One of the more popular searches is for Tangerine Leopard Geckos. These are bright-coloured leopard geckos that can create a striking appearance. However, what is a Tangerine leopard gecko, how do you breed them and what health concerns are there?
What is a Tangerine Leopard Gecko?
A tangerine leopard gecko is an individual that has some orange or tangerine hue on it. Technically speaking, the Tangerine can be on any part of the body, head and tail included.
There are several different varieties of tangerine leopard geckos. For example in the US, the tangerine originated in leopard geckos with the colour on the body whereas, in European collections, the colour was first observed on the tail (carrot-tail).
Yet both versions can be considered Tangerine. And the shade of the orange isn’t indicative either. As long as there is a small portion of orange/tangerine on the individual, they can be referred to as a Tangerine.
This can be confusing, especially with low-expression individuals.
How do you Breed a Tangerine Leopard Gecko?
Tangerine is not a morph, it is a polygenic trait. Therefore, individuals with no parents of Tangerine ancestry could display the attribute, and those with parents who both display it could not.
If you’re looking to breed Tangerine leopard geckos it is much better to have at least one parent with the trait displaying. This can increase the chances but it doesn’t guarantee success.
Combinations with Tangerine Leopard Geckos
Numerous combinations can combine the Tangerine leopard geckos with other morphs and traits. Some traits like the Eclipse don’t tend to interact and while the combination is possible, it is not something that on its own, is something that is particularly sought after.
A good combination is with the Tremper Albino and the Super Hypo. When combined with the Tangerine you can get some stunning Sunglows which look almost completely orange and have albino eyes. We’ve got a Sunglow breeding female and have successfully bred several Sunglows ourselves.
Another combination is the Super Hypo (no spots) with the Tangerine trying to achieve the baldy and carrot tail. This combination is known as the SHTCTB or Super Hypo Tangerine Carrot Tail. These are stunning but the true colours of this type can take months after hatching to display.
A new combination that is appearing is the Tangerine Mack Snow. This combination is harder to achieve because of the natural tendency of the Mack Snow to dull the colour of the gecko. However, there are some breeders (including us and BHB in the US) who’ve managed to get this to work. It does seem to be a random event, but it might be good to keep an eye on this combination in the future.
There are also combinations where you can mix the trait with other albino strains or patternless.
Any Breeding Issues with the Tangerine Leopard Gecko Trait?
There are no known breeding issues that are a direct response to the trait. Sometimes, breeders will mix the siblings or parents with offspring to enhance the colour. While reptiles are more likely to inbreed, there are some risks to this and it is highly recommended not to inbreed.
Inbreeding can cause significant issues down the line. But most responsible breeders will not do this. You can always ask for the heritage of both the individual when you want to buy a gecko and that of its parents. If the breeder has bred both parents, you can also ask whether they are related.
How Much Does a Tangerine Leopard Gecko Cost?
The Tangerine leopard gecko costs just above average if it is on its own. But the costs can rise when it is combined with other genes. For most breeders, the more genes and the more complicated those genes and morphs are to breed, the higher the cost.
But there are also other factors. For instance, the popularity of a morph, the availability of the morph, the reputation of the breeder, and other aspects will affect the price considerably.
Final Word: What is a Tangerine Leopard Gecko?
The Tangerine leopard gecko is an excellent morph and one that is worthwhile. It makes a great option for those looking for a new pet for the family or as part of a wider breeding project. Their costs aren’t too expensive and Tangerine leopard gecko care is no different than other leopard geckos. Therefore, they are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a leopard gecko.
