this month's Reptiles Magazine article

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Arrrghhhh!!! Has anyone read the "Ask the Breeder" section of this month's Reptiles Magazine? The 'breeder', Jerry G. Walls is claiming that African Fat-tail and Leopard Geckos are related, and spells out how to hybridize the two. I sent the following letter to Reptiles Magazine:

To whom it may concern;

I am shocked and appalled by Jerry G. Wall's response to the question regarding hybridization of African Fat-tail geckos and Leopard Geckos. (Reptiles Magazine March 2007 issue, page 32). In his response, he claims that African Fat-tail Geckos (Hemitheconyx caudicintus) and Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are related and could be housed together and possibly hybridized with mating.

Hemitheconyx caudicintus and Eublepharis macularius geckos may look similar, but are NOT related. They are completely different species, much less sub-species of the same gecko. Their sub-labial scale counts and toe structure are proof that these geckos are not even closely related. They are geographically from completely different hemispheres on different continents. Their natural habitats are very different, and require very different captive environments. African Fat-tail Geckos require more humidity than the high desert environment of the Leopard gecko, and therefore should not even be housed together.

There is a reason that a Hemitheconyx caudicintus/Eublepharis macularius hybrid had not been created yet, and that being that they are not related and therefore not biologically compatible. I find it very disturbing and irresponsible that Mr. Walls is suggesting ways it could be done, especially to the readers of Reptiles Magazine that may not have experience with these two separate species of geckos.

Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
925-755-3113
http://www.goldengategeckos.com
http://www.geckoforums.net

 

[Val]

I run into that question a lot, and unfortunately, I'm sure they are housed together more often than I'd like to think about. I can't believe that Reptile Magazine would publish something like that.

 

[bittner_344]

wow, they said he was a breeder? thats funny.....
-brett

 

[Scott&Nikki]

I have always wondered that. Not that I thought they were related or the same species, but what exactly are the differences between the two - husbandry wise?

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

that's a little spooky to me that they even published that, you would think they would have people that do research before publishing that kind of stuff.

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

I have not seen the article but that is a well written and concise response. Marcia I thank you for taking your time to retort with the facts.

 

[BalloonzForU]

I don't have my issue yet to read the article in question.

I do remember some have tried breeding the two before, babies did hatch but didn't live very long, if I remember correctly.

I too at one point, being a newbie, wondered if they were even related enough to be bred together. That's when I came across the above info, and information just like Marcia has in the letter to Reptile Magazine. I can't believe that they published that. I can see it now this is going to be a new debate in some of the forums.:main_rolleyes:

 

[The NY Gecko]

Hmmmm....I KNEW there was a reason i didnt bother to re subscrive. It becomes more and more diappointing to read as time goes on.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

My bad. My bad. I re-read the article and should not have sent the letter. I feel terrible that I jumped to the conclusions I did. I should know better than to read articles in the morning before I have had my coffee. I was wrong. I need a vacation.

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

Doh!! I'm sure that your mistake was an honest one. Maybe the article was not perfectly clear? Maybe they left something open to interpertation? Maybe we have learned to read thoroughly before we chastise??? lol Sorry Marcia. I have to rib you a little.

Maybe this will ease the pain.
:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Maybe we have learned to read thoroughly before we chastise???

Yes. We'll see how long it takes me to forget what I've learned.

(Thanks for the dancin' bananas... they didn't ease the pain, but they made me forget about it for minute!)

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

Marcia, it happens to everyone, don't feel bad!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Marcia, it happens to everyone, don't feel bad!

Thanks, Wendy. The problem is, that it happens to me a little too often these days. (How do you think I got dubbed with the name "Mean Old Gecko Lady")? Maybe I should change it to "Mean Old Menopausal Gecko Lady" and have my doctor change my meds...

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Thanks, Wendy. The problem is, that it happens to me a little too often these days. (How do you think I got dubbed with the name "Mean Old Gecko Lady")? Maybe I should change it to "Mean Old Menopausal Gecko Lady" and have my doctor change my meds...

Haha... But we all love you.

 

[BalloonzForU]

Did I miss something? What did the article say??? MOMGL

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

Haha... But we all love you.

Ditto!

 

[ByRandom]

I was gonna say.. but we still love you and your hot flashes, Marcia.

 

[nevinm]

marcia, did you see this months issue yet????? i think they replied to you.