What is this black stuff on my leopard gecko? :(

[delly7]

Hello all.

I picked up a leopard gecko from my local repticon about 2 weeks ago, and she seemed completely fine and healthy. While cleaning out her tub a couple days ago, I noticed that she has some discolored scales on her chin and on her fingers. My herp vet is only available on Fridays and Saturdays, and this is further complicated by my work schedule. I've researched lots of leopard gecko illnesses and have not seen anything like this before. I'm very worried. Any insight would be very much appreciated. Also, I do not keep any of my reptiles on newspaper, so it's not ink that has rubbed off on her. Please help.

 

[discoverlight]

I'm not 100% sure what it is, but would you be comfortable giving her a soak for a few minutes and rubbing gently with a cotton swab on the areas? Let me know how it goes

 

[delly7]

Other than her trying to eat the cotton swab, nothing. It won't come off.

 

[Ruvik]

Tell me the layout of your tub and if you have any pictures can you show them? Also the heating of your tub as well.

 

[delly7]

Sure thing. Here is an image:

I regulate the heat tape with a thermostat and regularly see temps averaging around 90-91 F in the back of the tub. The water dishes add enough humidity to the tubs that they don't require humid hides, they shed perfectly fine without them.
It's also probably worth mentioning that I keep two males in this rack system as well and they have the exact same layout, and have had no health problems whatsoever (other than a minor case of pinworms that was remedied very quickly, but that was before the geckos were in a rack system).

I'm relatively new to keeping leos in racks (I did it to save space and help make my leos feel more secure), so please feel free to let me know if something is incorrect or needs to be changed.

 

[InStitches]

it looks like the same darkening is on her toes as well? from what I see in the photo. just noting it, I'm a very new leo keeper so I have no idea what could cause the marks.

 

[Ruvik]

Everything looks in order. Hm. Wait til her next shed and see if it comes off. If not I'd go to the vet about it. I mean the only other thing I could see that may be happening is the paint for the water dish is rubbing off on her, but I don't think it's very likely.