The causes of tail loss...

[GeckoGirl1990]

Well I'll be getting my first cresties soon, and I know that once a crested loses its tail, it does not grow back. I want to avoid this, so I was wondering if anyone who has a crested, with a dropped tail, could tell me what situation caused this to happen? I know that it can be caused by fear or stress... but specific examples would be helpful in preventing tail loss in my future cresties

 

[Scarlet.Escapist]

Crested geckos can drop their tails for the most obscure/random reasons. It really just depends on your gecko.

My male F'lar had a really beautiful tail once...then one night for no apparent reason (or at least that was what I concluded:roll he dropped it. F'lar was...is a pretty flighty gecko. So I'd assume almost anything can startle him.

Prevention...
-Just try to keep the gecko in low traffic areas
-keep other pets such as cats/dogs out of the room
-try to keep sudden bursts of sound to a minimum
-when picking up the gecko /approaching cage/waking your gecko to pick up... do your best not to make sudden movements

 

[GeckoGirl1990]

thanks for the helpful advice! I wasnt sure that anybody would want to talk about this kind of experience lol

 

[BlackIrisReptiles]

I only have one gecko with no tail, and that's how I got her. She had been in an abusive situation, so any number of reasons could have made her drop her tail. However, now she's my most social crestie, which is a fantastic turn-around.

I try never ever to put any pressure on my other geckos' tails. If I grab them I like to stay celar of their tail and try to get them to climb up onto my hand. And obviously never frightening them. I try to keep my movements slow and predictable for them, and so far so good.