I need help!!! What is this?

[Jen614]

Hello I just got my first Leo and I have no clue what it is.... I have looked all over and I have not seen one like it. Can some one please help. I'm not planing on breeding but I would really like to know what it might be. :main_huh:

 

[stringmouse]

it could be a dark patternless who will lose those spots over time. Looks pretty young.

 

[acpart]

Welcome to GF and the world of geckos (if this is your first gecko entirely).
Patternless is probably correct. You haven't seen anything like it before because the patternless hatch like that and then, as mentioned above, the pattern fades as it matures. It may be naturally dark, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's so dark because it's somewhat stressed and cold (not unusual for a new purchase). Patternless is recessive, so if you breed it to a gecko with no patternless gene, it will not look like that. If this is your first leo, take some time to see how you feel about gecko care before committing to breeding. It can be very rewarding but also requires some money, space and time.

Aliza

 

[SC Geckos]

I agree, A very dark Murphy Patternless. Make sure your temps are correct in its new home and it may lighten up over time.

 

[Jen614]

Thank you all! Yes this is my first gecko ever! It was shipped to me today and I was told its a cb hatchling. I put in in a 20g that has hot side at 85.8

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Thank you all! Yes this is my first gecko ever! It was shipped to me today and I was told its a cb hatchling. I put in in a 20g that has hot side at 85.8

Congrats on your new addition. I'd bump that up a bit though. Hot side temps should ideally be around 88-93.

~Maggot

 

[Jen614]

ok thank you. Thank you it is up to 88.6. Is it normal for it to stay in its moist hide?

 

[Ozy]

That's normal Jen. When I first brought Ozy home she made a beeline for the humid hide. Leopard geckos sleep in humid rock crevices and burrows in the wild during the day. It helps them with shedding and also helps keep them hydrated.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

ok thank you. Thank you it is up to 88.6. Is it normal for it to stay in its moist hide?

The enclosure could be a bit too dry, depending on where you live. Winter time + heating (especially if you have a light or CHE) will result in very dry conditions, which they don't necessarily particularly like. I know a few people who recommend keeping humidity about 45% at all times.

It could also be that that's the most secure-feeling hide for the gecko, depending on what it looks like in comparison to the others.

~Maggot

 

[Ozy]

Calamity.. Come on. Don't worry about the humidity in the tank Jen. That's what they have the humid hide for.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

Calamity.. Come on. Don't worry about the humidity in the tank Jen. That's what they have the humid hide for.

Come on? Just because it's not commonly thought of, that doesn't mean it's not worth considering. If that person's room is anything like mine, humidity could be down to about 25%, and even lower inside the enclosure. Just because they come from areas where the ground is dry, that doesn't mean the air is constantly 15%. I wish I could remember the link someone gave me, but this will have to do: Average Weather In March For Lahore, Pakistan - WeatherSpark Go ahead and scroll down to humidity. It's highly variable and doesn't stay at 15% all the time - rarely ever even hits that. One person I know who actively says they should have about 40% humidity tried it herself and found that the geckos preferred when it was in about that range. My gecko has been spending a ton of time in her humid hide, but I've been raising the humidity in the enclosure at least somewhat, and she's now coming out again.

~Maggot

 

[acpart]

There's a range of opinion about how to deal with the need for temp/humidity regulation and micro climates. Some people feel it's best to provide a variety of micro climates and let the gecko move around to the spot that feels the best at a given time. Some people prefer to provide an overall acceptable climate so the gecko could presumably utilize most of the tank at any time. Of course it's not either/or - there's a range of the degree to which people want to adjust heat and humidity. Another example is ambient temperature. Some people prefer to keep the ambient temp in their reptile rooms (or in the area of the cage) in the 70's and others (like me) let it be what it is and figure the gecko will stay in its warm hide if the ambient temp is lower than it would like.

Aliza

 

[Kylerbassman]

I always keep a humid hide, but during the winter when it gets dry in my house, I will give a nice mist every other day or so. It really seems to help, but its not abnormal for them to like the humid hide. My female is in the humid hide most, but still will move throughout the tank. I really think its nothing to worry about, but its always good to keep your eye on behavior and patterns especially with a new Leo. Just make sure all your husbandry is good and I'm sure your probably be fine