| A Leopard Gecko is a unique and beautiful lizard. | | | | located at the bottom will separate from each other. |
| When they are born their skin already appears yellow | | | | This tail will then snap off and the blood vessels |
| with bands of black. As they age these bands turn | | | | immediately close off with only minimal loss of blood |
| into black spots. It is this characteristic that has | | | | or even none. |
| earned them the name: leopard gecko. In addition to | | | | In the event that the tail detaches, in the enclosure, |
| black spots many of them often have darker tails. | | | | immediately separate it from the other geckos. Place |
| This is not another kind of Leopard gecko. This is | | | | it in an enclosure with paper towel flooring as the |
| merely an indication that it has previously lost its tail | | | | substrate. Using sand or similar abrasive substrates |
| and it has since regrown. They are known for | | | | might irritate the tail stub and cause an infection. Ask |
| dropping their tails. | | | | your veterinarian, what antibacterial ointment is |
| A Geckos' tail serves several purposes, firstly it is a | | | | recommended to treat the wound and how often to |
| place for storing fat and this fat can be accessed by | | | | apply it. The tail should grow back in four to six |
| their body during months of famine and drought. It is | | | | weeks. |
| also utilized as a part of their defense when a | | | | The tail is a place where fat is stored. It is important |
| predator poses a threat. If a predator holds on to its | | | | that the leopard gecko eats a healthy diet while its |
| tail then a leopard gecko most likely will detach itself | | | | tail is regrowing to help replenish the fat stores it has |
| from it instinctively. I can also detach while the | | | | lost. The tail that regrows will look different than the |
| would-be predator is at a distance. At that time, the | | | | one that was there before. The new tail might be |
| detached tail functions as a distraction for the | | | | shorter or fatter or have different banding than the |
| approaching predator because it wriggles about and | | | | previous one. |
| predators are often left preoccupied with its wriggling | | | | Tail loss if a normal part of the leopard gecko life |
| while the gecko runs away to a safe place. | | | | cycle. It is a stressful time for the leopard gecko |
| A gecko can detach itself from its tail for numerous | | | | because they have lost a valuable source of fat and |
| reasons. For example, as stated, if a predator latches | | | | they have lost a part of their natural defense |
| on to its tail then the gecko detaches itself from it. If | | | | system. Taking steps to minimize the possibility of |
| its tail is held on to or bitten by another leopard | | | | them losing their tail can help improve their well being. |
| gecko, then it will drop it. | | | | Simple precautions such as keeping their enclosure |
| They also detach themselves from their tail when | | | | clean to minimize possible illness, not allowing |
| they experience stress, when they are ill or when | | | | household pets near their enclosure and not handling |
| they feel threatened. | | | | them by their tail can help prevent tail loss. |
| When a gecko loses its tail, the connective tissue | | | | |