New Surrender

[RandomWiktor]

I do exotics rescue on a small scale, and was recently surrendered this gecko as a resident to be used in education (most animals I foster & rehome). He has neurlogical problems caused by a genetic defect common in his color morph; sadly, because of the profits involved in morph breeding, people are creating a lot of genetically unfit animals through inbreeding and irresponsible breeding of flawed animals.

This animal "stargazes," head bobs, circles, splays his legs,occasionally flips himself, and needs to be tong fed because he has very poor vision, another problem common in his morph. He's also hypersensitive to light. Despite these problems, he's a very friendly little dude, active and inquisitive. I think he'll be great for our education program since we sometimes work with disabled kids and they really respond to animals with disabilities.

(Circling)


Vid of some of his stargazing and twirling, though he actually wasn't doing too bad in this shot. When I put him in his QT tank he was disoriented and kept wildly circling and flipping, it was kinda sad

 

[slavetoabunny]

What a handsome little fellow. I love geckos. I have a huge collection of gecko jewelry - probably close to 100 pins.

 

[JadeIcing]

So cute! I love geckos. I have one named Jax.

 

[Luluznewz]

Wow he is a really pretty guy. I'm sorry to hear about his condition. He has a friendly face I dont have any gecko experience, but he seems like a cool creature.

Does his condition really affect his quality of life? I mean, obviously he requires more care with the tong feeding and light issues, but if that happens is the poor little guy okay? I hope hes happy, its sad that peoples mistakes lead to animals with problems.

 

[yngmea]

I think the disabled children idea would be awesome.

 

[RandomWiktor]

Jessica, I suppose quality of life is a subjective judgement. In my opinion, yes, he has an acceptable quality of life. He's obviously impaired compared to a "normal" gecko, but he also has many perfectly normal behavior. He explores his surroundings - albiet with some spinning - basks, chooses which hide he wants to rest in, eagerly eats, etc. They're not really like a dog where you can say "Oh, he's not playing, he doesn't want to be pet, he's not eager to go for walks" etc. when judging quality of life, so it's mostly a matter of a. is he showing signs of pain? and b. is he able to perform normal behaviors?

 

[Myia09]

I am a breeder of Enigma's (The morph your are questioning, yours I believe is a Tremper Enigma) and I have to tell you, most responsible breeders will not breed an Enigma that shows signs of any circling or problems.
Circling I agree is unfortunatly quite common, but Enigmas are a brand new morph that really is a mutation of the genes in a much more serious way than other morphs have become.
I do not breed for profit, (In fact I have only bred 3 clutches and there were snow lines, not enigmas) I think a lot of people breed for the beauty of an Enigma.
And in fact, most breeders who sell circling engimas sell strictly pet only.
It is sad and unfortunate, and I put a lot of considerating when I bought my males (I know only have 1 engima male) that have a long line of of not having any problems, in fact non of the parents or offspring had problems.
There is also a lot of health issues in Bulldogs, pugs, french bulldogs, ect (Issues of soft pallet, breathing problems, ect) but people are breeding those issues out.
Nobody I see carries around a Bulldog and tells people bad breeding for profit made this animal sick. Also with Great Danes who are very subject to Hip Dsyplesia (Sp?).

I would also like to point out EngimaXEngima breeding increases the changes of defects and in my personal belief should not be done. Both of my female are not Engimas.

Second, there is no inbreeding in geckos (With responsible breeders I should say). There is "Line breeding" which has shown to be healthy alternative to creating out morph lines (Which I never have done)

I have done a lot of reptile rescue myself and I think it is great that you are doing education,
As long as you know the full history and subject on Enigma's before you start telling people they are bad, but I would love to hear another person out there telling people about the dangers of sand as substate, ect ect.

 

[RandomWiktor]

Sorry if the video or post offended you; I was showing what happens when people breed irresponsibly, which sadly I have seen a LOT of because of the $$ involved in morph breeding. Several of my friends are morph breeders and go about it responsibly, and I take no issue with that, but that was not the case in this animal. And I don't think I was misrepresenting suggesting that neuro problems are more common in enigmas; they are. It is not appropriate to breed animals that have a high likelihood of having a defect that adversely affects their functionality. And that's EXACTLY what this individual did. When I bring this animal out for demos, I will be perfectly honest: the owner's breeding practices were irresponsible.

 

[Myia09]

I completley agree, it was an irresponsible owner
I didn't mean to come off strong, and I apologize