Strange black mark on grandis
- Thread starter Nathanb
- Start date
No - that's the strange thing, she's the one who had the bad shed about 2 weeks ago (you replied to that post as well - you'll soon be my first port of call of gecko queries ;-) ), she's shed again today, much better shed this time - all done in about 3-4 hours, when she'd finished I noticed the black mark, I suppose it could have been hidden by some of the grey skin from the previous bad shed which is why I haven't noticed it. Do I just need to keep an eye on it for a few days and see if it goes away?
Slightly different question for you - the male shed today as well, and rather than just him eat the shed the females helped him out - that's new, I haven't seen them do it before - is that normal behaviour?
Slightly different question for you - the male shed today as well, and rather than just him eat the shed the females helped him out - that's new, I haven't seen them do it before - is that normal behaviour?
Aimless
Super Moderator
yeah, I wouldn't worry about them sharing the shed. that's normal.
hmmm. at some point there was an injury. it may have been awhile ago, and possibly under old skin. geckos are fast and it's not easy to inspect them fully all the time. it's possible she rubbed it into an injury during shedding.
black marks also indicate burns or fungal infection. based on the location I would say a burn is unlikely.
I don't *think* it looks like a fungal infection, but it's hard to be certain. I'm not a veterinarian.
I'd keep an eye on it til goes away. if the area swells, oozes, turns any other colors, or just looks "worse" she needs to see a vet asap. as it is now, if it were my gecko I'd just keep an eye on it for awhile. it might not get better until her next shed cycle, when you'll probably see the color get duller if it is a scar.
hmmm. at some point there was an injury. it may have been awhile ago, and possibly under old skin. geckos are fast and it's not easy to inspect them fully all the time. it's possible she rubbed it into an injury during shedding.
black marks also indicate burns or fungal infection. based on the location I would say a burn is unlikely.
I don't *think* it looks like a fungal infection, but it's hard to be certain. I'm not a veterinarian.
I'd keep an eye on it til goes away. if the area swells, oozes, turns any other colors, or just looks "worse" she needs to see a vet asap. as it is now, if it were my gecko I'd just keep an eye on it for awhile. it might not get better until her next shed cycle, when you'll probably see the color get duller if it is a scar.
OK - so I thought this was sorted, but she's now got another mark on her side right next to the first one (which appears to have healed nicely now) - it looks like another cut/wound. :-( it's right next to the original one and there's no other marks on her anywhere - the only 2 things I can think of is that it's occurring as the male is trying to mate with her, but it seems like an odd place.. other is as she's shedding is she perhaps rubbing too hard against the cork slabs in the tank?
Has any one got any suggestions as to what might be causing it and do I need to be worried?
She does seem fairly happy in herself and she's certainly not avoiding the other 2 geckos in the tank, whenever I'm watching them I can't see any aggression either.
Has any one got any suggestions as to what might be causing it and do I need to be worried?
She does seem fairly happy in herself and she's certainly not avoiding the other 2 geckos in the tank, whenever I'm watching them I can't see any aggression either.
Thanks for the quick reply Aimless - I wouldn't say she's necessarily having hard time shedding, that's only other thing I can think of that's caused it (if it's not a mating wound) - I took the photo mid shed less than an hour ago and I've just taken a look at her now and her body looks completely clear of the shed - including around the wound area.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Since this same thing apparently has happened once before, I'd remove the female at least until the wound heals. That's really best for the three no matter why the injury happened.
Bullying from either the second female or the male is always a possibility. It never pays to wait for a third wound.
[MENTION=40763]Tamara[/MENTION] is quite experienced with Phelsuma too.
Bullying from either the second female or the male is always a possibility. It never pays to wait for a third wound.
[MENTION=40763]Tamara[/MENTION] is quite experienced with Phelsuma too.
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Tamara
New member
My bett is on a fight or mating wound as well, i also agree it's best to keep her seperated until it's healed well enough.
Also keep in mind that females are usually very agressive towards each other.
With Phelsuma in most cases it's just best to keep them single or in pairs, not groups.
Also keep in mind that females are usually very agressive towards each other.
With Phelsuma in most cases it's just best to keep them single or in pairs, not groups.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Thanks Tamara and Elizabeth, there's slightly bad news in that I left her in the tank for another day as she started showing laying behaviour and was trying to lay eggs; the bad news is that whilst she was balanced on her tail in a plant the other female attacked her so she does now have another small wound unfortunately (and I now have a pretty good idea who the culprit is!). I've sought medical advice and been told that neither wound has actually broken the skin and drawn blood so she should heal in a couple of weeks.
Fortunately (and also sadly) the store that I bought her from is closing down its reptile section as it can't compete with the other stores around so they're selling everything off cheap, the upshot is I got an Exo Terra 45x45x60 with light domes, decoration etc for a crazily cheap price. Tank isn't quite completely finished yet - she only has 1 horizontal branch and she needs a couple more plants, I'll sort that in the next few days but under the circumstances its is a lot better than her still being in with the other 2 (I would also have preferred a slightly larger tank)
Only downside is that I now have a madagascan gecko, 3 juvenile williamsi and a 500 litre Discus tank in my home office so when I'm working from home I'll probably never get any work done as there's too many cool distractions!
Quick question I think probably for you Tamara - of the 3 P grandis that I have I would say she's by far the prettiest - most vibrant green and a lot more red on her so I am still keen to breed her once she's healed and settled down in a few months time. How am I best to go about this - I definitely don't want to put her back into the other tank, could I move the male in with her temporarily and then move him out again?
Thanks again for the advice
Nathan
PS - I've learned my lesson, I'm also watching another tank on eBay that's going for a very reasonable price - another complete setup that I can store in the garage in case I ever have any problems with the other 2!
Fortunately (and also sadly) the store that I bought her from is closing down its reptile section as it can't compete with the other stores around so they're selling everything off cheap, the upshot is I got an Exo Terra 45x45x60 with light domes, decoration etc for a crazily cheap price. Tank isn't quite completely finished yet - she only has 1 horizontal branch and she needs a couple more plants, I'll sort that in the next few days but under the circumstances its is a lot better than her still being in with the other 2 (I would also have preferred a slightly larger tank)
Only downside is that I now have a madagascan gecko, 3 juvenile williamsi and a 500 litre Discus tank in my home office so when I'm working from home I'll probably never get any work done as there's too many cool distractions!
Quick question I think probably for you Tamara - of the 3 P grandis that I have I would say she's by far the prettiest - most vibrant green and a lot more red on her so I am still keen to breed her once she's healed and settled down in a few months time. How am I best to go about this - I definitely don't want to put her back into the other tank, could I move the male in with her temporarily and then move him out again?
Thanks again for the advice
Nathan
PS - I've learned my lesson, I'm also watching another tank on eBay that's going for a very reasonable price - another complete setup that I can store in the garage in case I ever have any problems with the other 2!
Thanks Tamara - she's actually bigger than the male, do I need to be worried about that at all?
I actually think she's already happier - the tank she's in is the tank she was in in the store for several months. When I bought her a few months back they knew they were moth balling the reptile section so they just stuck it in a corner. I've completely disinfected it apart from the wood and it seems almost as if she's recognised it (may be me imagining things though)
I actually think she's already happier - the tank she's in is the tank she was in in the store for several months. When I bought her a few months back they knew they were moth balling the reptile section so they just stuck it in a corner. I've completely disinfected it apart from the wood and it seems almost as if she's recognised it (may be me imagining things though)
Aimless
Super Moderator
hmmm, I'm not too sure about the person who told you "neither wound broke the skin". those pictures of the fresh wound quite clearly show muscle tissue below the dermis. it looks clean, but I would be certain to keep a close eye on it for any sign of infection :/
I'm glad you were able to separate her before it got worse.
I'm glad you were able to separate her before it got worse.
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Nice that she's alone now, Nathan. My fingers are crossed that she heals well.
Good luck with all those exciting distractions in your home office! ;-)
Good luck with all those exciting distractions in your home office! ;-)