What Are the Different Gecko Morphs?

Geckos are small lizards that have been bred to produce an abundance of variations known as morphs, which is a color or a pattern that can vary within a species. Sometimes these differences occur in nature, and sometimes they are the result of selective breeding. There are many different kinds of geckos, but leopard geckos and crested geckos in particular have become popular pets that have a wide variety of gecko morphs. Some of the leopard gecko morphs are known as albinos, blizzards, tangerines, and jungles, while some popular crested gecko morphs are tigers, brindles, flames, and harlequins.

Normal leopard geckos have black spots on yellowish-brown skin. This coloration is the result of a dominant gene. Recessive genes occasionally cause gecko morphs with different color of skin. Due to the popularity of geckos as small pets, breeders have used selective breeding to create lines of gecko morphs with striking colors and patterns.

Albino geckos, also known as amelanistic, don’t have any black pigment. They also do not have dark markings or spots like a normal gecko, although they can display various colors and patterns. Unlike albinos of other species, a gecko isn’t required to have red eyes in order to be classified as an albino.

Blizzards are gecko morphs that don’t show any patterns. They are available in many colors, including white, purple, bluish-black, brown, and yellow. Some of them have blue eyes, and both their striking eye color and wide assortment of color variations have made the blizzard one of the most popular gecko morphs.

Tangerine geckos have a bright orange body with a different color tail. They rarely have any patterns on their bodies. When they do have markings, they are usually so muted that they are difficult to see.

Jungle geckos have been selectively bred to have exotic patterns and colors. They may have stripes, spots, or other patterns. Jungles are the only gecko morphs available that have diagonal stripes. They are also characterized by dark stripes on the tail that don’t go all the way around.

A tiger is a morph of the crested gecko. Tiger geckos have distinct stripes across their backs that continue down their sides. These stripes are usually a darker shade of their body color. A variant of the tiger gecko is the brindle morph. Brindles have more patterning, but their markings are more muted than the patterns on the tiger morphs.

A gecko morph refers to a specific genetic variation within a gecko species that results in different colors, patterns, or physical traits. These variations are often the result of selective breeding and can range from subtle color differences to dramatic pattern changes or even structural anomalies like leucism or albinism.

The number of gecko morphs is constantly increasing as breeders create new combinations. For popular species like the leopard gecko, there are over 100 recognized morphs. Each species has its own set of morphs, so the total number across all gecko species is in the hundreds and continues to grow as breeders experiment with genetics.

Among the most popular gecko morphs are the Leopard Gecko's Mack Snow, which has a pale, almost white appearance, and the Crested Gecko's Flame morph, characterized by a vibrant, flame-like pattern. The Piebald morph in various species is also highly sought after for its unique patches of color and lack of pigment.

Some gecko morphs can be associated with health issues. For example, the Enigma morph in leopard geckos can exhibit neurological problems known as Enigma Syndrome. It's important for breeders and owners to be aware of these potential issues and provide appropriate care for geckos with such special needs.

While most gecko morphs are the result of selective breeding in captivity, some morphs can occur naturally in the wild due to genetic mutations. However, these wild morphs are typically less common and less varied than those found in captive-bred populations, where breeders can specifically select for certain traits.

Breeders create new gecko morphs through selective breeding, which involves pairing geckos with desirable traits to produce offspring that exhibit those traits. Over multiple generations, breeders can enhance or combine these traits to develop new morphs. Genetic understanding and careful tracking of lineage are crucial in this process to ensure healthy and viable offspring.