on my hand. I've also not had the experience of him pooping on me yet. I've heard that with Leachies, they tend to poop within the first 10 mins of being out of their enclosures and that it's fairly nasty. LOL
3. I mist in the morning and again at night (as I do with all of my Rhacs) and have had no problems with humidity. I know there are ways to keep in additional humidity if you're loosing it too quickly but they do need a dry out period just like Crested geckos do.
4. I purchased a hatchling as I wanted to be able to raise my little one up from very small. I've heard that this can help with taming. I've been handling my little one on a frequent basis and so far, he's still small but very calm. I know they go through a teenage phase and can be cage aggressive but it's often something they grow out of.
5. I've done a fair amount of research on breeding as I've been thinking about adding this species to my future projects and I've found that most people who are willing to take the time to breed them generally take their time researching their animals lineage. There are only a certain number available to us in captivity so most people take it quite seriously so that they can produce high quality captive animals. I would lean away from any inbreeding or breeders that aren't sure of their animals lineage.
6. I know Gracious Geckos has really great animals and I've honestly been looking at their stock for my own future use. Leachianus Geckos
7. I've noticed that they are just as easy as the rest of my Rhacs. Same care, diet, schedule, etc. The only costly matter is the animal it's self and that's a one time thing. The only way I see the cost of the animal being excessive is in housing, which is completely up to you.
Here are some links for you too:
Leapin Leachies - High Quality Locality Specific Rhacodactylus
GiantGeckos.com - Captive Bred Reptiles by Philippe de Vosjoli - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
And I'll share a picture of my little pipsqueak. He (I saw a few pores last night- so it's looking more and more like a he) is a Yate cross.
View attachment 37961
Click to expand...

Yoshi, thanks for the excellent and thorough reply! I checked out gracious geckos and they do have some nice looking animals. I haven't checked the other sites yet but am planning on it! I did more research and I think nuu Ana and brosse fit my criteria also. Would you happen to know what "fired up" or "fired down" means in regard to color?
And yes please post pics of your little Leachianus male!
 
Yoshi'smom

Yoshi'smom

New member
Fired up and down refers mostly to crested and gargoyle geckos coloration. When a gecko fires up their color is more vivid and bright and is usually in association with being awake, mating, activitylevels, etc. When a gecko fires down, it's usually asleep or very calm. These are very often very drastic changes in color.
I've noticed a very small difference in fired up color and fired down color with leachies. I will try to attach a picture that demonstrates the difference in my leachie between fired up and down and then show you the difference with crested and gargoyle geckos.
PhotoGrid_1454367150698.jpg
 
Yoshi'smom

Yoshi'smom

New member
I know you love all of my geckos Jess.
Those are the best I have that shows true drastic changes in color between being fired up and down. Nazgul the Gargoyle, doesn't even look like the same gecko to me. Chaos (the crestie) at least shows the same pattern while fired down. Nazgul just goes from no stripes to a bunch. It's crazy.
 
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