Are leopard geckos supposed to have fat tails?
The thick tails of leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) store fat. When a predator is in hot pursuit, they snap off their tails on the run. For one thing, the geckos lose their energy store. The tail can weigh as much as a quarter of the body mass.
What does it mean if my leopard geckos tail is skinny?
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidiosis is a very common reason that a leopard gecko will lose weight, and as the tail fat disappears all that remains is a thin boney tail, a condition herpetoculturists often call “stick tail”. Without treatment, a crypto-infected leopard gecko continues to lose weight until it dies.
Why is my geckos tail so fat?
Leopard geckos, like most lizards, store their fat in their tails. This is why their tails often look plump and sometimes even outright fat; that stored fat is vital to their health, as in times where they are ill or cannot access food, it will sustain them.
Why do geckos have fat tail?
Ever wonder why leopard geckos have such fat tails? The leopard gecko tail is literally fat storage which serves as an energy reserve they can live off of if there is not an available food supply. This is much like another desert dwelling creature, the camel, storing fat in its hump for survival .
Why do leopard geckos lose so much weight?
Stick Tail Disease is a general term describing rapid weight loss in leopard geckos, reducing the fat reserves in their tail to the vertebrae; thus the “stick tail,” descriptor. If your gecko has lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time, it is imperative that you make an appointment with a qualified reptile veterinarian immediately.
What does a leopard tail gecko do with its tail?
Species like leopard-tail geckos and fat-tail geckos are normally seen with a thick tail at the base. It is easy for them to store fat in their tail and use that fat for nutrition during cold months or when ill. It is a great mechanism for them to stay healthy and strong. What Causes Stick Tail to Develop?
What kind of disease does a leopard gecko have?
Medically, one of the common conditions that we see in geckos is a syndrome commonly called “stick tail” disease. Generally speaking, it is an accumulation of signs seen in lizards, and left untreated, leads to a wasted body condition. It is seen in many species of geckos, including leopard geckos, fat- tail geckos, and crested geckos.
How to treat stick tail disease in geckos?
If bacterial infection or general parasites are the culprit, they can be treated with appropriate medications from your exotic veterinarian. Avoid using over the counter or dog/cat/human medications for your reptile pet. Each animal is different and needs to be treated correctly.
Stick Tail Disease is a general term describing rapid weight loss in leopard geckos, reducing the fat reserves in their tail to the vertebrae; thus the “stick tail,” descriptor. If your gecko has lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time, it is imperative that you make an appointment with a qualified reptile veterinarian immediately.
Why does my leopard gecko have stick tail?
Additionally, bacterial infection caused by Salmonella can cause similar signs of weight loss leading to stick tail. Salmonella is very concerning as it is easily spread to other reptiles and can even affect humans, so proper hand and tank disinfection is critical to prevention and treatment.
Medically, one of the common conditions that we see in geckos is a syndrome commonly called “stick tail” disease. Generally speaking, it is an accumulation of signs seen in lizards, and left untreated, leads to a wasted body condition. It is seen in many species of geckos, including leopard geckos, fat- tail geckos, and crested geckos.
When to take a leopard gecko to the vet?
A good suggestion is to take a picture or have your lizard weighed and evaluated by your vet. It is beneficial for your reptile to see an exotic animal veterinarian within a few weeks post-purchase, and then for yearly examinations, so that there is a record of your pet’s health.
