Leopard Gecko changing colors

[Number1Sticky]

What are some reasons for a Leopard Gecko changing colors?

I have two female Super Hypo Tangerine Baldies. One is about 6 1/2 years old, the other is about 6 years 3 months. They use to be the same color, but the older one has gotten very dark over the past year. It use to be hard to tell them apart, but they are totally different now.

Their diet or habitat hasn't really changed. The only thing is, I got them a background and a different cave.

Their basking temps are kept at 88°-90°. The other side is kept at 80°-85°.

Here is a picture of her from just 2 year 9 months ago (I did take all the sand out, they now have slate tile):


This one is just from a few days ago, she is a darker then she looks in the picture:


And this is both of them together:

 

[mörten]

Is your avatar picture of them both before one of them got darker?

Some leos can change color after shedding even as adults. But changes in their color can also depend on the environment in their enclosure - such as the heat.

Your female might exhibit a change in color due to her enviroment. You mentioned "basking temperatures", and so I am wondering if heat lamps are your only heat source? Under tank heaters (heat mats) are vital for leos to digest their food. Also you have to measure the floor temperatures directly above the heat mat (if you already have these things in their tank, I apologize for writing about the uth and floortemps). So what I am thinking is that if you are only using heat lamps and your geckos new cave is not as near the heat lamp as the old one, then your female may simply not get enough heat, which is reflected in her color.

Also, how is her eating etc as of today? Even if nothing has changed, she might exhibit symptoms of health issues

But its really hard to tell without more detailed information on your current setup. Fill out the health questionnaire so one can evaluate the situation better

Keep us updated and fill out the questionnaire

 

[Number1Sticky]

Is your avatar picture of them both before one of them got darker?

Some leos can change color after shedding even as adults. But changes in their color can also depend on the environment in their enclosure - such as the heat.

Your female might exhibit a change in color due to her enviroment. You mentioned "basking temperatures", and so I am wondering if heat lamps are your only heat source? Under tank heaters (heat mats) are vital for leos to digest their food. Also you have to measure the floor temperatures directly above the heat mat (if you already have these things in their tank, I apologize for writing about the uth and floortemps). So what I am thinking is that if you are only using heat lamps and your geckos new cave is not as near the heat lamp as the old one, then your female may simply not get enough heat, which is reflected in her color.

Also, how is her eating etc as of today? Even if nothing has changed, she might exhibit symptoms of health issues

But its really hard to tell without more detailed information on your current setup. Fill out the health questionnaire so one can evaluate the situation better

Keep us updated and fill out the questionnaire

Yes that is them before the change.

I do have an under tank heater, sorry I forgot the mention that. The thermometer is on the side of their tank and it’s about an inch from the ground. Is that good enough?

She seems to be eating healthy, she’s still got a fat tail.

 

[Number1Sticky]

About your leo:
- Sex: Female
- Age & Weight: 6 years 7 months (estimated), I'm not sure on the weight. I will try to get it soon
- How long have you owned your leo: About 5/2 years
- Where was he/she obtained (ex. Pet store, breeder, wild caught, friend): Friend

A) Health/History
- How often do you handle your leo: Never, they try to attack when I pick them up
- Is your leo acting any different today? If so how does he/she normally act which differs from now: Acting normal
- Has he/she had any problems in the past, if so please describe: She had problems with her eyes about 2 years ago. They were closed shut, but as soon as I got a humidity cave she was all good.
B) Fecals
- Describe (look any different than normal): Looks normal to me
- When was the last time he/she went: I’m not sure because I have two lizards
C) Problem
- Please briefly describe the problem and how long it has been going on: her skin has gotten very dark. She’s slowly gotten dark for maybe a year.

Housing:
A) Enclosure
- Size: 20 gallon long
- Type (ex. glass tank): glass
- Type of substrate: slate tile
- Hides, how many, what kind: one cave (http://www.++++++++.com/product/zoom/index.jsp?productId=16624326), just switched it to this last week. And a humidity cave.
B) Heating
- Heat source: ceramic light bulb 60wt and under tank heater
- Cage temps (hot side, cool side): hot side: 88°-90° cool side: 80°-85° (sometimes it does get warmer because my room gets hot, but there’s not much I can do about that)
- Method of regulating heat source: I check temps twice a day (morning and night). I turn the heat light off if it gets too hot. When the heat light is on, it’s on a timer or 12 hours.
- What are you using to measure your temps: thermometers
- Do you have any lights (describe): no lights. Just the sun from my window (they are not directly in the sun and not right by my window sill)
C) Cage mates
- How many (males, females): 1 female
- Describe health, or previous problems: none

Describe Diet:
A) Typical diet
- What you're feeding (how often, how much): 12 crickets (each) weekly and 12 mealworms (each) weekly.
- How are you feeding (hand fed, left in dish, ect): crickets go right in the tank and mealworms in a dish.
B) Supplements (describe how often)
- What vitamin/minerals are you using (list brands): reptivite each meal and a “bowl” of NOW Calcium (Now Foods Calcium Carbonate Powder, Pure - 12 Ounces - eVitamins.com). I just switched to these supplements in February. Before they had Repashy.
- What are you gut loading food with: the crickets are gut loaded at the pet store I get them from with cricket food (they go right in the tank as soon as I get home). The mealworms nothing :/

 

[mörten]

The ceramic bulb of 60 watt is a bit strong I would say, especially since you already have an uth and you say that it can get quite warm in your room. Try using only the uth as the main heat source and plug a thermostat into it so control the temperature more exactly.

I would actually try to seperate the two. Not only can cage mates cause stress, but you might not be able to tell who ate what and who pooped where etc.

This is what I would do

 

[mörten]

Is your gecko doing better?