Special Needs Cresteds

[JacksPythons]

I just purchased two crested geckos that were labeled as "Special Needs" due to birth defects (caused by poor incubation temperatures).

The first, which I call Lemon Drop, has a small head, and a very underdeveloped lower jaw, resulting in a massive overbite.

The second, which I call Zig Zag, is a bit larger than Lemon Drop (I would assume due to eating more easily). He has scoliosis and a noticeable bend in his spine. His back toes are also slightly curled all the time.

Both are still quite young, and haven't calmed down enough to allow proper handling yet, which makes further examination hard.

I currently plan to mash up crickets and mix with a small amount of repashy for Lemon Drop, eliminating the need for him to chew/chase food.

For Zig Zag, I'm not worried about him chewing, but I don't want his scoliosis to worsen, so I'll be dusting the crickets in calcium.

If anyone had further advice for me on how to care properly for these geckos, please let me know!

Thank you for your time.

[JacksPythons]

Lemon Drop from below


Zig Zag from above

[JaredJEstes]

Very pretty! I would imagine you treat them the same as others, with extra care and extra food/calcium available.

[JacksPythons]

Extra calcium makes sense, but I'm still slightly worried. How should I handle it if Lemon Drop has problems eating? I thought that using a dropper/syringe to help the food into his mouth would work, but I'd like other opinions.

[JaredJEstes]

I really don't know/am not a specialist. But, my dude: Cuetzpalli is usually most active around 12pm-1am and later. I don't know about you but I am only up on weekends or days off at this time (so I don't watch him eat firsthand). I think that's usually when he eats, as that's when he's active. When I look at the food dish the next day there is less Repashy.

Is Lemon Drop already not eating? Repashy must be easier to eat than fruit/crickets, so I assume that's the best way to go. Did the previous owner/breeder/person mention anything? Lemon Drop might be smaller naturally from birth, not just the disability with the jaw. I would take the crickets out and stick to the Repashy for now.

I hope this helps in some way.

[JaredJEstes]

Oh, in addition females are known to be a bit smaller. Though, I can't tell from those pictures their gender.

[JacksPythons]

That makes sense. I added some repashy last night, and there seems to be less now, but since they're housed together I don't know who ate. I suppose I'll just keep a careful eye on Lemon Drop's weight.

Zig Zag is definitely a male. I'm not sure about Lemon Drop, but if he stays a bit smaller and doesn't develop male "signs" then I may separate them. Even though they're siblings, I don't want to risk eggs.

Thank you for the advice, Jared.

[JaredJEstes]

No problem! I hope this works OK and you should keep us/me updated with pics! On that note though, I have one more comment: It's generally recognized as not a good idea to house two males together. So, if yours are both males, this could also be contributing to Lemon Drop's issues...

Here is just one of a number of sites on this: http://www.freewebs.com/alliescresti...emtogether.htm

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We don't want Lemon Drop to get hurt more!

[JacksPythons]

If I moved them into a 20 gallon tank with a divider, would that be sufficient for keeping them both safe?

[JaredJEstes]

I assume so. Again I'm not an expert. But, as long as they are separated they won't breed/won't fight depending on gender. I suppose since they have special issues that it would be more dangerous to climb... Yet, cresties love tall tanks to climb in, so the bigger the better, naturally. In their natural habitat they live in these awesome Banyan trees. So, they are used to having lots of tall space! I assume, the best thing for your cresties is to reinvent this experience. I mean even if they have issues they are going to want to climb. It sounds like you care and I'm sure you'll do the best to meet their needs! Good luck! Again, I would love pics!