the albino leopard geckos Ive seen dont have red eyes?

[DeadIrishD]

in most pictures of albino leopard geckos that I have seen, seem to have normal coloration in there eyes, but they do seem to lack pigment? cowincidence or not?

 

[xelda]

There are three strains of albinism in leopard geckos: Tremper, Rainwater (aka Las Vegas), and Bell. Trempers have kind of a pinkish tint to their eyes (some pinker than others) while Rainwater eyes are more greyish with some red streaks. Bell eyes are in a world of their own; they're a yellow color with red flecks. Only the Bells have an overall distinct red tone to their eyes.

This isn't the best shot, but here's one of my Bells.

 

[Beardo]

If you want to get super technical....there is no such thing as an "albino" reptile. Albinism refers to the complete lack of pigment. The correct term for "albino" herps is 'amelanistic' which means that they lack melanin, or black pigment.

 

[jmadams]

I saw on Jeff Corwin once a "albino" crock. It was all white and had deep red eyes. It was in a zoo. Would that still be considered amelanistic, or would that be albino since it had no dark pigment at all, even in the eyes.

 

[DeadIrishD]

oh, I was just wondering since Nickis gecko seems to have the "albino" coloration, but with black eyes when I get a better cam I'll post pictures as I have a nice african fat tailed gecko that I'd like to show off, as its quite beautiful, and kitten tame too

 

[xelda]

If you want to get super technical....there is no such thing as an "albino" reptile. Albinism refers to the complete lack of pigment. The correct term for "albino" herps is 'amelanistic' which means that they lack melanin, or black pigment.

You're correct in that albinism refers to lack of pigment. For humans, that denotes amelanism, melanin being the only pigment we produce. BUT! For reptiles, melanin is one of three pigments in their skin. The other two are xanthin and erythrin. Hence, anerythristic corns are called "black albinos." Technically, they ARE albinos because they lack red pigment. Albinism doesn't necessarily mean a total lack of pigment; it's more like significantly reduced pigment. Even albino humans still have some melanin; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to survive.

 

[DeadIrishD]

so though the gecko does not have to have red eyes to be albino? :?

 

[Bigboy]

I think you're referring to a leucistic gecko rather than an albino gecko. A leucistic leopard gecko will be colorless except for it's eyes which will retain their jet black pigments.