Breeding Enigmas

[Mich]

Breeding Enigmas seems to be a controversial topic, it would be interesting to see what peoples opinions are. Please do not make any negative comments, just select your opinion. Thanks

 

[Mich]

This poll does not show who specifically voted for what, its all anonymous.

 

[clemsonguy1125]

Personally, I would not own or breed them. I have nothing against people who breed them or keep them. They can be great looking geckos and healthy as can be, but they can have enigma syndrome. Personally, thats just not a can of worms I want to open.

 

[smsararas2]

I would own one for sure but I am not sure if I could breed them because I would worry about the results that I may have to deal with. Have not had to ever have to cull but I couldn't imagine how hard it could be. BUT.....if you do breed them, I would grab one off you.

 

[Mich]

Haven't decided if I'm going to breed her or not, I'm leaning towards not. I have had to cull hatchlings, not a joyful task ...

 

[acpart]

I bought one nearly 2 years ago for breeding purposes. I did breed her last season but she didn't lay any eggs and the stress of breeding seemed to worsen her nearly non-existent enigma symptoms. I've decided to "retire" her from breeding and not to breed any more enigmas because I don't want to take the risk of having a bunch of hatchlings that I don't feel comfortable selling if they demonstrate significant symptoms. My only enigma is in a large tank with 2 other retired breeders now. She's slightly clumsy, but is the gecko that's constantly climbing all over the tank furniture and utilizing the whole tank.

ALiza

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I bought a beautiful SS female to study and possibly breed. As it turned out, she has all the symptoms. Named her Lena, her head always leans when she looks at you. Loves attention, without a doubt. Doesn't know a stranger, anyone can hold her. Lena enjoys outings to visit my grandson, herp club meetings, and Repticon shows. It means she gets to make new friends that talk silly to her. She never refuses her superworm each night, and has been known to put on quite a show tackling it. If she were to be bred, IDK how it would affect her, nor do I intend to find out. My grandson, Kyle, would like to have a lizard (it's on his list), so when his mom says okay they'll take Lena. I won't sell her or adopt her out because she is so beautiful and sweet, I'm afraid someone would try to breed her anyway. Enigmas is not a project I have any desire to take on, for me it's too risky.

 

[Mich]

I bought a beautiful SS female to study and possibly breed. As it turned out, she has all the symptoms. Named her Lena, her head always leans when she looks at you. Loves attention, without a doubt. Doesn't know a stranger, anyone can hold her. Lena enjoys outings to visit my grandson, herp club meetings, and Repticon shows. It means she gets to make new friends that talk silly to her. She never refuses her superworm each night, and has been known to put on quite a show tackling it. If she were to be bred, IDK how it would affect her, nor do I intend to find out. My grandson, Kyle, would like to have a lizard (it's on his list), so when his mom says okay they'll take Lena. I won't sell her or adopt her out because she is so beautiful and sweet, I'm afraid someone would try to breed her anyway. Enigmas is not a project I have any desire to take on, for me it's too risky.

My kids name all of my gecjos but my enigma I nickname twitch because from time to time her head ever so slighlty twitches back and forth like she's had a pot of coffee She is also a beautiful snow morph and I did originally plan on breeding her to a different SS. If she is focused on a worm or something she is completely normal, it's when she is just sitting there not focused on anything partiular that she twitches her head.

 

[vankirksleos]

I personally have two enigmas and have watched them extensively my male red eyed enigma is perfect he seems to be a little smaller than my other males but he eats the same amount I don't know if this is from him being enigma or not but he has bred for me and produced offspring with no syndrome at all my female is the same no syndrome at all maybe I got lucky and till I get offspring that have problems I will continue to breed them I have made the decision not to breed them together seems two copies almost always have the syndrome

 

[Psychotic4mb3r]

I use to breed enigmas.. Well just my one male. And ive chose not to anymore.. Enigmas are beautiful but ive chosen to try to stay from the enigma gene. Some dont hardly have the syndrome, but then there are too many others who are really bad about it.. Just for that reason that some could be really bad, ive chosen not to do that gene anymore :/..

 

[fuzzylogix]

I would own one for sure but I am not sure if I could breed them because I would worry about the results that I may have to deal with. Have not had to ever have to cull but I couldn't imagine how hard it could be. BUT.....if you do breed them, I would grab one off you.

if you plan on breeding any reptile at all, please be prepared to cull. many things can go wrong as hatchlings, juveniles, even adults that would require an animal to be humanely euthanized so please be prepared. it doesn't just happen with enigmas.

as far as breeding enigmas i am working on several different projects as we speak. i have some enigmas that show little or no signs of symptoms and i have some that show extreme signs. the one thing about all of my enigmas is that they can eat just fine on their own. even the really bad ones will eventually hit a worm, lol. i however only breed the enigmas that are showing the least amount of symptoms. the geckos that show extreme signs are pets only. i'm not sure if any scientific studies have been done, but i have a theory that you can "line breed" out the negative traits of enigmas and strenghen the positive traits. it of course is a work in progress and will take some time to get any good results. i personally love my enigmas and their personalities.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Enigma Thoughts of Breeding

I was given a tang enigma female....
No signs of a "s-l-o-w Walking Jones or a
S-L-O-W Talking Jones.Not a Bobble Head.
Doesn't Star gaze. or lay on her back in the
palm of your hand.
But when held [Very calm] you feel her motor on idle.

Had thoughts of breeding her 2010.
(would have been first year.)

Backed out from"why risk it" on my mind.
As a hobbyist I had dealt with temperature
spikes causing problems with new born.
I had tried to weed out troubles to minimize
dealing with these sad depressing moments
and it seemed I made the decision *no Enigmas.
Then came a MS Enigma Male that my buddy got.
He is so big, so pretty,...I went back to visioning
What he could Father for me.............
But then all about to select some
females for him.....
I came upon Forum Members
(of which I respected their opinions)
with comments that weighed on my decision.
After more time trying to commit to myself a yes or no,
I came upon persons with a number of enigmas for sale.
Many had the Syndrum problems disclosed.It hurt
to think that we know there is a strong chance
to see these problems happen.
That was all it took....
My mind is now made up.
NO Enigma Breeding For Me.
"Why Risk It"
Take care. HJ



​

 

[M_surinamensis]

http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?p=571582#post571582

Different thread where the question got asked. Just some thoughts.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

My Lena is the sweetest, most beautiful SS enigma a person cold hope for. It makes me sad to think that so many of her babies would likely have to be culled. Lena has all the classic symptoms. If she were bred, would she chew off her tail in confusion trying to lay eggs? Maybe. Another very sad thought. I totally agree with you HJ, why risk it? I would rather enjoy her uniqueness, share her goofy joy with others, and have an adorable pet, than to go thru the grief of culling a number of babes on a regular basis. Maybe one day it would be a minimal risk, but at this time it's still a great risk and I'm not willing to take it.

 

[im faster]

I Think if mine had any signs of the disorder i wouldnt breed

 

[roger]

For me to raise and breed enigmas IMO would be wrong.I cannot understand why someone would intentionally breed an animal with such defects.It also doesnt make sense to breed and possibly have to cull several babies.I just dont get it.I know what the fascination is-Its the vibrant and wacky genes that makes it so unpredictable.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

if you plan on breeding any reptile at all, please be prepared to cull.

I have sold all but two of my Enigmas as pet only. The two I still have exhibit no symptoms and have other genetic traits I will breed for. I have, and will continue to, cull any Enigma offspring that exhibit symptoms. Of course, this does not mean they will not eventually have problems and I have a verbal and written disclaimer for all that I decide to sell.

I love my Enigmas... they are so beautiful and good natured. I feel breeding and keeping Enigmas is a personal choice. The only thing unethical about working with them is not disclosing the potential issues they may have.

 

[Desdemona]

I think it would be interesting to breed to see if you could cull out the symptoms... breed solely for the defect and not as much for the color. Though I suppose people tend to breed Geckos for their color. I thought no when I first read about the Enigma gene, but then I was given one for free from a breeder who changed his mind on one he had.. and she is so much more chill than my other two. I would love to breed her for that personality. However, she is not free either, she is a very mild case, but not free.

I can't plan long term breeding projects, but I would be tempted to do so if I could. Though I am assuming that no one has tackled that 100%.. ie ignoring color and only looking for symptoms. I use to be into the rat world and there has been breed for longevity and to get rid of Myco with some breeders.. and some have made some strides.

Though of course.. different animal.

 

[sunshinegeckos]

two of my geckos came from the same reptile shop and I know the male they came from is an enigma. I am new to leopard geckos and am unaware of problems associated with enigmas. What should I look for?

 

[fuzzylogix]

I have sold all but two of my Enigmas as pet only. The two I still have exhibit no symptoms and have other genetic traits I will breed for. I have, and will continue to, cull any Enigma offspring that exhibit symptoms. Of course, this does not mean they will not eventually have problems and I have a verbal and written disclaimer for all that I decide to sell.

I love my Enigmas... they are so beautiful and good natured. I feel breeding and keeping Enigmas is a personal choice. The only thing unethical about working with them is not disclosing the potential issues they may have.

+1