Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Why do so many crested have broken tails? I notice them on every site...and in lot's of pet photos.

Many of the males in the wild lose their tails due to territory disputes. Kind of like flag foot ball but they never get their flag back. In captivity, its the same way.
Cresties can also drop tails like a leopard gecko if stressed out enough. The tactic? Big animal scares little gecko. Little gecko wiggles tail off which continues to wiggle. Predator then eats tail while gecko makes his escape. Just an FYI, I have NOT seen this reason documented but know it from seeing it happen twice.
Another reason is that mating season can be rough between the males and females. The good news is that a tailess gecko will adapt without the 5th limb and will heal with a stub. Not having a tail will not hinder reproduction either.
Lastly, too many babies in an enclosure will also cause a tail loss. Tail nipping takes place wether it be mistaken for food (sometimes the tails are never found as they are eaten)or its a form of dominance/territorial dispute.
It is unfortunate that the ciliatus does not grow the prehensile back though like the auriculatus do.

Severa

Looking over the original post, I first thought the poster might have meant kinked tails not tail loss...

Kinked tails are a whole different story, poor nutrition, bad genetics, all can show up first as a kinked tail. But it could just be that it is late and I then get confused easily and you did mean lost tails. If that is the case, ignore me.

take care.
-----
0.1 Albino Leo Gecko
0.1 Crested Gecko
1.0 Dear Boyfriend
Departed: Harvey and Spock