Sexing leopard geckos..

[Jace]

Very neat pictures-I really like Seattles' terriarium. Mine right now is kind of boring. I bought them a cave like hideout where you can look in and observe them without disturbing their sleep (it attaches to the side of the tank), and a specific mealworm dish so the little buggers can't get out and I want to find a more naturalistic moist hide for them-a Cool Whip container just doesn't cut it for me, though I doubt if they really care. I would like to get them some logs to climb and maybe some plants.

Do you use an undertank heater? I've heard good and bad things about them, so right now I am just sticking with my heat bulb. They have stayed in their cave all day and only come out at night when I drop the temp to eat. And boy do they eat!!

Thanks for all the advice and sharing your pictures. I can't wait for mine to get as big and healthy like yours. Seattle has amazing eyes!

[SDahmer]

Jace, I'm sure your Afton is a blizzard. Its definitley not a leucistic or patternless. As for it not being completely white, blizzards aren't. The leos you see that are almost paper white are blazzing blizzards and diablo blancos. You can actually sex them even at birth. The method used to do this requires a strong single led flashlight. What you do is place the gecko in a clear container and aim the light down at the cloaca area from above. If it is a male, you will see two small veins on either side of the vent (the blood supply to the hemipenes). Females obviously lack these. As for heating pads, I think the general concensus is that they're better to use than heat bulbs, I use heating pads for my leo & my african fat-tail and they work great. And finally, yes, geckos can become obese, but I've never seen it happen when they're fed crickets though since it provides them with some excersice as they chase them down.

[Jace]

Jace, I'm sure your Afton is a blizzard. Its definitley not a leucistic or patternless. As for it not being completely white, blizzards aren't. The leos you see that are almost paper white are blazzing blizzards and diablo blancos. You can actually sex them even at birth. The method used to do this requires a strong single led flashlight. What you do is place the gecko in a clear container and aim the light down at the cloaca area from above. If it is a male, you will see two small veins on either side of the vent (the blood supply to the hemipenes). Females obviously lack these. As for heating pads, I think the general concensus is that they're better to use than heat bulbs, I use heating pads for my leo & my african fat-tail and they work great. And finally, yes, geckos can become obese, but I've never seen it happen when they're fed crickets though since it provides them with some excersice as they chase them down.

Thanks very much!! I've been having a heck of a time with the heat bulbs, though I finally seem to have found one that is keeping the temperature in the correct range. However, I will be using a heating pad I think, just because I know they need high temps to digest and I have already had a problem with one vomiting. I will try and sex them tonight using your suggestion. Thank you!!

[SDahmer]

You're most welcome. Leos seem to prefer belly heat, which pads provide, as appossed to bulbs. Pads use less wattage as well, so that's always a plus. Another thing about light bulbs is they burn out quite frequently, so in a sense the heat pad would kinda pay for itself. As for the regurgitation, it could be a couple different things like too large prey, low temp, and pigging out. As long as it doesn't happen frequently, I wouldn't worry too much.

[Kurt]

Regurgitation can also be caused by a high load of gastrointestinal parasites.

[Jace]

Regurgitation can also be caused by a high load of gastrointestinal parasites.

Gross, but I will keep that in mind. Ever since I managed to raise the temperature, there has been no more vomit. I was kind of wondering about the over-eating too, as these two will catch and swallow several crickets (2 week to 3 week size) in a matter of seconds and then continue to hunt. Fascinating to watch, but I wasn't expecting to go through so many crickets in just a few days!! I didn't have a chance to try and sex them last night but I will try tonight. Fingers crossed.

[Ebony]

Hi Jace, Good luck with the sexing, are you wanting to breed your Geckos?

[Kurt]

Gross, but I will keep that in mind. Ever since I managed to raise the temperature, there has been no more vomit. I was kind of wondering about the over-eating too, as these two will catch and swallow several crickets (2 week to 3 week size) in a matter of seconds and then continue to hunt.

I think based on what you just said it was a temperture problem.