Leopard gecko problem

[Shogun]

The other day one of my leos dropped her tail, I couldnt find it anywhere, she is houses with another female, both are about 4 years old. I was not too worried about that but today, I noticed today she has a dark patch on her underside. It looks like a bruise and is about 2" long and comes up her side a bit. She is acting normally and eating well. I keep them on tile, and together in the same enclosure for over 3 years. I've seperated her now into a steralized enclosure on paper towel.

This is pretty rambling but I'm tired...so how worried should I be, any idea what it is?

 

[bugster]

bruise

A bruise is actually an accumulation of blood built up under the skin (leaking from capillaries that are broken, most often by mechanical damage). Therefore, the loss of an appendage as large as a tail would likely cause some bleeding/bruising that's fairly normal and I think that's what is happening with your gecko. Keep an eye on the bruise, but it should clear up in a bit as her body naturally resorbs the blood into her system just as it would with a human bruise. If it continues to grow, however, that indicates additional bleeding and may require attention.

 

[Shogun]

Thanks for the reply. It makes sense and I am hoping that is the problem.

One thing I ment to say but I was too tired to type coherintly was.

Is it normal for them to eat a dropped tail?

 

[bugster]

Is it normal for them to eat a dropped tail?

I haven't really heard of that happening before, but since you have them housed together it's very possible the other one saw the twitching tail and gulped it down as food. I wouldn't worry about it. . . protein is protein.

 

[Drachenjager]

I haven't really heard of that happening before, but since you have them housed together it's very possible the other one saw the twitching tail and gulped it down as food. I wouldn't worry about it. . . protein is protein.

yeah thats what Jeffery Dalmer said

 

[bugster]

Jeffrey Dalmer, huh? LOL!

I guess I pictured the other one ate it AFTER it was dropped, rather than cannibalistic attacks!! LOL!! That would change things, though.

I just figured a dropped tail twitching temporarily on the floor would look just like sth good to eat to any casual passer-by. Might've been gobbled without a second thought to moral concern about snacking on one's roommate.