Albino Gecko Sight?

[Cleox3]

Hello, I have a young albino gecko, and I've noticed that his ability to catch prey is a bit off compared to my other young gecko.
When I first got them neither would eat but after about two days they both started to eat. For comparison, these are the two ways my geckos feed:

Cleo, my 2nd gecko: All I have to do is put the prey in front of her so that she sees it and it catches her attention. She snaps it right up.

Leo, my albino: I have to hold the food right in front of his face to get his attention, sometimes the only way he'll focus on it is if I let the prey "tickle" his nose or snout. Then he'll lock his eyes on it. He'll stare at it for a solid minute or two- VERY LONG TIME when you're just sitting there waiting. Sometimes I'll hold it in front of him with a pair of forceps, other times I'll pin it down on the ground in front of him. I usually have to hold the prey down because if it crawls or hops away he'll just give up instead of give chase.
Even when I hold the prey down for him and wait, when he finally does snap at it, he often misses. He snaps so hard that he'll catch a bit of reptile carpet in his mouth and have to pull his mouth free. Sometimes he'll miss as much as three times before he catches the prey, which is time consuming because he'll stare for a solid 60 seconds before he tries again. He does best when I touch the prey against his mouth, and once he gets started with the first few prey items he gets better and better for the duration of that feeding.
He doesn't seem to show any other coordination issues, he's a fast runner, he walks just fine, so I'm wondering if it's an issue of sight, not coordination. He'll go to the dish to get a worm from the dish, but he often misses a few times first.

Is it normal for young albino geckos to have bad eyesight? Is this something they grow out of, or is this an issue I might potentially just have to deal with for the duration of his life?

As far as set up, they're temporarily in a 10g vivarium, split in half with an UTH in the middle so they have a warm spot and a cool spot. Cool spot ranges between 75-78 and hot spot ranges between 92-100. The 10g will be used while they're still young, they will be upgraded to their own individual larger tanks as they grow. They're fed mealworms and crickets, occasionally dusted in calcium.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Hold the phone. How do you manage to get a 20 degree difference in just 10 inches when you were getting LESS of one when you were using the entire thing? That doesn't sound right.

Also, they're WAY too big to be kept in such a tiny enclosure. You could argue that maybe newborn hatchlings would be fine, but ones the size of yours? No. Just no.

~Maggot

 

[Cleox3]

Mine are only a tad longer than my finger, they're only a few months old. And the room temperature tends to be around 75 and their UTH is 100 degrees but goes through the reptile carpet. It varies throughout the day but a 78/94 temperature gradient is average.
Thank you for your comments, I'm looking for information about possible vision issues, so if you have any insight on that I would really appreciate it

Edit: I added a picture for size reference. His size is comparable to my finger, so I'm not sure what you mean by my leos being too big.

 

[cricket4u]

I couldn't agree more, there's no way you are able to provide a temp gradient split in two. It's difficult enough achieving a gradient in a whole 10 gallon. I suggest that you buy another enclosure and separate them right away before you start running into problems.

As for the geckos vision there's always a chance of vitamin deficiency. You mentioned you use Fluker's calcium which honestly I suggest you switch to another brand which has less D3. Are you feeding in the dark? Did you ever buy the multivitamin supplement?

 

[Cleox3]

The only vitamin supplement at my local pet store has d/3 and beta carotene, I read in the article sent to me that leos don't make vitamin A from it so I need to pet store surf a bit this weekend to find somewhere that stocks a better vitamin supplement. Also, I added a picture of Leo on my finger for size comparison.

Also, a side note, I've noticed that the pupils in his eyes are different, one is wider, one is very narrow. Is it possible he is blind in one eye?
& I don't feed in the dark: I need to hold the food in front of Leo and let it brush against him so he'll eat and I need to see what I'm doing.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Mine are only a tad longer than my finger, they're only a few months old. And the room temperature tends to be around 75 and their UTH is 100 degrees but goes through the reptile carpet. It varies throughout the day but a 78/94 temperature gradient is average.
Thank you for your comments, I'm looking for information about possible vision issues, so if you have any insight on that I would really appreciate it

Edit: I added a picture for size reference. His size is comparable to my finger, so I'm not sure what you mean by my leos being too big.

First all, I remember the picture. That one's the smaller of the two. Second, how does it being bigger than your finger mean it's okay to keep it in a 5 gallon?

Since you weren't providing any vitamin A at all as of a few days ago, I wouldn't be surprised if your leo have vision problems from that.

~Maggot

 

[Cleox3]

What I meant was that I was surprised that you said it might be okay for hatchlings but definitely not for geckos the size of mine- because I don't think mine are that large. I uploaded a second picture because I thought my first one might not have given a good perspective of size. And no, he hasn't gotten vitamin A in the week that I've had him, but he's been the same way since he started feeding and I find it hard to believe that he's got vision issues from not having vitamins in the two days that he wasn't eating, or in the week that I've had him. :shock: If it's considered "normal" for a new gecko to not eat for a week at all, I'm not sure why you're suggesting that not having vitamin A in one week (even though he's been eating) has caused vision problems. In any case, I'm doing what works for me. I've watched tons of videos such as this one - He pulls out older geckos about 18 minutes in
Baby Leopard Gecko Care - YouTube
with leopard geckos bigger than mine being kept in pairs in smaller enclosures than mine & being perfectly healthy.
Yes, I realize that my current setup isn't the absolute ideal, but from the research I've done it's suitable. I thank you for your help, if you could answer the questions I'm asking that would be really helpful.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

What I meant was that I was surprised that you said it might be okay for hatchlings but definitely not for geckos the size of mine- because I don't think mine are that large.

Your geckos are several months old. They are not itty bitty new hatchlings anymore. Furthermore, I never said it was okay. I said: "You could argue that maybe newborn hatchlings would be fine..."
I went ahead and bolded AND underlined the important parts of what I said, since you seemed to have missed pretty much all of it.

I uploaded a second picture because I thought my first one might not have given a good perspective of size. And no, he hasn't gotten vitamin A in the week that I've had him, but he's been the same way since he started feeding and I find it hard to believe that he's got vision issues from not having vitamins in the two days that he wasn't eating, or in the week that I've had him. :shock:

And what about before you had him? What supplements was he getting then? Was he receiving vitamin A?

Yes, I realize that my current setup isn't the absolute ideal, but from the research I've done it's suitable. I thank you for your help, but if you could answer the questions I'm asking that would be really helpful.

I have answered your questions (except for one that you added to a post after I had already responded). But since you've dismissed everything that's been said by Cricket and myself, I'm gonna let someone else deal with you. I just don't have the patience.

~Maggot

 

[Cleox3]

Wow, you are really mean. I'm trying my best to be respectful and appreciative but it's hard when someone is just plain rude.
I thanked you for all of your responses so I'm not sure why you're saying I've dismissed it. Anyway, i respect you and your responses and i still thank you for your help, and I haven't had my questions answered so ill restate them for any others who might have some information to share.


My questions are)

Do albino geckos tend to have vision issues?
Is it possible that younger albinos might have vision issues that will improve (I'm thinking due to a sensitivity to lighting as hatchlings)
Has anyone had any experience with a young gecko that misses prey often and needs the prey brushed against their skin and held down to catch it?

 

[GlaedrLeoGecko]

My Leo tends to be a bit of a bad hunter also, she is just a basic pet store gecko. My Leo is not nearly as bad of a hunter as yours, however she still needs me to put the food right in front of her and make sure that it is moving for a good 20 secs, than she will strike at it. She misses more at first and less the longer that I feed her as well.
I can't say if albino's are worse or not, however I can say that it seems to me that geckos have a range of hunting abilities.

 

[Speckles]

My Leo tends to be a bit of a bad hunter also, she is just a basic pet store gecko. My Leo is not nearly as bad of a hunter as yours, however she still needs me to put the food right in front of her and make sure that it is moving for a good 20 secs, than she will strike at it. She misses more at first and less the longer that I feed her as well.
I can't say if albino's are worse or not, however I can say that it seems to me that geckos have a range of hunting abilities.

I don't know anything about albinos and am new to leopard geckos myself, but it is my understanding that young geckos aren't always good hunters. Speckles missed his fair share of prey items in the first few weeks we had him, partly I think because he was only fed mealworms in a dish before we got him so hunting crickets was totally new. As he continues to get older, he almost never misses. Hopefully someone else has more info specific to albinos!

 

[XoVictoryXo]

Yes they have extremely sensitive eyes. Geckos are a very delicate species as is, so adding albinism into the mix makes them even more delicate. which is why it is imperative that you correct all husbandry issues you have NOW before it is too late, and you have to deal with extremely high Vet expenses. TRUST ME(I am speaking from experience and suffered and would like to prevent you from doing the same)
The lovely ladies here are not being mean, they just care a ton about your gecko and want to help you. it is sometimes hard to read someones tone on a screen. what sounds mean to you- is actually just CONCERN.

I studied and have been fascinated with albinism for a while. Albinos are sensitive to light and exposure. They cant see well with lights on. bright lights are a BIG no no.
Those with albinism usually have impaired vision due to one or more conditions. While a person with albinism may suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, photo-phobia or light sensitivity, the visual problems particularly associated with albinism arise from a poorly-developed retinal pigment epithelium due to the lack of melanin.
Albinism is associated with a number of vision defects. Lack of skin pigmentation makes for more susceptibility to sunburn, skin cancer, and skin infections.
I own 2 albinos. I have a few Albino tips for you
1. Pay extra attention to husbandry - being that they are extra delicate
2. pay extra attention to providing good nutrition; supplements, and a supreme variety of insects- they need to be supplemented as best as possible so they can to improve their eyesight.
3. do not use any heat lamps that produce light. Best to get a ceramic heater if you can, otherwise another option is the Zilla Night Black heat bulbs. They produce a miniscule amount of light.
4. Do not put them in direct sunlight near windows. They will hide from sunlight, and not be as active as they need to be, and also it can not possibly be good for their skin-
5. Do not spoil them by hand feeding, they need to strengthen their hunting skills and if their eyesight is bad they will fine tune other sensors using hearing. You ever notice how blind people have impeccable hearing ?
*Spoiled leo's that dont hunt will sometimes suffer from obesity/fatty liver disease which is fatal.
It will take a couple strikes for them to get the insect but they will get better. what I do is remove things from the tank that insects can hide or crawl under in order to give them better hunting access.
6. research research research. Follow the care sheet here, talk with as many people as you can to strive to be the best owner you can.

 

[Cleox3]

Thanks, that was a lot of good helpful information. I'll continue to monitor him closely as he grows and develops

 

[Henritron]

Yes they have extremely sensitive eyes. Geckos are a very delicate species as is, so adding albinism into the mix makes them even more delicate. which is why it is imperative that you correct all husbandry issues you have NOW before it is too late, and you have to deal with extremely high Vet expenses. TRUST ME(I am speaking from experience and suffered and would like to prevent you from doing the same)
The lovely ladies here are not being mean, they just care a ton about your gecko and want to help you. it is sometimes hard to read someones tone on a screen. what sounds mean to you- is actually just CONCERN.

I studied and have been fascinated with albinism for a while. Albinos are sensitive to light and exposure. They cant see well with lights on. bright lights are a BIG no no.
Those with albinism usually have impaired vision due to one or more conditions. While a person with albinism may suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, photo-phobia or light sensitivity, the visual problems particularly associated with albinism arise from a poorly-developed retinal pigment epithelium due to the lack of melanin.
Albinism is associated with a number of vision defects. Lack of skin pigmentation makes for more susceptibility to sunburn, skin cancer, and skin infections.
I own 2 albinos. I have a few Albino tips for you
1. Pay extra attention to husbandry - being that they are extra delicate
2. pay extra attention to providing good nutrition; supplements, and a supreme variety of insects- they need to be supplemented as best as possible so they can to improve their eyesight.
3. do not use any heat lamps that produce light. Best to get a ceramic heater if you can, otherwise another option is the Zilla Night Black heat bulbs. They produce a miniscule amount of light.
4. Do not put them in direct sunlight near windows. They will hide from sunlight, and not be as active as they need to be, and also it can not possibly be good for their skin-
5. Do not spoil them by hand feeding, they need to strengthen their hunting skills and if their eyesight is bad they will fine tune other sensors using hearing. You ever notice how blind people have impeccable hearing ?
*Spoiled leo's that dont hunt will sometimes suffer from obesity/fatty liver disease which is fatal.
It will take a couple strikes for them to get the insect but they will get better. what I do is remove things from the tank that insects can hide or crawl under in order to give them better hunting access.
6. research research research. Follow the care sheet here, talk with as many people as you can to strive to be the best owner you can.

I have a blind albino as well.

In regards to the not hand feeding thing - I do use tweezers to feed but i have started to make it work for it (it runs to where ever it hears the click of the tweezers so i will click in an area of the tank and it lungs a few times before actually catching the cricket and then i will click the tweezers at another part of the tank and it runs there.

Bad Idea/Good Idea?