| Leopard geckos are lucky in that there are relatively | | | | tank (if you currently house your leopard gecko with |
| few health issues which tend to affect them. | | | | others). Make sure that the tank is kept very warm; |
| However, tail loss is one of these issues. Dropping | | | | in fact, any time your gecko is sick you should |
| their tail is a defense mechanism which enables | | | | increase the temperature of their tank. They should |
| leopard geckos to escape from predators, though it | | | | have plenty of fresh water and food available while |
| can cause some problems. | | | | they heal as well. |
| A gecko will grow a new tail if they lose theirs, | | | | Shedding is another thing which can pose a health |
| though the tail which they grow back won't usually | | | | hazard to your leopard gecko. Some of these animals |
| look much like the tail they have lost; it tends to be a | | | | have difficulty shedding for a variety of reasons. It |
| different shape and is often white rather than its | | | | may be too cool inside the tank, the humidity level |
| original color. Of course, a gecko doesn't worry too | | | | may be too low, they may have a vitamin deficiency |
| much about its looks, though you might prefer the | | | | (usually it's more vitamin A that they need) or even |
| way your pet looks with their original tail! | | | | be infested with parasites. This is rare, but a leopard |
| However, the way your pet leopard gecko's new tail | | | | gecko with parasites won't shed. You can check for |
| looks isn't the real problem. The problem is that losing | | | | parasites by looking carefully at their skin, especially |
| their tail can make your pet less healthy - a gecko | | | | between their toes. |
| which has lost their tail will be stressed and | | | | If your leopard gecko is unable to shed for too long |
| weakened and more susceptible to disease. | | | | they can become sick. Rather than letting things get |
| If your pet should lose their tail, they'll need special | | | | to this point, make sure to properly care for your |
| care to keep them in good health and prevent | | | | pet to prevent these problems from occurring in the |
| infection from setting in as their tail grows back. You | | | | first place. |
| may want to keep the injured gecko in a different | | | | |