Tail Kink Quesion

[goReptiles]

I thought tail kinks was possibly genetic, but this year I've had a small handful kinks in my hatchlings. Could this be attributed to the mealworms the breeders had at the beginning of the season or something underlying in the male bred to those particular females?

The hatchlings with the kinks all came from the same male and different females, which is why I ask if it could be something underlying with that male?

He's not breeding next year just in case, but I'm curious as to what could have been the cause.

 

[fallen_angel]

Is there any possible background of tail kinks in the male? I have only known it to be genetic as well, resulting from inbreeding or line-breeding.. I honestly wouldn't think that bad mealworms would have caused a kinked tail.

 

[Kristi23]

I've only had one with a kinked tail so far, so I'm not sure. I hope it's not your male.

 

[Crazygecko]

I do not remember where I read it, but I have heard that its not always genetic and can happen inside the egg. But not sure how that could be proven.

 

[malt_geckos]

I would be safe to say that since it was just from that pair, either the male or female is carrying the trait..or possibly both...Unless you know for certain that both male and female come from a line of no tail kinks..

 

[goReptiles]

I'm not sure the if it's in the background of the male, but it's from different females, and of about 10-15 hatchlings from them, there has been about 4 with kinks. I kind of think it's from the male, as the females are from bigger breeders and the male from some guy at a show. He's definitely not being bred again.

 

[cwazy]

ok rookie question that i dont get as we have a gecko, not a leo though, with a major kink in his tail... was GIVEN to us becuz of the kink... it seems fine with plenty of spunk and life, eats great ect... so whats the deal with the kinks? why are they so bad and looked down on??? sorry for bein so dumb... ive just been wondering....?

 

[cwazy]

???????

 

[MSMD]

Everything that I've heard/read about tail kinks leads me to believe them genetic, as well. When popping up as the result of breeding 'normal' (no tail kinks) parents, I'm wondering if there is a history of tail kinks somewhere back down the line??? My best educated guess would be something underlying in the male, as that is the common link with all of the hatchlings, as they were produced from different females.

Bill, I'm not sure about other reptiles, but in Leopard Geckos, tail kinks are thought to be genetic and something that you do not want to breed. There is nothing wrong with them (other than the obvious mild deformity). They make wonderful pets and can have an excellent quality of life, most people just steer clear of breeding them in fear of reproducing that defect.