Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just went to get a hatchling out of the incubator and noticed there is something wrong with his front left foot. It looks like there is function in the leg, but when it walks he walks on top of his hand, if that makes any sense. He was incubated between 83-86 degrees just like every other hatchling that has come out normal. This is the first ever hatchling from one of my girls. The father has never had a problem with his offspring before since I have had him. Has any one seen this before? Will it gain the use of the foot as it gets older/stronger? It's very spunky and pretty fast for only having three good feet. Its really small though. The eggs was smaller than its clutch mate's too. Well if anyone has had this happen to them, or has any tips I'd really appreciate it! I'll try to get a pic up soon!
Thanks!
Emily
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2.4.2 leopard geckos
1.1 ferrets (Oliver and Delilah)
1. budgie (Max)
0.0.1 Ring neck Parakeet (Kiwi)
1.1 German Shepards (Jake and Abigail)

www.freewebs.com/thespottedgecko

>>I just went to get a hatchling out of the incubator and noticed there is something wrong with his front left foot. It looks like there is function in the leg, but when it walks he walks on top of his hand, if that makes any sense. He was incubated between 83-86 degrees just like every other hatchling that has come out normal. This is the first ever hatchling from one of my girls. The father has never had a problem with his offspring before since I have had him. Has any one seen this before? Will it gain the use of the foot as it gets older/stronger? It's very spunky and pretty fast for only having three good feet. Its really small though. The eggs was smaller than its clutch mate's too. Well if anyone has had this happen to them, or has any tips I'd really appreciate it! I'll try to get a pic up soon!
>>Thanks!

I assume you are talking about a Leopard Gecko hatchling. This is really fairly common with Leopard Geckos. Normally, that is a permanent defect. I have had a few that pretty much led normal lives like that, though. Another thing to watch for with hatchlings is that they sometimes fail to shed the skin on their toes. This will eventually cut off circulation and the toes will die and drop off. If they fail to shed their skin on their toes, you will have to help them shed it. Mist the hatchling lightly with water to soften the skin, then carefully remove the shed skin with tweezers. They don't like it much and will squirm a lot, so you have to be careful not to injure him trying to restrain him.
>>Emily
>>-----
>>2.4.2 leopard geckos
>>1.1 ferrets (Oliver and Delilah)
>>1. budgie (Max)
>>0.0.1 Ring neck Parakeet (Kiwi)
>>1.1 German Shepards (Jake and Abigail)
>>
>>www.freewebs.com/thespottedgecko
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson