As it’s more commonly known, “tail dropping” is a natural occurrence in Leopard Geckos and many other lizards. This doesn’t mean to say you should ignore it and wait for your Geckos tail to grow back.
Does it hurt a leopard gecko to lose its tail?
Tail dropping hasn’t been proven to be a painful experience for the Leopard Gecko, however it is the result of a high stress situation which will obviously supersede any other sensations as it is a survival instinct manoeuvre. Your Leo will be in a panic looking for cover under a rock or in a hide the moment this happens.
Secondly, you have the tail to consider when this happens. When the tail drops at a situation being dangerous, as Mother Nature has gifted it a smart little move to get away. The tail once it has detached will still be wiggling away for up to a minute afterwards, hopefully in the mouth of the predator it was designed to hoodwink into thinking that it had the whole creature. This is why the Leopard Gecko runs away the moment this happens. Isn’t Nature wonderful!
So what the first thing to do when a Leopard gecko drops its tail?
There are physical implications connected with this tail dropping phenomenon. This is why you must take action immediately when this happens.
The Leopard Geckos tail stores all the fat and energy reserves, so losing it will mean these reserves have to be built back up. Not only this, but a Leopard Geckos tail can make up nearly a quarter of its entire body mass.
Such a loss means a gecko has to alter its profile and has to change the way it moves around by hugging the ground because of the shift in balance.
This can be a very stressful time for your Leopard Gecko, so don’t be surprised if they behave erratically when it first happens. Hence, you must allow your Gecko to calm down for around 30 minutes before handling it, ensuring you keep a close eye on it during this period.
The exception to this rule will be if your Gecko is kept in a vivarium with a mixture such as sand, which could easily get into the wound and possibly cause infection. You can move them to a safer place in these circumstances, such as a spare vivarium, where the wound can’t get dirty.
Give it Some Alone Time
If you haven’t already, once your lizard has calmed down, you’ll need to move them to a new clean place, either another vivarium or if you’re using the same one, make sure you clean it out first and remove any loose substrate and replace it with kitchen roll or paper towels for the duration of the healing period. Make sure you frequently replace the paper towels and steer clear of using any loose substrate to avoid infection.
During the healing phase, your Gecko is vulnerable, so it’s vitally important he should be kept alone and not housed with any other lizards. The importance of having a spare vivarium with places of solitude such as hides becomes all too apparent in situations like this. Try to place the Leopard Gecko in a place where they will not experience much noise and feel safe. This will help speed up recovery. It may also be a good idea to remove anything that allows your Gecko to climb. Without a tail to help them balance, this act of normal daily activity may not end well.
The Importance of Food in the Healing Process.
Remember, the loss of its tail has had an adverse effect on your Geckos fat reserves, so it’s important that they are kept well fed. Not only do they need to be fed regularly because they have no reserves to fall back on they also need the energy to grow a new tail.
You can feed wax worms but ensure you do so sparingly. and mix it up with other food sources. Although they are great for weight gain, they’re also very high in fat, and your Leopard Gecko may become addicted to them. Calcium plays a major role in wound healing, especially in the later stages, so you must provide your Gecko with enough of this mineral.
It’s probably best to avoid feeding your Leopard Gecko crickets during this period. These insects have a habit of gnawing away at exposed parts of a Geckos body, such as eyelids, toes, and in this case, open wounds.
Locusts, hoppers, and mealworms are safer options, but if you do insist on providing crickets, only give them one or two at a time and watch that they eat them there and then, or else remove them.
Hopefully, your Gecko will recover fully without any complications, but always keep a watchful eye out for such things as oozing, swelling, and any redness, as these are likely to be signs of infection. Never hesitate to take your Leopard Gecko to your local vet if you notice any of these symptoms or if you have any other concerns associated with the healing process.
Summing Up
Prevention is always better than cure, so it’s important that you try and find out why your Gecko decided to drop his tail in the first place. It could be that you or someone else picked it up roughly or by the tail, causing the Gecko to feel threatened.
If your Leopard Gecko lives among other Geckos, then a fight could have taken place. If you find other wounds on your Gecko, then you know that you have to change the dynamic in the tank before it occurs again.
Other pets could also be the culprit. Curiosity could have got the better of your dog or cat, and their close presence could have caused your Gecko to feel threatened. Whatever the cause, as long as you follow the guidelines and give your Leopard Gecko the love and attention it needs at this time, everything should be fine, and your Gecko will regenerate a healthy new tail. Albeit somewhat different looking, but as healthy as before. “Consider it an upgrade, Baby!”
