Chameleon Loco
New Member
I just found out that this morph of leopard gecko is prone to problems. Could somebody with more information explain this to me and also why is it that only this morph has these problems?
Enigma Leopard Geckos
- Thread starter Chameleon Loco
- Start date
Txherp
New Member
This is what Ron Tremper says on his website.
The ENIGMAS also can display a physical defect in the form of shaking, spinning and/or head arching. The exact reason for this behavior is still largely unknown, but it is seen to a lesser degree in young whereby only one parent is an ENIGMA. ENIGMAS bred to each other may amplify this problem. Some ENIGMAS do not display any problems whatsoever while others reveal abnormal movements only when they are disturbed.
It is possible that this problem can be bred out of this unique morph over time, but as seen in Spider ball pythons, it may be something that will always be present and not an overall health risk. In my opinion, the positive results seen in recent years greatly outweigh any downside.
The ENIGMAS also can display a physical defect in the form of shaking, spinning and/or head arching. The exact reason for this behavior is still largely unknown, but it is seen to a lesser degree in young whereby only one parent is an ENIGMA. ENIGMAS bred to each other may amplify this problem. Some ENIGMAS do not display any problems whatsoever while others reveal abnormal movements only when they are disturbed.
It is possible that this problem can be bred out of this unique morph over time, but as seen in Spider ball pythons, it may be something that will always be present and not an overall health risk. In my opinion, the positive results seen in recent years greatly outweigh any downside.
Strange I just read about the Spider Balls and the head movements last night. interesting
lindseymeder16
New Member
I own a Sunglow Bell Enigma. She showed enigma syndrome really bad when she was younger. I talked to numerous breeders at a reptile show and on the leopard gecko forums and they told me to put her in a smaller cage, get her a 'play mate', and darken up the cage. So, I put her and another female leo (same size and age as my enigma girl) in a 10 gal and tinted the sides. I also stopped feeding crickets and only put in mealworms. Another thing I was told to do was to have the UTH on one side of the cage and on the opposite have a 40-60 wtt light bulb shineing in and to make sure that the food and water was in between the light and the UTH. Since I have made these approvements, my enigma girl has been thriveing.
During her signs of enigma syndrome - star gazing and not eating. (she looked alot skinnier in person than in this pic). About 3 months old. She hand't eaten in two months when this pic was taken in Early October/ Late September 2011.
The beginning of January 2012
She doesn't like bright light but she has gotten much better with it. I use to take her out of her cage and she wouldn't even open her eyes.
I think that Enigma Syndrome is just something to be knowledgeable about and you should be weary of it before planning on getting one. I hadn't even heard of the syndrome when I bought my girl and was furious when I found out about it because she was my first leo and I didn't plan on getting on that would require extra needs. But other than that, she is my sweetest leo and Enigmas are in my opinion one of the coolest morphs and if you are up with the threat of the syndrome than you should go for it. It really isn't that hard to cure/help. It's more of whether you have the time to do it or if you want to do it.
Also, since she has been thriveing with my other female I have moved them to a 20 gallon and when they get a little bit bigger they will be shareing a 50 gallon. Keep in mind that Enigmas do well with another leo and as long as the cage has enough hideing spots for them to be alone then they will most likely be OK liveing together but you shuld always keep and eye on them.
I know that if you are going to breed Enigmas you need to be aware that the off spring will have a higher risk of getting the syndrome. It's basically like if your parents both have brown hair then their babies will more than likely have brown hair aswell. You can't be a reputeable breeder and sell Enigmas that are showing Enigma Syndrome at the time of birth or during their time in your care.
During her signs of enigma syndrome - star gazing and not eating. (she looked alot skinnier in person than in this pic). About 3 months old. She hand't eaten in two months when this pic was taken in Early October/ Late September 2011.
The beginning of January 2012
She doesn't like bright light but she has gotten much better with it. I use to take her out of her cage and she wouldn't even open her eyes.
I think that Enigma Syndrome is just something to be knowledgeable about and you should be weary of it before planning on getting one. I hadn't even heard of the syndrome when I bought my girl and was furious when I found out about it because she was my first leo and I didn't plan on getting on that would require extra needs. But other than that, she is my sweetest leo and Enigmas are in my opinion one of the coolest morphs and if you are up with the threat of the syndrome than you should go for it. It really isn't that hard to cure/help. It's more of whether you have the time to do it or if you want to do it.
Also, since she has been thriveing with my other female I have moved them to a 20 gallon and when they get a little bit bigger they will be shareing a 50 gallon. Keep in mind that Enigmas do well with another leo and as long as the cage has enough hideing spots for them to be alone then they will most likely be OK liveing together but you shuld always keep and eye on them.
I know that if you are going to breed Enigmas you need to be aware that the off spring will have a higher risk of getting the syndrome. It's basically like if your parents both have brown hair then their babies will more than likely have brown hair aswell. You can't be a reputeable breeder and sell Enigmas that are showing Enigma Syndrome at the time of birth or during their time in your care.
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