Has any of you heard of a fat tail/leopard hybrid? I got two fat tails from a guy last week, and he said they were cross-breeds. If they are, it's OK with me because they're really neat and I'm getting to know them already, etc. But I couldn't find any info online about this 'cross breed'. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Jennifer

I've never heard of it, they are related but I don't think they are that closely related considering the fact that they have very different needs.

I would be interested in seeing pictures though!

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"If you're not falling, you're not trying." - Sonni Trotter

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

I believe there was a short read on it in a recent issue of Reptiles. I don't remember what was said on the subject though. Perhaps someone call recall the issue. It was in the ask the breeder part.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

I have the issue around here somewhere. They are 2 total diffrent genus. So I highly doubt it. Theres a few posts a bout it here. They be a cross morph maybe, like het for something, and hte guy had no idea what he was talking about.

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It was in the March issue. He says he's never heard of anyone who has successfully done it. However it is a possibility but very slim. He says that the level of differences between the two genera is not that strong. Basically someone would have to try to accomplish it. THere's not much chance it could happen on it
's own.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

Thanks for all your interesting input. I'm feeling rather ignorant, because I don't know enough about geckos to figure out what I have. Originally, the seller (a private, wildlife rescuer) told me that the were a fat-tails (I got 2 of them). In fact, that is what I had called looking for. I told her that our former fat-tail had died, and that we wanted to adopt some more. When I saw these two and noted that they had a leopard pattern instead of the standard fat-tail stripes, she said that the leopard-printed fat-tail is very, very rare, but that it does exist.

Then when I took it to Petco to buy some things, and I showed to the reptile expert there (whom I know well, and respect his opinion) who told me it was a leopard gecko. So I went home and called the seller, who then told me that they were 'definitely fat-tails', but might be a leopard/fat-tail cross-breed. Having looked at many pics of leopard geckos, my geckos looks exactly like them in body and pattern except that mine have a bubble of fat on their tails, just like an african fat-tail. In other words, the tail does not taper like a leopard gecko's (i.e. thick at the base tapering to thin at the end). Rather, these have a tail that's fat at the base, then tapers a little, then gets fat again with a bubble or hump of fat, then continues tapering to the end of the tail.

If y'all know anything about this, please let me know. I'm trying to find out if the seller duped me. If so, I have a few guesses as to why, but I'd like to have more info before I think such things about someone. Thanks so much for your input!

Kindly,

Jennifer Gal

1 Walking toad
2 Firebellies
3 African dward frogs (2 albino, 1 green)
6 baby toads
1 bullfrog
2 geckos (breed?) - Noah & Gravy (gray + wavy = gravy. My daughter named it)

Don't feel ignorant when it come to the topic of hybridization. Not many herpers are well versed in that area. I'd sure like to see some pics of them. The tail issue could simply be that is is a re-grown one having lost the original. They rarely grow back in looking the same. Post some pics if you can as this is getting a little puzzling.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

Pictures of the geckos will help a whole lot too in telling you what they are.

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Regrown tails were my first thought as well.
Pictures of them will tell.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Regeneration is likely the answer. Leopard geckos are autotomous. This means they have the ability to drop their tails when they are threatened or being attacked/mis handled. (Self-amputation of a damaged or trapped appendage.) When the tail regenerates, it grows in very much like a fat tails "bulb". I also believe that you have a leo with a regenerated tail. I would love to see pictures. I could easily confirm it with a visual.

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