Crested geckos are amazing reptiles that make great pets for beginners and experts alike. They are easy to care for, have a lot of personality, and come in a wide range of colors and patterns. These variations are called morphs, and they are one of the most fascinating aspects of crested gecko keeping.
In this guide, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to the different types of crested gecko morphs, their characteristics, and their genetics. We will also show you some of the most popular and rare crested gecko morphs, and what the future holds for these incredible creatures.
By the end of this, you will have a better understanding of crested gecko morphs and how to identify them. You will also learn some tips and tricks on how to find and care for your own crested gecko of any morph. So, let's get started!
Table of Contents
What are Crested Gecko Morphs?
A morph is a term used to describe the color and pattern variation of an animal within the same species. It is not the same as a breed or a subspecies, which are genetically distinct groups of animals that can interbreed. A morph is simply a visual difference that does not affect the ability of the animal to mate with others of its kind.
Crested gecko morphs are not determined by genetics but by environmental factors and random mutations. This means that two crested geckos of the same morph can produce offspring of different morphs, and vice versa. It also means that crested gecko morphs are not officially recognized or categorized by science, but by hobbyists and breeders who use their own criteria and terminology.
Some of the factors that influence crested gecko morphs are:
- Temperature: The temperature at which the eggs are incubated can affect the color and pattern of the hatchlings. Higher temperatures tend to produce darker and more patterned geckos, while lower temperatures tend to produce lighter and less patterned geckos.
- Humidity: The humidity level of the enclosure can affect the color and pattern of the geckos as well. Higher humidity can enhance the color and contrast of the geckos, while lower humidity can dull them.
- Diet: The diet of the geckos can also affect their color and pattern. Some foods can enhance or change the color of the geckos, while others can reduce it. For example, foods rich in carotenoids, such as carrots, papaya, and mango, can increase the orange and red tones of the geckos, while foods low in carotenoids, such as crickets, can decrease them.
- Stress: The stress level of the geckos can also affect their color and pattern. Stress can cause the geckos to lose or change their color, especially if they are exposed to predators, parasites, diseases, or overcrowding. Stress can also cause the geckos to fire up or fire down, which means to change their color intensity depending on their mood and activity level.
- Age: The age of the geckos can also affect their color and pattern. As the geckos grow and shed their skin, they can develop new colors and patterns, or lose or change their existing ones. This is especially common during the first year of life when the geckos undergo several color changes.
How to Identify Crested Gecko Morphs?
The main features that are used to identify crested gecko morphs are.
Base color
The base color is the dominant color of the gecko's body, excluding the head, tail, and limbs. It can range from light to dark, and from warm to cool tones. Some of the common base colors and their names are:
| Base Color | Name |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Yellow |
| Orange | Orange |
| Red | Red |
| Pink | Pink |
| Brown | Brown |
| Tan | Tan |
| Cream | Cream |
| White | White |
| Gray | Gray |
| Black | Black |
| Green | Green |
| Blue | Blue |
Pattern
The pattern is the secondary color or colors that contrast with the base color and create different shapes and designs on the gecko's body. It can cover more or less of the body, and be more or less defined. Some of the common patterns and their names are:
| Pattern | Name |
|---|---|
| No pattern | Patternless |
| Two colors | Bi-color |
| Stripes | Tiger |
| Flames | Flame |
| Spots | Dalmatian |
| Diamonds | Diamond |
| Triangles | Harlequin |
| Patches | Brindle |
Contrast
The contrast is the difference in brightness and saturation between the base color and the pattern. It can range from low to high, and affect the visibility and attractiveness of the morph. Some of the common contrast levels and their names are:
| Contrast | Name |
|---|---|
| Low | Low |
| Medium | Medium |
| High | High |
| Extreme | Extreme |
Other traits
The other traits are the additional features that add more uniqueness and diversity to the morph. They can be related to the color, the pattern, or the structure of the gecko. Some of the common other traits and their names are:
| Other Trait | Name |
|---|---|
| White spots | Pinstripe |
| White edges | White fringe |
| White eyelashes | Eyelash |
| White mouth | Whiteout |
| White body | Lily white |
| No pigment | Axanthic |
| No pattern | Solid |
| No eyelids | Phantom |
To identify a crested gecko morph, you need to look at all these features and combine them into a descriptive name. For example, a crested gecko with a yellow base color, a flame pattern, a high contrast, and a pinstripe trait would be called a yellow flame pinstripe. A crested gecko with a gray base color, no pattern, a low contrast, and an eyelash trait would be called a gray patternless eyelash.
Related Reads:
Can Crested Geckos Live Together? | Cohabitation Pros and Cons
What are the Most Popular Crested Gecko Morphs?
Selective breeding is the process of choosing and mating crested geckos with specific traits to produce offspring with the desired characteristics. Selective breeding is used to create new and unique crested gecko morphs, as well as to improve the quality and consistency of existing ones.
Some crested gecko morphs are more popular and expensive than others, depending on their rarity, beauty, and demand. Some of the most popular crested gecko morphs are:
Lavender Crested Gecko
Creamsicle Crested Gecko
Super Dalmatian Crested Gecko
Halloween Crested Gecko
Lily White Crested Gecko
Axanthic Crested Gecko
Tri-color Crested Gecko
Pinstripe Crested Gecko
Phantom Crested Gecko
Mocha Crested Gecko
What are the Future Possibilities for Crested Gecko Morphs?
Crested gecko breeding is not an exact science, but an art that involves a lot of trial and error, luck, and patience. There are many challenges and limitations that breeders face when trying to create new and exciting crested gecko morphs, such as:
- Unpredictability: Crested gecko morphs are not genetically predictable, but environmentally influenced and randomly mutated. This means that the outcome of a breeding pair is never guaranteed, and can vary greatly from one clutch to another. Breeders have to rely on their experience, intuition, and observation to select the best candidates for breeding and hope for the best results.
- Inbreeding: Crested gecko morphs are not genetically diverse, but genetically similar. This means that there is a high risk of inbreeding, which can lead to health issues, deformities, and reduced fertility. Breeders have to avoid breeding related geckos and introduce new bloodlines from time to time to maintain genetic diversity and vigor.
- Health issues: Crested gecko morphs are not genetically perfect, but genetically flawed. This means that some morphs can carry or develop genetic disorders, diseases, or defects that can affect their quality of life and longevity. Breeders have to monitor the health and well-being of their geckos, and cull or treat any sick or defective ones.
Despite these challenges and limitations, breeders are constantly working on new and potential breeding projects that aim to create new and exciting crested gecko morphs. Some of these projects are.
Leucistic Crested Gecko
Hypomelanistic Crested Gecko
Melanistic Crested Gecko
A melanistic crested gecko has no black pigment, resulting in a bright body, usually with a vivid pattern. It is one of the most colorful and eye-catching morphs, as it enhances the color and contrast of the gecko. Melanistic crested geckos are often confused with albino crested geckos, which have no pigment and red eyes. They are moderately difficult to produce, as they require two copies of the gene to express the trait.
Blue Crested Gecko
Albino Crested Gecko
Piebald Crested Gecko
Conclusion
Crested gecko morphs are one of the most rewarding and exciting aspects of crested gecko keeping, as they offer endless possibilities and variations. Whether you are looking for a specific morph, or just want to admire the variety and splendor of crested gecko morphs, you will never be bored or disappointed with these amazing animals.
We hope that this guide has given you a better understanding of crested gecko morphs and how to identify them, So please, feel free to share your feedback, questions, and experiences with us in the comments section below. Thank you for reading and happy crested gecko keeping!
Additional Resource
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about crested gecko morphs, based on the people also ask section from Google:
What is the rarest crested gecko morph?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different morphs have different levels of rarity, availability, and demand. However, some of the morphs that are considered to be very rare and valuable are: Lavender, Lily White, Axanthic, Blue, Albino.
How do you identify crested gecko morphs?
To identify a crested gecko morph, you need to look at four main features: Base color, Pattern, and Contrast. You can then combine these features into a descriptive name, such as yellow flame pinstripe, gray patternless eyelash, etc.
What are the most popular crested gecko morphs?
Some of the most popular crested gecko morphs are: Creamsicle, Super Dalmatian, Halloween, Tri-color, and Pinstripe.
What are the future possibilities for crested gecko morphs?
Crested gecko morphs are constantly evolving and expanding, thanks to the creativity and passion of the breeders and the enthusiasts. Some of the future possibilities for crested gecko morphs are: Leucistic, Hypomelanistic, Amelanistic, and Piebald.
How many different morphs of crested geckos are there?
There is no exact number of how many different morphs of crested geckos are there, as new morphs are constantly being created and discovered by breeders and enthusiasts. However, some estimates suggest that there are over 100 different morphs of crested geckos, and more are being added every year.
What is my crested gecko?
To identify your crested gecko, you need to look at its base color, pattern, contrast, and other traits, and combine them into a descriptive name. For example, if your crested gecko has a yellow base color, a flame pattern, a high contrast, and a pinstripe trait, it would be called a yellow flame pinstripe.
Are crested geckos rare?
Crested geckos are not rare in general, as they are widely bred and kept as pets around the world. However, some crested gecko morphs are rarer and more valuable than others, depending on their availability, demand, and difficulty to produce. Some of the rarest crested gecko morphs are lavender, lily white, axanthic, blue, and albino.
Are there blue crested geckos?
Yes, there are blue crested geckos, but they are very rare and elusive. Blue crested geckos have a blue base color, usually with a pattern. They are not genetically blue, but rather have a color perception issue that makes them appear blue under certain lighting and temperature conditions. Blue crested geckos are often confused with lavender crested geckos, which have a purple base color.