The Carrot Head Leopard Gecko is a captivating reptile morph that has recently gained widespread popularity among Leopard Gecko enthusiasts. This morph is characterized by its striking orange or reddish head and tail, resulting from selective breeding practices that aim to produce animals with specific genetic traits.
This review will delve into the features, care requirements, and potential health concerns of the Carrot Head Leopard Gecko morph, providing expert insights for those interested in keeping these fascinating reptiles as pets.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts About Carrot Head Leopard Gecko
| Appearance: | As they mature, they keep the orange hue on their heads. |
| First Produced: | by Ron Tremper in 2002 |
| Rarity: | Average |
| Genetics: | Selected Phenotype |
| Price Range: | $200-$245 |
| How do you Breed a Carrot Head Leopard Gecko? | To produce a selected phenotype of Carrot Head Leopard Gecko, you would need to breed two leopard geckos that exhibit the desired trait. In this case, the trait you are looking for is the carrot head phenotype, which is characterized by a bright orange head and a dark body. |
| Combinations with a Carrot Head Leopard Geckos | Breeding two Carrot Head Leopard GeckosBreeding a Carrot Head Leopard Gecko with a normal (non-carrot head) Leopard GeckoBreeding a Carrot Head Leopard Gecko with a gecko that exhibits a different desired trait (such as a different color morph) |
| Issues with a Carrot Head Leopard Geckos | When compared to other morphs, they are more sensitive to light.Since they are nocturnal, you can miss out on seeing some of their interesting activities.They grow too stressed to be held for an extended period of time. |
| How Much Does a Calcite Leopard Geckos Cost? | $200-$245 |
Characteristics of a Carrot Head Leopard Gecko
The Carrot Head Leopard Gecko, also known as the Tangerine Leopard Gecko, is a color morph of the Leopard Gecko characterized by a bright orange head and a dark body. Ron Tremper developed this trait in 2002. Like the Baldy’s, this trait is a selected phenotype or lineage trait, often found in Tremper Albinos.
Genetic Traits
To produce a selected Carrot Head Leopard Gecko phenotype, you would need to breed two leopard geckos that exhibit the desired trait. In this case, the trait you are looking for is the carrot head phenotype, characterized by a bright orange head and a dark body.
To begin, you would need to locate two leopard geckos that exhibit the carrot head phenotype and are unrelated. It is important to use unrelated geckos to prevent inbreeding, which can lead to health problems and decreased fertility in offspring.
Selective breeding is often used in the Leopard Gecko hobby to produce animals with specific desired traits for the pet trade. It is important to carefully consider the potential health and welfare impacts of selective breeding and to follow ethical breeding practices to ensure the well-being of the animals involved.
Combinations for a Carrot Head Leopard Gecko
There are many possible combinations that you can use when breeding Carrot Head Leopard Geckos. Some possibilities include:
- Breeding two Carrot Head Leopard Geckos: This would increase the chances that the offspring will also exhibit the carrot head phenotype.
- Breeding a Carrot Head Leopard Gecko with a normal (non-carrot head) Leopard Gecko: This could result in some offspring exhibiting the carrot head phenotype, while others will have the normal appearance.
- Breeding a Carrot Head Leopard Gecko with a gecko that exhibits a different desired trait (such as a different color morph): This could result in offspring that exhibit both the carrot head phenotype and the other desired trait.
- Breeding two Leopard Geckos that exhibit different desired traits: This could result in offspring that exhibit a combination of both traits.
Habitat and Environment
As Pet Lover
To provide the best care for your Carrot Head leopard gecko, you should:
- Choose a secure, escape-proof enclosure large enough for the gecko to move around and explore.
- Provide a substrate, such as coconut coir, paper towels, or a reptile-specific substrate that is easy to clean and does not harbor harmful bacteria or parasites.
- Create a temperature gradient by using a heat lamp or ceramic heater to create a basking spot and provide hide boxes or other structures for the gecko to retreat to on the cooler side of the enclosure.
- Offer clean, fresh water at all times, and change the water and clean the dish regularly.
- Feed a diet of live insects, such as crickets, mealworms, or wax worms, along with a calcium supplement to support the gecko’s overall health.
As Breeder
As a breeder, providing the best possible care for your Carrot Head leopard geckos is important to ensure their health and well-being. To house your Carrot Head leopard geckos as a breeder, you should:
- Choose a secure, escape-proof enclosure large enough for the geckos to move around and explore. A 20-gallon tank is a good size for one or two adult leopard geckos.
- Create a temperature gradient by using a heat lamp or ceramic heater to create a basking spot and provide hide boxes or other structures for the geckos to retreat to on the cooler side of the enclosure.
- Feed a diet of live insects, such as crickets, mealworms, or wax worms, along with a calcium supplement to support the gecko’s overall health.
- Monitor the geckos closely for signs of illness or other health problems, and consult a veterinarian if necessary.
Food & Diet
You can give your Carrot Head Leopard gecko a variety of commercially available live insects, including locusts, wax worms, mealworms, butter worms, and crickets.
They enjoy insects very much and will surely love a tasty treat of moist, farm-raised crickets packed with vital nutrients. Despite this, you ought to refrain from giving them larger, wild-caught insects like cockroaches, butterflies, moths, and fireflies. Don’t ever give your gecko any fruits, either.
Final Thoughts
Carrot Head Leopard Geckos are generally docile and easy to handle, making them a good choice as a pet. They are also relatively easy to care for, as they have simple housing and diet requirements. Overall, the Carrot Head Leopard Gecko is a beautiful and interesting reptile that can make a rewarding pet for the right owner.