Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is Satori. She is just over a year old, and is 7 1/4 inches long, and weighs 37 grams. As you can see she has a nice fat tail, but I usually have a 45 gram minimum for breeding. Of course, most of my geckos are much longer. Thing is, I think this is as big and fat as she is going to get, look at that tail. I think I am going to sell her, as I am breeding for size as well as color, and she is only 7 1/4...question is, would it be safe for her to sell to someone for breeding, as ready to breed, assuming they are responsible etc...Or is it not safe to breed a shorter gecko?

I bred a group of geckos this year and none of them were over 7 inches in length or over 45 grams. They were all over a year old and they were all bulky for their length. I had no trouble at all with them and they produced many fertile eggs. Not all geckos are the same, they're just like humans, some are just naturally shorter or weigh less. As long as they're healthy and old enough, I don't think size really matters that much when breeding them.
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The Hypo Gecko

Thanks! I know the leo manual says normal size is 7-10 inches, this is just the first I've had that is on the shorter end of the scale. I guess it only makes sense to adjust the weight scale if they are shorter or longer, just like humans. Looking at that tail my instinct is she'll be a good prooducer and just fine. But I wanted to hear from someone who had bred geckos this size. Thanks for your response!

Well, she might be more susceptible to egg binding, due to her smaller size. I dont think I would breed her, but there are people who have bred leos at that size safely, so really it is up to whoever buys the gecko whether or not they want to take a risk. Of course, she might breed perfectly fine and have no problems laying eggs. I would let people know of the risk, and then let them make their own decision of whether or not they want a pet, or a breeder...
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Josh
My Email

Do you KNOW there is an increased risk or are you just guessing?

There is definitely an increased risk of egg binding when breeding geckos that small... but "increased risk" is a relative thing.

Going from a 2% chance to a 9% chance is an "increased risk" (those are just random percentages btw), but 9% is by no means a huge chance of binding.

I guess my point is that while there is a greater risk for egg binding, it's not a sure thing.

I know plenty of reputable breeders that will "rush" a project using 35 gram females.

As long as you make the buyer aware of the fact that she is small for her age and "may" have problems breeding I think you would satisfy your ethical responsibilities as a breeder.
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, and Screaming Fat-Tails

But Ross is there actually a risk if she is at her full length that she will achieve? She hasn't grown longer in many many months, though I have been able to get her fatter. Any fatter than she is would be obese on her I think (see pic). Her tail is huge. I think 37 grams for a 7 1/4 inch gecko may be a top weight.

I know there is a risk if geckos are underweight for their size, but 37 grams on a 7" gecko and 37 grams on a 9" gecko are very different things. I don't see one can equate the two.

The fact that she is nicely filled out, perhaps even chubby, and still only weighs 37g is one of the parts that would worry me.

I do know a few breeders who have hatched out "midget" leos and tried to establish a line of "toy" leopards. On average these leopards grew to around 6.5" and weighted around 30-35g as adults.

When bred almost every single female became eggbound, and the projects were dropped. The extremely high rates of egg binding were assumed to be caused by their small size.

I realize your female is significantly larger, but she still may be small enough to cause some egg binding problems. No one can tell you for sure either way as it's really all speculation at this point.

I would just make sure the buyer is aware of the situation and let them decide...
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, and Screaming Fat-Tails

I appreciate it!

Though I do note that 6 1/2 is under what is considered "normal" for leopard gex, and 7 1/4 is within what is considered "normal", so perhaps there is a crucial difference there.

Maybe I can get another gram or three on her, stimulate her to grow a little. Do they ever start growing again after they stop for months?

Honestly I don't know a 100% correct answer to the growth question...

I always hear that reptiles grow throughout their entire lives... though the growth rates slow, almost to a halt, as they age. If this is true then she should definitely put on some extra weight and length in time, especially since significant growth is still experienced from the ages of 1yr to 3yr.

Maybe you just have a late bloomer on your hands.

I wish you luck with her, let us know if she hits a growth spurt.
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, and Screaming Fat-Tails

Thats very strange that shes so light, even if she is only 7.25" she should be heavier. I can see she is very fat but she must not be dense at all. I have a female who is only 7.5" and last I weighed her she came in around 64 grams! She doesn't look any bulkier than your girl either. Junie on the other hand feels very dense to the touch. Junie is 2 years old, and has been the size she is and has stayed that way for over a year now.

This is her:

BTW Junie never had/has problems with eggs.
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~Andrea

2.8.1 Leopard geckos
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Check out my new website: DreamGecko.com

I'm going to try to get her fatter, see if I can, before I sell her. I may buy a digital scale to double check, I have been using a manual scale.