Leopard Gecko Adaptations - III

Survival in the Desert


The definition of a desert is a biome which lacks precipitation, meaning the desert is a dry place indeed. For this reason the Leopard Gecko is required to conserve as much water as possible for a greater chance of survival in this kind of environment. They do this by excreting nitrogen as uric acid as a solid mix with very small amounts of water. The conversion of ammonia and the synthesis of uric acid is a complicated energy requiring process. To be put simply, their wee is solid. Their skin is also thick to prevent dehydration and they have evolved to become a nocturnal species to avoid the heat of day. As a consequence they have also developed a keen sense of sight so they may seek out food in low light conditions.

To combat food shortages, their fat reserves are stored in their tails which means they can survive through long periods of famine. Fat stored in the tail is preferred to fat stored in the main body because it does not impair the animals´ movement as much.


Facts about Leopard Gecko Reproduction


Female Leopard Geckos have the ability to retain sperm for up to a year. This adaptation is useful if the female is unable to find a suitable mate. Leopard Geckos will also actively breed for most months of the year which aids to boost the species population. Leopard Geckos are oviparous, depositing up to several clutches of 1-2 egg(s) on monthly intervals. This increases the likelihood of at least some of the eggs successfully hatching, for the reason that if all the eggs are laid together, all will suffer if the conditions in that area are not suitable or if a predator were to find them, all would be at risk. The gestation period of the eggs is approximately 45-60 days depending on the temperature they were incubated at. As their natural environment is relatively warm, the embryos´ develop at a fairly quick pace.

A Leopard Geckos gender is determined by the temperature they are incubated at.

The incubation of females requires a temperature of 72-82°F
The incubation of males requires a temperature of 87-88°F

Temperatures between 84 and 86°F should produce a mix of both male and female.

This process of sex determination via temperature is known as Temperature dependant Sex Determination (TSD). There has been no conclusive evidence regarding the evolutionary advantage of TSD as to date, though there have been speculations made to try and explain this unusual adaptation including sexual dimorphism and predator evasion strategies.

During the breeding season, males will use the Jacobson´s organ to detect pheromones secreted from the skin of females when they are ready to reproduce. They do this by tongue flicking or ´labial licking´ in order to sample the air for chemicals.

Male Leopard Geckos are aggressive towards each other, this ensures only the strongest and most competitive is able to pass on his genes. As a result, this species of gecko shows a degree of sexual dimorphism (physical differences between males and females). As males have evolved to compete with one another they have broader heads, more suitable for fighting than females, and bulkier bodies, though these characteristics do not surface until the animal has matured.



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