Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Rickeezee]

I have noticed that my adult pair of Day Gexs both the female and male stick their tales up in the air at 90 degrees to their bodies. Anyone know why they do this please?

I have not noticed the sub adults doing this.

Could it be a scenting thing, or a courtship display?
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[Scott W]

which direction are they facing? (head up or down?)
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[Rickeezee]

head down.
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[Scott W]

happens quite a bit with cresteds, seems to be a weak tail joint but no-one really knows the answer.
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[Rickeezee]

Oh that's interesting, I wonder if it just occurs in adults? if it did it may indicate a lack of something fro when younger and growing and developing, unless it is genetic?

Very interesting.
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[herplover212]

Hey Rick,

Here in the US people call it Flop or Floppy Tail Syndrome. I have never had it happen, but it is most common with cresties (that I have read, which doesn't mean it is more prevalent, as I don't do a whole lot of research on Day Geckos, or other arboreal species etc etc etc) Anyways, yes it is normally a result of bad husbandry - which could mean a combo of temps, supplements, etc were off. I do not believe it is genetic, and from what I have read, heard and seen - some believe it very well can be caused from juvenile issues and show up down the road in rescue cases, etc. So, if your gecko was a rescue or if you got it when it was anything but a hatchling or young juvenile, it could be showing results of bad husbandry from that time.

I will not go so far as to say it is NOT genetic, or that it does indeed show up from bad husbandry alone. Just lettin' ya know what I have read, heard and seen in the US so far. I have much, much more research to do though.

-Shanna
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*Yes, I am the chick in the pic!" ;)

[Rickeezee]

The adult pair I have, I have just acquired about three weeks ago. So I do not have a detailed history for them.


The younger ones I have had for a couple of months.


Thank you for the information it is helpful.


I am supplementing, giving a variety of livefoods, and fruit puree every day is also given (they love this). So with any luck the younger ones may not succumb to the floppy tail.
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[herplover212]

From what I have learned, the major cause is lack of foliage. What happens, so I have read and heard, is that the geckos tend to develop this when they are kept in enclosures that do not give them enough cover to hide the way a well set-up enclosure does. These creatures spend too much time on a surface, obviously most of the time heading downwards, and the tail tends to curl over the back towards the head. In time, the tail just starts to flop over the head when they face down, thus being named Floppy Tail Syndrome.

I would highly doubt your young ones will be victims to this. I will do more research for you, but from what I know there is no cure. Just people like you who can offer good husbandry and good diet to give them a nice life. It isn't fatal in itself, but as you can imagine, not being able to use a prehensile tail would have a devastating impact on these types of animals. Let me know if you want me to keep looking into this for ya!

-Shanna
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*Yes, I am the chick in the pic!" ;)

[Rickeezee]

Right I see, thats very interesting and it does make sense. So the result of the detailed poor usbandry is that they develop muscular atrophy of the tail joint.

Thanks Shanna your a star!
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[Thomas Shanta]

One of adult female Standingi done this,looks abit strange but never seamed to bother her much though.