Incubation temp. vs. coloration...

[Country Gecko]

Hello,

I posted this in the "Egg Incubation" forum but it's not as active a forum so I figured I would try this one since it is still related.

What I am wondering is...do any of you know if colors other than black (melanin) are reduced with an increase in incubation temp? The reason I ask is, I hatched some Sunglows over the past few weeks and during their incubation, I gradually increased the incubator temp. (from 82 to 87 over a few weeks time).

I have noticed that not only is the darker color (melanin) reduced, but the ones that hatched later and therefore had a longer period of higher temp. incubation had a lighter overall appearance (lighter pink, orange, and yellow color) as well.

Thanks,
Glenn

 

[supperlxyx]

Somewere I read that you will have darker hatchers when you have low temps and lighter hatchers with higher temps. On the first 3 weeks(?) the gender will be decided by temps and after that you can use the temp to influence the colour(plz correct me if wrong I mean I´ve read it somewere).
bye

 

[GeckoRing]

There is a temp. correlation to reduced melanin. Tremper recommends incubating them for 3 weeks to determine sex, then moving them to a higher temp. This is a somewhat controversial practice.

 

[Emma318]

Can I ask exactly why it's controversial? Is there a chance it could cause defects/harm the embryo?

 

[IndyLuckyLeos]

It can cause defects. I have heard some people say that it can kill the leo.

 

[Country Gecko]

Thanks for the replies...

I was aware of the sex being locked in in the first few weeks. I only have one incubator at this time so I slowly increased the temp after a few weeks to get better colored females but I will probably end up with a few males with the later hatchers. Anyway, I am confident that a "gradual" increase in temp. is harmless. I have hatched quite a few now with no problems. Maybe a sudden change of incubation temp is what people are more concerned with.

My real question here is still unanswered? Your replies are much appreciated but I am very interested to know if colors other than black are usually decreased by an increased incubation temp.

Thanks again,
Glenn