Different head shapes?

[TheOneBlueGecko]

So, I have noticed between the leopard geckos that I have had that there seems to be two head shapes.

(Note: the pictures I put together are not mine, but I needed ones that really showed the difference.)

Wide Shaped Head:

Narrow Shaped Head: (You can especially see the difference on the front view)

First off, am I crazy, because I swear there are clear different head shapes, but it seems to never come up in discussions about gecko variation?

Second, for those of you that breed, do you even think about this trait when breeding, is it just a random trait, are the wider headed ones just heavier? I know that I for one find the narrower head a bit cuter, but maybe that is just me. Although I do not care enough to select a gecko just because of head shape.

 

[Debbie7054]

I've noticed my gecko's have different head shapes too but as you say I've never heard anyone mention them before.

 

[Gecko_Kloeb]

I got one with a giant dome, and two with "normal sized" ones.

 

[MattL]

Have you noticed wide heads in males, and narrow heads in females? If so, that's just sexual dimorphism. Males have larger, broader bodies and heads while females are smaller in build and head size.

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

In my case the ones with the thin heads were a female and an unsexed young gecko. The one with the larger head is about 5.5in and 20g and looks female thus far.

Edit: It is possible that it could be related to gender to a degree, but I have to think that it is not a clear cut thing because it is apparent from well before the point that you can sex them by looking at their pores.

 

[Douceboyz]

I've seen geckos with different jaw shapes as well. A particular breeder in Boston has breed geckos with really robust and deep setting jaws.

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

I've seen geckos with different jaw shapes as well. A particular breeder in Boston has breed geckos with really robust and deep setting jaws.

That is really interesting. Do you happen to know if they have a website? I am just curious to see what they look like.

 

[Saskia]

The differecnce in head shapes I've noticed it is (a least for what I have seen) always sex related, the broad heads are males and the "arrow" shaped heads are females, also the males have thicker heads, sometimes if an animal is difficult to sex I look at the head shape.... it is maybe not 100% accurate but has worked for me so far all the times

 

[Debbie7054]

My last hatchling has a really stubby little head

 

[Saskia]

The head shapes as hatchlings can change a lot until they get to adulthood! it is not accurate to sex babies according to head shapes.... with adults I have had 100% accuracy, buy I can't say the "method" is 100% accurate... there are always exceptions

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

The head shapes as hatchlings can change a lot until they get to adulthood! it is not accurate to sex babies according to head shapes.... with adults I have had 100% accuracy, buy I can't say the "method" is 100% accurate... there are always exceptions

Interesting. I was wondering why people would not sex their babies this way if it did correlate with their sex.