Enigma Syndrome question.

[JosefMistal]

I recently bought a leopard gocko from a pet store because it was acting weird. I believe it to be a Mack Super Snow Enigma het tremper. Now he acts like he cannot see, ie. walks in circular patterns, bumps into things stops then licks them. He is quite plump 35.1 grams at about 4.5" long, but i never see him eat. Now the store told me he was blind. What does this sound like? And is enigma syndrome contagious to other leo's? Wanted to breed him to my other ones but unsure with these symptoms. Im new to geckos, Snakes for over 20 years, leos about 3 months lol.

 

[Dog Shrink]

Enigma syndrom is a genetic disorder and WILL/could be passed along with breeding. If you really want to get into breeding leos you really need to spend at least a good 6 monthson researchng genetics and morphology to see how it all clicks together. It's quite fascinating.

As far as the leo being blind... I think you'd notice something with the eyes first like clouding or somethign else just not looking "right"... I think it's all part of the enigma syndrom... everything else you described with the circling, and bumping into things are all things I've seen mentioned relating to the syndrom, plus they will be more exaggerated during times of stress such as a new move. It is generally stated that if you have an enigma leo and it isn't activelty showing signs of syndrom that it would be ok to breeed but since yours is obviously showing signs of syndrom I wouldn't do it.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

You are describing Enigma's problems, and breeding more Enigmas can get you more of the same. So think hard on it before you breed it please. It's not contagious as in your other leopard geckos won't catch the symptoms like catching parasites & disease. But if you breed it, its genes can be carried down to offsprings that are Enigmas.

Also being blind or can't see well enough to eat is one of the worse symptoms, and many breeders cull them early so they wouldn't have to suffer through life like this. I wouldn't recommend breeding one with that harsh of symptoms.

Personally for me, I don't get why breeders are still breeding them other than the fact that people who don't know much about Enigmas are still buying them. But I'm not going to touch that debate with a 10 foot pole. It's one thing to get a random deformities or weaklings that you have to cull, it's quite another to know there are well known neurological disorders with Enigmas but yet people still purchase them and want to breed them. Just a personal opinion, good luck with your geckos

 

[Wowoklol]

Enigma syndrome is genetic. Its as contagious as blue eyes. You want to do some more research to determine if breeding these morphs is something you really want to do.

You are describing Enigma's problems, and breeding more Enigmas can get you more of the same. So think hard on it before you breed it please. It's not contagious as in your other leopard geckos won't catch the symptoms like catching parasites & disease. But if you breed it, its genes can be carried down to offsprings that are Enigmas.

Also being blind or can't see well enough to eat is one of the worse symptoms, and many breeders cull them early so they wouldn't have to suffer through life like this. I wouldn't recommend breeding one with that harsh of symptoms.

Personally for me, I don't get why breeders are still breeding them other than the fact that people who don't know much about Enigmas are still buying them. But I'm not going to touch that debate with a 10 foot pole. It's one thing to get a random deformities or weaklings that you have to cull, it's quite another to know there are well known neurological disorders with Enigmas but yet people still purchase them and want to breed them. Just a personal opinion, good luck with your geckos

*Not all express issues. Some breeders are line breeding hoping to reduce or eradicate the unwanted traits. Its a pretty cool morph outside of those negative effects.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

*Not all express issues. Some breeders are line breeding hoping to reduce or eradicate the unwanted traits. Its a pretty cool morph outside of those negative effects.

Yes I understand Enigmas are color enhancers, they make already cool looking geckos that much cooler looking. While "some" breeders are attempting to weed out unwanted traits, I don't believe majority of the breeders are doing it with that in mind. It's about money, high colored & unusual looking geckos sell. Look at OP, obviously didn't understand Enigma syndrome before purchasing a gecko knowing he's blind. But yet purchased him with breeding in mind.

And as far as I know, all Enigmas express the syndrome in one form or another. Some are just lesser than others. So I think it's false to say "not all express issues". So far there are no symptom free Enigmas or else we would've heard of them by now, and that breeder's line would sell for over $1,000.

Anyways I had stated I won't touch that debate with a 10 foot pole, so we'll just agree to disagree

 

[JosefMistal]

ok, thx guys. I was more concerned with the others getting it like a bug. I do not plan on breeding him. But hes a nice guy so ill just let him calm. I dont plan on puting any boys for awhile. And if anyne has any places i can research the genes on these it would help.

 

[Dog Shrink]

There are a BUNCH of threads on this forum regarding enigma syndrom... all you have to do is a forum search... use the search bar at the top of teh page and enter ENIGMA

 

[Wild West Reptile]

.

And as far as I know, all Enigmas express the syndrome in one form or another. Some are just lesser than others. So I think it's false to say "not all express issues". So far there are no symptom free Enigmas or else we would've heard of them by now, and that breeder's line would sell for over $1,000.

First off, I do not keep enigma's nor ever will because of the chances of what was described in this post.
Secondly though, I know a few breeders who do have enigma's who exhibit NO issues whatsoever. I'm not saying all of their enigma's don't, but they have quite a few that are totally symptom free. There are also several other breeders who are selling enigma's who they state are "showing NO signs of syndrome whatsoever". So unless they are lying, there truly are enigma's out there who don't show the syndrome.
But like I stated before, I have never owned, nor ever plan to own an enigma. I think that if you were to call around and talk to top notch breeders, you would find several that truly don't have the issues. I still wouldn't breed them though, as the syndrome could pop up in the next generation.
Just my worthless .02

 

[NinjaDuo]

First off, I do not keep enigma's nor ever will because of the chances of what was described in this post.
Secondly though, I know a few breeders who do have enigma's who exhibit NO issues whatsoever. I'm not saying all of their enigma's don't, but they have quite a few that are totally symptom free. There are also several other breeders who are selling enigma's who they state are "showing NO signs of syndrome whatsoever". So unless they are lying, there truly are enigma's out there who don't show the syndrome.
But like I stated before, I have never owned, nor ever plan to own an enigma. I think that if you were to call around and talk to top notch breeders, you would find several that truly don't have the issues. I still wouldn't breed them though, as the syndrome could pop up in the next generation.
Just my worthless .02

I have quite a few enigmas, and IMO they are so much friendlier! The way I look at it is that they are being fed by me so they no longer really need to hunt, and they are safe and away from predators. So why not keep them? I've never understood why a lot of people don't want enigmas.... Maybe it's because they had bad experiences, but like I said they're great! All mine are good eaters, and mine vary from what was described here on this thread to completely normal (vision, aiming, sight)

 

[lillith]

In my experience, you can have an asymptomatic enigma, but I always assume that the syndrome is there in a latent state, that improper husbandry or stress can evoke dormant symptoms. There are differences in the severity of symptoms on a spectrum. I personally strive to breed asymptomatic enigmas only, hopefully to strengthen the line I have.