Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Jackie · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject: Gargoyle geckos and Autotomy....

On Friday evening I put together two stripe Gargoyle geckos. I have bred from the female before and she is usually quite placid (for a gargoyle..lol). I came into my room late Sunday evening to find the female with the male's tail in her mouth. Before I could do anything he dropped his tail (autotomy) and scarpered. This is the first time I've witnessed this happen and I have to admit I was initially quite shocked but it was interesting at the same time. I found it amazing how quickly and efficiently the tail came away. The stubby end almost immediately stopped bleeding. I put him back in his own viv and he seems ok after his ordeal (feeding normally).

I did manage to take some images (male had ran off by this point).
Don't look if you don't like blood.

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Best wishes, Jackie

3:4 Eublepharis macularius
1:0 Gekko gecko
3:4:1 R. auriculatus
1:3 R. ciliatus
1:1 R. chahoua
1:1 R. leachianus henkeli

negri · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 585

nice pics , well caught

did she eat it ?
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And a Fish Called George...

Jackie · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 3:18 pm Post subject:

Yup. When I put pairs together I keep them well fed. Obviously not enough...lol.
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Best wishes, Jackie

3:4 Eublepharis macularius
1:0 Gekko gecko
3:4:1 R. auriculatus
1:3 R. ciliatus
1:1 R. chahoua
1:1 R. leachianus henkeli

lol93 · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject:

It's amazing how close to the tail base the tail came off! Great pics Jackie.
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quasimodo · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject:

That will teach him not to try THAT again when she is not in the mood Wink

Sue

PaulG · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject:

Nice pics, I dont like them with no tails though.
Good source of calcium though Wink

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Regards, Paul.

:.Rhacodactylus.:.Eublepharis.:.Stenodactylus.:.Nephrurus.:

Jackie · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject:

Thank you

Gargoyles regenerate their tails. Although they aren't as pretty as the original.
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Best wishes, Jackie

3:4 Eublepharis macularius
1:0 Gekko gecko
3:4:1 R. auriculatus
1:3 R. ciliatus
1:1 R. chahoua
1:1 R. leachianus henkeli

Dracowoman2 · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:07 pm Post subject:

Amazing Pics Jackie, never seen pics like that before and I can understand your fascination. I've heard about females doing this to increase their food intake when breeding, and it;s a good thing his tail will grow back Very Happy

How are your leachies doing by the way after their mating?
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"Life without animals isn't life, they give much and take little"

Claire

reptileparadise · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:13 am Post subject:

Nice pictures!
Sad it happened...but thats just a part of keeping gargoyles I guess...
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*enthusiasm spreads like ripples on water*

Jackie · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 1:38 pm Post subject:

Thank you. I was upset when I saw it but there was nothing I could've done to stop her. The tail base is almost closed up now.
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Best wishes, Jackie

3:4 Eublepharis macularius
1:0 Gekko gecko
3:4:1 R. auriculatus
1:3 R. ciliatus
1:1 R. chahoua
1:1 R. leachianus henkeli