Peanuts
New member
Hello everyone! I'm completely new to breeding herps. The only thing I've ever put much thought into before this was breeding tarantulas, and those are relatively straight forward. Rosehair F + Rosehair M = Rosehair babies!
I see that this is not so much the case in the herp-fandom. Although there are certain tarantulas with different morphs, it's nothing compared to this. I've spent the last 2 weeks doing research and I'll be honest, it's enough to make my head spin! The reason I'm considering a leo breeding project is BECAUSE of all of the diversity in coloration, and relative ease of care. (I've owned leos before, a while back. They're charming little lizards.)
I started my research with this helpful little article through urban gecko:
http://www.theurbangecko.com/introduction-reptile-genetics
With some of the terminologies explained, I turned my attention to the various different types of morphs. The leopard gecko wiki was particularly helpful there: http://www.leopardgeckowiki.com/
Still, so many of my questions go unanswered! I would greatly appreciate some answers, or even links to other helpful articles I could be looking into. Really, ANY HELP would be greatly appreciated. Even if it's something I haven't covered here.
1. How far back do you keep 'genetic track' of the offspring? I understand that of course you keep track, but when you're trying to 'define' a specific lizard, what do you call it? Do you refer to it carrying genes from it's grandparents? Or is it just the -looks- and it's parents' genes?
2. Please better explain 'Het'. I quote from the helpful urban gecko article, "Describes an animal that carries two different genes for a given trait. The animal will display the dominant trait it carries but will also carry the genetics for the recessive gene." I don't understand, I thought a trait was either dominant or recessive? -Pulls hair out-
3. Inbreeding vs. Linebreeding. I understand that inbreeding is mother to son, father to daughter. Linebreeding is aunt to nephew, grandfather to granddaughter? Please correct me if I'm wrong. Let's say that I'm starting with 3 geckos, 2 female 1 male. How safe is it to inbreed without having to introduce another line? I've read between every inbreed you should do one linebreed? I'm not sure. I'm reading so many different things. @_@
4. Also, I've read that certain types of leos are -BAD- to breed together? I've also heard that certain morphs have 'issues'. PLEASE enlighten me here.
5. Better explain 'co-dominant' genes and 'super'?
I know I'm asking a lot. And I don't expect one person to take the time out of their day to explain all of these things to me, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Like I said I've been doing so much research, but I'm having a hard time finding this stuff.
Also: Helpful articles for beginners? Link me please.
From the bottom of my heart, thanks!
I see that this is not so much the case in the herp-fandom. Although there are certain tarantulas with different morphs, it's nothing compared to this. I've spent the last 2 weeks doing research and I'll be honest, it's enough to make my head spin! The reason I'm considering a leo breeding project is BECAUSE of all of the diversity in coloration, and relative ease of care. (I've owned leos before, a while back. They're charming little lizards.)
I started my research with this helpful little article through urban gecko:
http://www.theurbangecko.com/introduction-reptile-genetics
With some of the terminologies explained, I turned my attention to the various different types of morphs. The leopard gecko wiki was particularly helpful there: http://www.leopardgeckowiki.com/
Still, so many of my questions go unanswered! I would greatly appreciate some answers, or even links to other helpful articles I could be looking into. Really, ANY HELP would be greatly appreciated. Even if it's something I haven't covered here.
1. How far back do you keep 'genetic track' of the offspring? I understand that of course you keep track, but when you're trying to 'define' a specific lizard, what do you call it? Do you refer to it carrying genes from it's grandparents? Or is it just the -looks- and it's parents' genes?
2. Please better explain 'Het'. I quote from the helpful urban gecko article, "Describes an animal that carries two different genes for a given trait. The animal will display the dominant trait it carries but will also carry the genetics for the recessive gene." I don't understand, I thought a trait was either dominant or recessive? -Pulls hair out-
3. Inbreeding vs. Linebreeding. I understand that inbreeding is mother to son, father to daughter. Linebreeding is aunt to nephew, grandfather to granddaughter? Please correct me if I'm wrong. Let's say that I'm starting with 3 geckos, 2 female 1 male. How safe is it to inbreed without having to introduce another line? I've read between every inbreed you should do one linebreed? I'm not sure. I'm reading so many different things. @_@
4. Also, I've read that certain types of leos are -BAD- to breed together? I've also heard that certain morphs have 'issues'. PLEASE enlighten me here.
5. Better explain 'co-dominant' genes and 'super'?
I know I'm asking a lot. And I don't expect one person to take the time out of their day to explain all of these things to me, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Like I said I've been doing so much research, but I'm having a hard time finding this stuff.
Also: Helpful articles for beginners? Link me please.
From the bottom of my heart, thanks!