Silly question

[fieryrose]

I am interested in the crested geckos. I have been trying to find out about them and reading and asking questions. I can not think of a better place to ask this then here: How come when I look at pics of them some seem to have tails and some don't? Or am I just looking at two different kinds?
Sorry for the silly question but I will never know until I ask.
I do have leo's.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

If my understanding is correct, they often lose them while growing up. I am unsure if the reason is different than the reason other geckos drop their tails. My guess would be there is more behind it, since so many have lost them.

 

[Zbiz]

Well actually they lose them the same way leos lose their tails, either they get scared or are handled roughly. But crested geckos are really quick to lose their tails. A crested could actually fall and drop their tails due to the stress. Its almost like they dont want it. The wierd thing unlike almost every other gecko they dont grow their tails back. Some scientist believe the tail actually gets in their way and being tail less makes it easier to climb. Thats why most wild crested have their tails gone. their tails arent prehensile so whats the reason to have them?

 

[moosassah]

Makes you wonder, where they are climbers, what happened in their evolution that the tail isn't used to assist?

 

[fieryrose]

Its almost like they dont want it.

That is pretty funny! *looks behind him and shakes*:main_laugh:

Now I heard that they are "sticky" at the end of the tail so wouldn't that be used to climb as well?
When looking for one shouldn't I try for the tail attached and hope the shipping won't be too stressful?

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I would deffinately go for one with a tail. But that may be preference, as it was said before, it doesnt really matter if they have it or not.

 

[Zbiz]

Well you can aim for gettin a cresty that still has his tail and shipping wouldnt be a problem. the thing is I wouldnt worry if you get a cresty with out one. either way they are cute. But dont get me wrong, if you get a cresty that doesnt mean his tail will fall off at one point, but just be careful with him so it doesnt happen.

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

Wait a second here! Who says their tail isn't prehensile? If you have ever held a crested gecko before, you'd know that just isn't true. When I hold any of the 7 that I have, they almost instantly wrap their tail around whatever finger is close enough to do so.

The statement that cresteds don't regrow their tails is true. And "throwing" a tail is also a tactic this species uses in escape I believe. By losing their tail, it gives them something to keep a preadator busy with while they make a run for it. Almost all wild caught adults are "stub tails". I personally do all I can to make sure the cresteds in my care preserves their tails, and (knock on wood) all mine still have theirs.

 

[fieryrose]

Here's another couple of questions I am curious about
I see a lot of "pinstripe" in posts but I do not know what you are talking about or where. I think of pants w/pinstripes lol AND it appears to me that males are more in demand then females?

Anyway, the more I find out about these creatures the more fascinating they become to me. I will look for tailed ones

 

[Haroldo]

The statement that cresteds don't regrow their tails is true. And "throwing" a tail is also a tactic this species uses in escape I believe. By losing their tail, it gives them something to keep a preadator busy with while they make a run for it. Almost all wild caught adults are "stub tails". I personally do all I can to make sure the cresteds in my care preserves their tails, and (knock on wood) all mine still have theirs.

Actually, that's not quite true either. Although there are no documented cases of ciliatus growing their tails back in the wild, at least one keeper in the U.S. has had a ciliatus start to regerate their tail...

 

[Mel&Keith]

Personally I prefer my cresties without tails. I think they're cute! They do use their tails to help them hang on to stuff and they do have tiny sticky pads at the ends of them but I have 4 without tails and they get around just as well. Sometimes having a tail can even cause problems like FTS (Floppy Tail Syndrome) which is believed to be caused by having their tails flop over when they hang around upside down. It can lead to severe hip deformities.

So don't discriminate against the tailless! lol

Also, females tend to be more valuable because there's no evidence that they can be temperature sexed like leos.

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

Actually, that's not quite true either. Although there are no documented cases of ciliatus growing their tails back in the wild, at least one keeper in the U.S. has had a ciliatus start to regerate their tail...

I haven't ever seen that before, and just about everywhere you read (with the exception of what you're refering to, Heraldo) they state the contrary. If you can provide a link or publication to that data, I'd like to see it.

So don't discriminate against the tailless! lol

I don't "discriminate", I just prefer cresties with tails as apposed to stub tails. To each their own, but I personally wouldn't purchase a crestie without a tail.

Also, females tend to be more valuable because there's no evidence that they can be temperature sexed like leos.

Yeah, if you look at prices anywhere a sexed female runs usually from 30% to 50% more than a sexed male.

Here's another couple of questions I am curious about
I see a lot of "pinstripe" in posts but I do not know what you are talking about or where. I think of pants w/pinstripes lol

Pinstripe usually refers to a very thin white line (hence the term) running laterally down each side of the gecko's back crest. "Full" pinstripe would mean that these lines are unbroken, and "partial" pinstripe means that these lines are broken. Hope that's clear.

 

[Haroldo]

If you want further info, contact Allen Repashy (formerly of the Sandfire Dragon Ranch). I believe he and a few of his colleagues are in New Caledonia still at the moment. So it may be a while before you get a response...

 

[fieryrose]

Thanks to all for answering my questions. Another question I just thought of in reading these threads.
What about summer time and heat? My house does warm up and I don't have air conditioning, do I just try to find the coolest place in the house? Since I live in a colder state, three seasons I would not worry about great fluctuations in heat but the summer worries me.

 

[fieryrose]

Oh and if someone would please please post a close up of the pinstripe, my eyes are getting old or something, just having a hard time.

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

If you want further info, contact Allen Repashy (formerly of the Sandfire Dragon Ranch). I believe he and a few of his colleagues are in New Caledonia still at the moment. So it may be a while before you get a response...

Not sure how to respond to this, so I guess it's best I save the first thing that comes to mind. :main_huh:

Another question I just thought of in reading these threads.
What about summer time and heat? My house does warm up and I don't have air conditioning, do I just try to find the coolest place in the house? Since I live in a colder state, three seasons I would not worry about great fluctuations in heat but the summer worries me.

Yes, I'd suggest finding a cooler area in the house. Temps should range from upper 60s to no more than 80.

Oh and if someone would please please post a close up of the pinstripe, my eyes are getting old or something, just having a hard time.

Courtesy of ACReptiles.com
1.) "Full Pinstripe" Crested Gecko
2.) "Partial Pinstripe" Crested Gecko

 

[Haroldo]

Just in case this is not clear, while the general consensus is that R. ciliatus cannot regenerate tails, at least one individual in one of Allen Repashy's colonies has done so. I do know for sure he is trying to concentrate the trait. It is also accepted wisdom that R. chahoua do not regenerate tails and there is at least one other keeper that has a male slowly regenerating his...

Most people (myself including) use temps in the 60's for the cooling off period (off breeding season). I like to keep mine between the mid to high 70's. I notice better growth in the hatchlings and more activity across the board. If you have any other questions, please ask...

 

[fieryrose]

OOHH thank you very much for the pics, I can clearly see where those pinstripes are supposed to be and can now seek them out.

I live in Michigan and the temps in my house can get pretty hot AND humid. I do not want that to stop me from getting these great creatures, the more I see and learn from them the more I like them (I personally blame Marcia on my interest in gecko as a couple of years ago I bought one from her and have been hooked ever since:main_yes: ) A reptile I thought I would never get into that I got totally hooked on!
Maybe a more cooler mist in the summer or a cool damp rag on top can help keep temps cooler.
On the cool down period that you speak of how long for cooling? Like would I cool them like I would my snakes?
I also noticed in other threads that for a baby or juvie a smaller tank is better to start, now I don't know what I am going to get yet but I do have 5 gal tanks I can start them out in. And what about if I get a few, should they all be seperated if they came from the same place? Like other reptiles one male to a tank?

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

I think if you put them in a cooler area of the house, away from direct sunlight, and maybe pull down a shade during the day, they should be OK. Remember, you don't want the temp to go over 80 in their enclosure.

A cooldown period would be in the range of 3 to 4 months.

A 5 gallon would be OK for a small crested up to about 6 months of age. Beyond that, you wouldn't want anything smaller than a 10 gallon tank for a single crested. And you can house individuals of the same size together, but watch out for "bullying". Don't ever keep more than one male in any group, as fights over teritory and females are sure to take place.

 

[fieryrose]

I think if you put them in a cooler area of the house, away from direct sunlight, and maybe pull down a shade during the day, they should be OK. Remember, you don't want the temp to go over 80 in their enclosure.

A cooldown period would be in the range of 3 to 4 months.

A 5 gallon would be OK for a small crested up to about 6 months of age. Beyond that, you wouldn't want anything smaller than a 10 gallon tank for a single crested. And you can house individuals of the same size together, but watch out for "bullying". Don't ever keep more than one male in any group, as fights over teritory and females are sure to take place.

Thanks, that what I basically thought, same as for other reptiles. I have many 10 and 20 gal tanks, these seem like guys I would like to show off, the only thing I can think I will really have to worry about is temps in the summer.
Sorry for so many questions, just easier for me to keep track of everything in one thread.