Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My crested just lost it's tail. It's alone in the tank, and didn't seem to have any problems. I was actually out for a bit, and just noticed as it was on the side of the tank that the tail was gone. Is this normal? Will it grow back?

Thanks, I've only had the gecko for 2 days now!
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1.1.0 Green Anoles
1.0 Jeweled Curly Tails (Big Guy & Cutie)
0.0.1 Crested Gecko

It does happen. Most of the time something startles them causing them to drop their tails. It is a defensive behavior. The bad news is that the tail will not grow back. The good news is the crested is fine and will live a fully productive life sans tail. In the wild the marjority of them are missing tails and some believe there are actualy benifits for the gecko whom has no tail. Added mobility and less energy required.

Thanks. Just was worried & thought it strange, the gecko has it's own tank, and wasn't being handled or anything. I wasn't even home, just happened to check on it later in the night & noticed it was off. Do I need to do anything to the stump?

Thanks,

Howie
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1.1.0 Green Anoles
1.0 Jeweled Curly Tails (Big Guy & Cutie)
0.0.1 Crested Gecko

Nope it will heal up just fine into a nub. I have 3 tailess ones. I think it kind of gives them character. Do you have a dog or a cat? If so one of them could have gotten a little to close to the tank and startled the little guy. One of mine lost its tail because when cleaning the tank I moved some cork bark which startled her and she just dropped that tail and ran. The tail kept writhing for turning for the longest time. Gross and fascinating at the same time.

Thanks for the info. Nope, no other animals aside from a tank with anoles & a curly tail in a different room. Only thing I can think of is I startled it when I walked into the room & turned on the light. The tail was by the water dish I put in it's cage. Wasn't moving or anything though...

Kind of related, does losing the tail make it any more difficult to sex the gecko? I'm trying to let it settle in a bit before I start grabbing it & turning it over. If it's on the glass where I can get a pic, I'll try!

Thanks again,

Howie
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1.1.0 Green Anoles
1.0.0 Jeweled Curly Tails (Big Guy)
0.0.1 Crested Gecko

Nope. You can still sex them without the tail. Once it matures the it is quite obvious that you have a male. Definitely post a picture and maybe we can tell what sex it is if it is still young. If it is a adult and you have a male you will know it from the bulge.

Steve