Fears the Leopard Gecko Could become Extinct!

From the International News:


"World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) condemned efforts to capture and sell leopard gecko on World Animal Day on Friday, and vowed to play its part in the protection of this rare species which might otherwise become extinct.

The leopard gecko Eublepharis Macularis, locally known as Khin-khin, Korh-kirly is a ground dwelling lizard found in Afghanistan, north-western India, Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq. In Pakistan, it has been recorded from Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northern Punjab, Baluchistan and lower Sindh.

Unfortunately due to lack of awareness, it is being exported as demand for the species grows as pets. People living in mountainous areas and near the habitats of the leopard gecko capture and subsequently sell it to the middlemen based in Karachi. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the reptile is of lesser concern but increasing pressure on its population can push it towards endangerment. Uzma Khan, Director Biodiversity, WWF-Pakistan, speaking on the World Animal Day, requested the government, civil society, conservation organizations and the media to play their role in the conservation of this unique species and to create awareness among the public."

Adding to this, she pledged the formulation of tight rules regarding the export of unique species, including the leopard gecko. She stressed that “people should not harm the leopard gecko, as it is not poisonous, neither can it make anyone wealthier overnight. People should abstain from catching it and selling it for the sake of money. We need to take action otherwise the species can get endangered ultimately leading to its extinction.”

Leopard geckos are kept as reptile pets. Their small size, robustness, attractive colours and relatively easy care makes them a good beginner reptile pet overseas. Steps are needed for its conservation and people should refrain from this business, otherwise the species is unlikely to thrive. The leopard gecko inhabits rocky stony terrain, mudflats with sparse grass and bushes. It is gregarious; several lizards live in colonies in holes in the ground, under stones, and in crevices among rocks. The gecko is nocturnal, coming out just after sunset to go foraging and returning just before dawn. It hibernates from October to February.

 

 

 

 

Leopard Gecko Morphs - Variations of Color and Pattern in Leopard Geckos

The leopard gecko is one handsome lizard indeed. These unique animals are usually yellow with black dots, but may be found in a wide variety of color and pattern variations. Gecko breeders actively breed geckos for different colors and patterns, often resulting in some surprising looking animals.

There are a few terms we should cover quickly here: pattern, color and phase (or morph). By color, we mean the basic color of the gecko. For instance, yellow in the case of most leopard geckos. Pattern means the way that the black dots on the animal are arranged. Phase (or morph) covers the entire range of appearance traits that the gecko has been bred for.
A pet leopard gecko is one thing where you should choose based on appearance. You'll want to select a lizard which you find to be aesthetically appealing. There are many different leopard gecko morphs around to choose from. The following are some of the most popular morphs.
-Jungle Leopard: This is the first type of leopard gecko bred to have stripes. This is a varied phase which can produce some very unique-looking animals. There are two subcategories of this morph; "four eyed" and "bandit". The four eyed variety has two white spots, generally with a black dot in the center over each of its eyes. The bandit variety has a dark band between its eyes and over the nose, much like a bandit's mask.
-Albino /Amelanistic: These leopard geckos are off-white with pink eyes. There are many gecko owners who prize these reptiles for their unique look. There are regular albino geckos as well as Amelanistic (patternless) albino geckos available.
-Blizzard: These geckos are a variant which have no patterns. Their eyes may vary in color from black to blue and are found in colors including white, the rare and highly prized blue-black (midnight blizzard), yellow (banana blizzard), brown and even purple!
-Wild: This is the ordinary pattern seen in wild leopard geckos. These animals feature dark transverse bands across their body as well as 3-4 dark rings on their tail. They have dark spots on their head and body which may also be mixed with tan.
-Circle back: These geckos feature a black circle formed out of connected black dots on their backs.
-Striped: These attractive leopard geckos have a light colored stripe running all the way down their body from their head to tail.

If you'd like to have a pet leopard gecko, you have a lot of different choices of pattern and color. These are fun pets which can have a very unique look; remember that like any other pet, they need a healthy environment, proper care and plenty of love to do their best.

To read more about the various Leo Morphs-click on this link