Whelen Lights

Fox Body Marker

Learn about about Leopard Geckos & Albino Leopard Geckos

The Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is a nocturnal ground-dwelling gecko naturally found in the deserts of Southern Central Asia, from the southern parts of Afghanistan, throughout Pakistan, to the northwestern parts of India. Unlike most geckos, Leopard geckos possess eyelids. It has become a well-established and popular pet in captivity.

Taxonomy

Leopard geckos were first described as a species by British Zoologist Edward Blyth in 1854 as Eublepharis macularis.[1] The generic name Eublepharis is a combination of the Greek words Eu (true), and blephar (eyelid), as having eyelids is what distinguishes members of this subfamily from other geckos. The specific name, macularius, derives from the Latin word macula meaning "spot" or "blemish", referring to the animal's natural spotted markings.

Leopard geckos
are related to many different geckos including the African Fat-Tailed Gecko. There are five subspecies, including the nominative species: Eublepharis macularius macularius,[1] E. m. fasciolatus (Günther 1864),[2] E. m. montanus (Börner 1976),[3] and E. m. smithi (Börner 1981).[3]

Distribution

The native habitat of the leopard gecko is the rocky, dry grassland and desert regions of south-Asian Afghanistan, Pakistan, north-west India, and parts of Iran. Winter temperatures in these areas can be quite low, below 10º Celsius, forcing the animals underground into semi-hibernation, called Brumation living on fat reserves. As nocturnal creatures, they spend the day hidden under rocks or in burrows to escape the daytime heat and emerge at dusk to feed by hunting insects. [4] These Geckos usually have a territory in the wild, and do not usually live with other animals. [5]

The native habitat of the leopard gecko is the rocky, dry grassland and desert regions of south-Asian Afghanistan, Pakistan, north-west India, and parts of Iran. Winter temperatures in these areas can be quite low, below 10º Celsius, forcing the animals underground into semi-hibernation, called Brumation living on fat reserves. As nocturnal creatures, they spend the day hidden under rocks or in burrows to escape the daytime heat and emerge at dusk to feed by hunting insects. [4] These Geckos usually have a territory in the wild, and do not usually live with other animals. [5]

Diet

These geckos are Insectivores that feed on insects, worms, and spiders. In captivity most individuals will prefer hunting food for themselves. The majority of captive Leopard geckos will also refuse dead prey. Crickets are the best food source to give them as they can hunt them in their enclosure the way they would in the wild. When food is scarce in the desert, they can rely on their ability to store excess fat in their tails. They also eat their own shed skin for protein and other nutrition. They shed their skin once a month on average as adults, but Babies will shed as much as twice a fortnight. Sufficient calcium and vitamin D3 is also very important for their diet, but how they obtain it is still unknown. It is guessed that because of the wide variety of insects they eat in the wild (Such as moths, spiders and other insects), they will receive Calcium and D3 this way. In captivity, it is near impossible to completely duplicate the diet they will have in the wild, so the most nutritious insects known to give them are offered, usually dusted with a fine Calcium powder with added D3. Also, their keen sense of smell and taste allow them to search for food. [6]

Characteristics

Leopard geckos are typically small in size. Hatchlings tend to be 6.5 to 8.4 cm in length and weighing about 3 grams while the adult geckos are about 20.5 to 27.5 cm in length and weigh about 45 to 65 grams. Those found in the wild typically have a darker, dull, and drab coloration than those kept in captivity as pets. Those in captivity generally have an assortment of skin colors and patterns. The skin of a leopard gecko is very durable, which provides protection from the rough sand and rocky terrain of their dry environment. Their dorsal side is covered with small bumps, which gives a rough texture and appearance while their ventral side is thin, transparent, and smooth. As it grows, it will shed and eat its old skin, thus revealing a brighter colored one. The process of swallowing a shed skin is called ceratophagia, which means “horn-eating.†It is a defense mechanism (by erasing its tracks) as well as a means for obtaining nutrients for growth.

Leopard geckos are ectothermic. They absorb warmth and energy during the day as they are sleeping, so they can hunt and digest food at night. In addition, they have short legs, which enable them to be quick and agile while their small nails allow them to climb twigs and rocks. Leopard geckos have openings on either side of their head as ears. A tympanic membrane covers and protects it. They use their ears to locate their prey. Healthy leopard geckos have thick, fleshy tails while a thin tail is an indication that the gecko is not healthy and may be lacking nutrition. Although, when in captivity, the tail can be fattened by the feeding of Wax Worms (The Wax Moth Larvae), but these worms are typically too fatty for the Gecko to get the nutritional value it needs. They can also be fed 'pinkys', a one day old mouse to fatten up the tail, but again, these are very low in nutritional value. Their thick tails can regenerate when lost. However, the regenerated tails appear stumpy and never has the same appearance as the original tail. [7]

Defense Mechanisms

Leopard geckos have predators, such as snakes, frogs , or foxes. Their keen sense of hearing and sight help them escape from them during the night. Along with their exceptional sight and hearing abilities, their skin helps camouflage themselves from their predators. Their sense of taste and smell also helps them with survival. The shedding of their skin also removes any scent markers left behind for potential predators to discover. When they feel threatened, startled, or scared, leopard geckos hiss to ward off predators. Also, they stay in underground holes and burrows during the daytime, not only avoid the heat, but to also avoid the risk of getting eaten. [8]

Leopard geckos also have the ability to voluntarily detach their tails if it is attacked, grabbed by the tail, bitten during copulation, or nipped by another during feeding. This is called caudual automony. Its' tail holds a fraction of its weight and when it is lost the speed of the gecko is quicker. Fractures in the tailbone allow the tail to separate easily and rapid vasoconstriction allows the gecko to have minimal blood loss. This detaching of the tail does not harm the gecko in any way. It will regenerate its tail immediately because it is needed for survival. A lost tail may cause sickness to the gecko and in some cases kill it, but this is very rare. [9]Regenerated tails often retain similar colors to the original tail [though there will most likely be a wide variance from the vibrancy and patterns of the original], however they are often smooth and lack the rigid qualities and length of a normal tail. The tail will also be shorter and often fatter than the previous tail.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism is defined as a phenotypic difference between males and females of a species. It can be commonly found in animals, such as the leopard gecko and other reptiles.[10] It exists in adult males and females, but can be difficult to determine in young geckos. The underside of a gecko truly determines the sex of the gecko. Males have pre-anal pores and hemipenal bulges while females have less and smaller pores and do not have external bulges.[11]

Males can determine the sex of other leopard geckos by smelling pheromones on their skin. Males respond to males with aggressive behavior while they demonstrate courtship behavior towards females. Towards other males, the male would raise itself up from the ground, extend his limbs, and arch his back with the swelling of the tongue in aggression. He will then make short dashes and quick, vigorous bites, which frequently lacerate the skin and sometimes severely injure his opponent. Males behave the same way towards females while they are shedding their skin. Before and after the shedding of the skin, the males still express courtship behavior towards the females. [12]

Reproduction

They are also known to have temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Research shows that more females can be produced in predominantly cool temperatures (about 26-30Ëš C) and very warm temperatures (about 34-35Ëš C). It was recorded that males can be produced at the intermediate temperatures (about 31-33Ëš C). Females born in the higher temperatures differed from those who were born in the lower temperatures hormonally and behaviorally. Those born in the warmer temperatures expressed more aggressive behavior. [13]These are known as "hot females" and are often determined to be infertile, that is unable to reproduce.

Sexual maturity occurs between eight to nine months of age. Leopard geckos will breed as single pairs or in a group consisting of one male and several females. [14] Females may need to interact with a male and assess him before she chooses him as her mate. [15] During breeding, the male will tap his tail, which tells the female he is ready to mate. He will chase her and when she is caught, he will mount on her for mating. The male will continually bite the top of her head. At this time, her tail may become detached. Both these mechanisms are normal.[16]Though a "dropped" or "detached" tail will grow back, its regenerated form may be slightly malformed and will most likely look very different from the original. Regenerated tails are often smooth and short, with a bulb-like appearance. Tail dropping is highly discouraged.

Leopard geckos will breed typically from January to August or September. Females can store sperm over the course of their breeding season, so they can produce up to 3 clutches from one or two copulations, therefore, the male is not needed for reproductive success after the first or second copulation. [17] Once the female is pregnant, she will need an abundance of calcium for health and to ensure that the eggs calcify properly. She can lay about 6 to 8 clutches, which consists of two eggs in each clutch. They will normally lay two eggs approximately 21 to 28 days after mating. After 45 to 60 days, droplets of moisture will appear on the shell and the shell will begin to shrink and partially collapse. These are indications that the eggs will hatch. Baby leopard geckos will have an “egg tooth,†a calcareous tip at the end of its snout to help break their egg shell. Their “egg tooth†will fall off within one to two days. In addition to this, their skin will shed within 24 hours of hatching. [18]

Diseases

There are several common diseases that Leopard Geckos may experience.

* Gastoenteritis or diarrhea is a disease that is caused by a bacterial infection caused by unsanitary conditions. An indication of the disease is that the leopard gecko has watery and/or bloody stool. Normally the stool is dry and well-formed with a small white portion. It is contagious and can be spread easily. Other symptoms of the disease include weight loss, a skinny tail, undigested cricket masses. If it is not treated, the gecko will stop eating, become dehydrated and scrawny, and possibly die. [19]

* Coccidia causes gastrointestinal problems when protozoan parasites infect the lining of the intestine. It is contagious and can infect other leopard geckos that are in close proximity to the infected one. If untreated, the leopard gecko will stop eating, sluggish, dehydrated, and anorexic. [20]

* Metabolic Bone Disease or MBD is a nutritional deficiency due to the lack of calcium and vitamin D3 in their diet. Calcium and vitamin D3 are critical for proper bone formation during development and for proper calcification of eggs for a pregnant female. Those with MBD will experience symptoms such as weakness, bones becoming spongy, deformities in their limbs and spine, twitching or tremors, and a lack of appetit. Recovering from this disease can be very difficult.[21]

* Anorexia in leopard geckos can be caused by stress, unsanitary conditions, nutritional diseases, or other diseases. These anorexic leopard geckos will appear thin, develop an extremely thin tail, become weak and sluggish, will stop eating, and usually die if untreated. [22]

* Dysecdysis is a condition in which a leopard gecko has problems shedding its skin due to poor nutrition, lack of humidity and moisture, and poor care. Incomplete shed skin will appear as dry patches on various areas of the body such as the head, eyes, limbs, and tail. Leopard geckos with this condition may develop eye problems, have difficulty in walking, and noticeable constricting bands of old skin around their limbs. If the condition is not treated, it could lead to infection. [23]

* Dystocia or “egg-binding†is when a pregnant female cannot expel her eggs. This could occur due to the eggs being too large to be passed through the oviduct and cloaca, nutritional factors, an ill or weak female, and other unknown problems. With this condition, the female will usually stop eating and become weak and lethargic. [24]

* Stomatitis or Mouthrot is when a leopard gecko has swelling around its mouth area with pus or a cheesy-like substance. [25]

* Pneumonia is a severe respiratory tract infection caused by bacteria in the lungs. This can occur to leopard geckos if their environment is too cool in temperature and humid thus causing their immune system to become compromised. Those with pneumonia will show mucus bubbles in their nostril area and have difficulty in breathing. The problem usually gets resolved when the temperature rises to about 82°-85° F for them. [26]

* Sand Impactions and prolapse can occasionally occur. This can be caused if a leopard gecko ingests sand or other substrates they live on. [27]

* Cryptosporidiosis, also known as 'crypto', is a highly infectious disease that is often fatal to leopard geckos if it is not detected and treated in its early stages. Although a definitive diagnosis can be difficult to make, the disease can be recognized by regurgitated food in the enclosure, liquid feces, and consequently a very thin body and tail (also called "pencil tail"). One should never buy a gecko displaying these symptoms. Even if the symptoms are not caused by crypto there is probably another problem with the gecko's health. Although the success rate is still low there are experimental treatments for crypto that can be successful, but involve a painstaking process. Because of this and the difficulty to diagnose the disease, a lot of suspected infected
pet leopard geckos
get humanely euthanized. [28]

About the Author

For more information about leopard geckos and various species of them including the albino leopard gecko checkout our website at
http://www.leopardgeckosresource.com
be sure to signup for our Free E-mail minicourse.

Always Sunny Paddy's Pub Koozie $4.95 But of course you can buy an Always Sunny Paddy's Pub Koozie! It's just natural. From the Pub you love from the grimiest corners to the strongest drinks. The Always Sunny Paddy's Pub Koozie keeps beer cold and your body, refreshingly drunk.

Always Sunny Two-Tone Cast Mug $14.95 Enjoy every morning with the cast of It's Always Sunny with this Always Sunny Two-Tone Cast Mug. Filled to the brim with 11 oz. of your hot drink-of-choice, our Always Sunny Two-Tone Cast Mug will warm your body and your heart. CA Proposition 65

Champion Fleece Full Zip Hooded Sweatshirt $36 The Champion Fleece Full Zip Hooded Sweatshirt is the same gear Jax chooses when its time to get down to the nitty gritty. Its constructed of 1x1 rib with spandex, has a two-ply hood, double-needle stitching and a front pouch pocket with bartacks for durability. The fabric wicks moisture away from the body to control moisture buildup. Get Jaxs look easily with the Champion Fleece Full Zip Hooded Sweatshirt.

Champion Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt $24 The Champion Hooded Sweatshirt is what Jax wears on cooler days. Its constructed of 1x1 rib with spandex, has a two-ply hood, double-needle stitching and a front pouch pocket with bartacks for durability. The fabric wicks moisture away from the body to control moisture buildup. Get Jaxs look easily with the Champion Hooded Sweatshirt.

Foxy Fox Belly Ring $8.99 Foxy Fox Belly Ring Display your foxy side with this adorable fox belly ring designed with high quality grade surgical steel. Specifications: 14 Gauge (1.6mm), 7/16" (11mm), 316L Surgical Grade Stainless Steel, 5mm Ball, Lead and Nickel Free Stainless Steel Charm Stainless Steel Belly Ring Body Jewelry

Bomex Body Kits - Side Marker Cover [91-95 Toyota Mr2] $104.5 Bomex Body Kits - Side Marker Cover

Custom Wood FOX TERRIER Dog Ornament $9.99 Custom Wood FOX TERRIER Dog Ornament Holiday Dog Oranment. Personalize this Ornament with your pet's name. Personalized Dog Ornaments. Masterfully created wood cut ornaments to cherish your pet during the holidays. A perfect gift for any dog lover. Holiday Dog Gift Idea. Each ornament can be personalized with up to 15 characters. Please Enter Text or Wording in space provided above. Personalized Dog Ornament. Engravalbe Gifts

Fox $38.99 Fox

The Fox $10.49 The Fox

JENNIFERS BODY BY FOX,MEGAN (DVD) $25.48 When a teenage girl is possessed by a demon and begins killing her male classmates, her best friend decides that she must find a way to stop her. Artist: FOX,MEGAN Genre: Horror Rating: R Release Date: 22FEB2011

Red Fox, Head on Full-Body Portrait, Lancashire, UK $24.99 Elliott Neep Red Fox, Head on Full-Body Portrait, Lancashire, UK - Photographic Print

A Seated Naked Girl Wraps a Fox Fur around Her Body $39.99 A Seated Naked Girl Wraps a Fox Fur around Her Body - Giclee Print

Rescue Me: The Complete Fifth Season DVD $26.99 The complete 22 episodes of the 5th Season of the Emmy Winning Series, Rescue Me. Including All-Star Guests Michael J. Fox, Tatum O'Neal, Maura Tierney, Patty D'Arabanville, and Charles Durning.

Sons of Anarchy Chucky's Chili T-Shirt $26.95 This Sons of Anarchy Chucky's Chili T-Shirt was actually requested by Kurt Sutter on Twitter, "FOX MARKETING, "CHUCKY'S CHILI, 'A HEAD ABOVE THE REST.' TSHIRT PLEASE!" The Sons of Anarchy Chucky's Chili T-Shirt is a direct answer to that call. Someone tweet Kurt Sutter and let him know!

The Shield: The Complete First Season DVD $42.99 Product Details: Actors: Michael Chiklis, Walton Goggins Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC Language: English Subtitles: English, Spanish Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.) Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Number of discs: 4 Rating NR Studio: 20th Century Fox DVD Release Date: January 7, 2003 Run Time: 617 minutes

The Shield: The Complete Second Season DVD $42.99 Product Details: Actors: Michael Chiklis, Walton Goggins Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC Language: English Subtitles: English, Spanish Region: Region 1 Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Number of discs: 4 Rating NR Studio: 20th Century Fox DVD Release Date: January 6, 2004 Run Time: 608 minutes

The Shield: The Complete Third Season DVD $26.95 Product Details: Actors: Michael Chiklis, Cch Pounder Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC Language: English Subtitles: English, Spanish Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Number of discs: 4 Rating NR Studio: 20th Century Fox DVD Release Date: February 22, 2005 Run Time: 700 minutes

The Shield: The Complete Fourth Season DVD $26.95 Product Details: Actors: Shield Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC Language: English Subtitles: English, Spanish Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.) Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Number of discs: 4 Rating NR Studio: 20th Century Fox DVD Release Date: December 26, 2005 Run Time: 623 minutes

The Shield: The Complete Fifth Season DVD $42.99 Product Details: Actors: Michael Chiklis Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC Language: English Subtitles: English, Spanish Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.) Number of discs: 4 Rating NR Studio: 20th Century Fox DVD Release Date: March 27, 2007 Run Time: 546 minutes

Tumor Marker $93.99 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles A tumor marker is a substance found in the blood, urine, or body tissues that can be elevated in cancer, among other tissue types. There are many different tumor markers, each indicative of a particular disease process, and they are used in oncology to help detect the presence of cancer. An elevated level of a tumor marker can indicate cancer; however, there can also be other causes of the elevation.Tumor markers can be produced directly by the tumor or by nontumor cells as a response to the presence of a tumor. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 134 Publication Date: 2010/07/31 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.31 inches

Sons of Anarchy: The Complete First Season Blu-ray DVD $59.99 The writer of the Shield and the producer of the Sopranos bring you the most ruthless adrenaline-packed drama of 2009. With over 40 minutes of unaired scenes, the DVD takes you even deeper in the unexplored world of this outlaw Californian Motorcycle Club as its members struggle to balance family life and weapon-trafficking business. Actors: John Abendroth, Julie Ariola, Mark Boone Junior, Dayton Callie, Ashley Monique Clark Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Full Screen, Subtitled Number of Discs: 3 Run Time: 594 minutes Language: English Studio: Twentieth Century Fox DVD Release Date: 8/18/09

Cat Body, Cat Mind By Fox, Michael W. $28.24 Author: Fox, Michael W. Subtitle: Exploring Your Cats Consciousness and Total Wellbeing Publication Date: 2007/09/01 Number of Pages: 233 Binding Type: Hardcover Language: English Depth: 1.00 Width: 6.25 Height: 9.50

Always Sunny: The Complete Fourth Season DVD $39.98 Step up to the bar at Paddy's Pub and brace yourself for a shot of outrageously raunchy fun! Paddy's may be the worst bar in Philadelphia, but the gang there sure knows how to party. Whether it's Dee and Charlie's flirtation with cannibalism, Frank's glory-hole fixation, or Mac's raucous reenactment of Dennis's over-the-top sexual memoirs, nothing is sacred for these dysfunctional misfits as they hilariously destroy all possible boundaries of good taste. Pour yourself a stiff one and come join the gang at Paddy's, where happy hour is more than just a time of dayit's a way of life! Actors: Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Danny DeVito Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC Number of Discs: 3 Run Time: 383 minutes Region: Region 1(US & CA only) Language: English Studio: Twentieth Century Fox DVD Release Date: 9/15/2009

Maltese LED Marker Lights $44.99 Emgo Maltese LED Marker Lights Classic-look LED lights Single-function design in a durable plastic body Available with a chrome or black body and amber or red LED lights Sold as a pair

Blue Window Marker $2.99 Blue Window Marker is for use on clean,dry surface only. Do not use on car body,paint,wood,clothing or any other non-glass surface. To use: Shake Window Marker well and then pull off cap. Press marker sponge tip against window and squeeze gently to start flow. Allow Window Marker to dry for about 10 minutes. To remove: Sponge off with soap and warm water. Warning: Choking Hazard - small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Red Window Marker $2.99 Red Window Marker is for use on clean,dry surface only. Do not use on car body,paint,wood,clothing or any other non-glass surface. To use: Shake Window Marker well and then pull off cap. Press marker sponge tip against window and squeeze gently to start flow. Allow Window Marker to dry for about 10 minutes. To remove: Sponge off with soap and warm water. Warning: Choking Hazard - small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Orange Window Marker $2.99 Orange Window Marker is for use on clean,dry surface only. Do not use on car body,paint,wood,clothing or any other non-glass surface. To use: Shake Window Marker well and then pull off cap. Press marker sponge tip against window and squeeze gently to start flow. Allow Window Marker to dry for about 10 minutes. To remove: Sponge off with soap and warm water. Warning: Choking Hazard - small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Green Window Marker $2.99 Green Window marker should be used on a clean,dry surface only. Do not use on car body,paint,wood,clothing or any other non-glass surface. To use: Shake Window Marker well and then pull off cap. Press marker sponge tip against window and squeeze gently to start flow. Allow Window Marker to dry for about 10 minutes. To remove: Sponge off with soap and warm water. Warning: Choking Hazard - small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Purple Window Marker $2.99 This Purple Window Marker is for use on clean,dry surface only. Do not use on car body,paint,wood,clothing or any other non-glass surface. To use: Shake Window Marker well and then pull off cap. Press marker sponge tip against window and squeeze gently to start flow. Allow Window Marker to dry for about 10 minutes. To remove: Sponge off with soap and warm water. Warning: Choking Hazard - small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Black Window Marker $2.99 Use Black Window Marker on clean,dry surface only. Do not use on car body,paint,wood,clothing or any other non-glass surface. To use: Shake Window Marker well and then pull off cap. Press marker sponge tip against window and squeeze gently to start flow. Allow Window Marker to dry for about 10 minutes. To remove: Sponge off with soap and warm water. Warning: Choking Hazard - small parts. Not for children under 3 years.