Leslie Massey
Australian geckos, including crested geckos, leopard geckos, and chahoua geckos, exhibit colour-changing abilities. This phenomenon, known as firing up or firing down, involves the gecko's skin temporarily altering its pigmentation. The colour change can be influenced by various factors, such as mood, humidity, temperature, lighting, and the shedding cycle. While some colour variations may occur due to normal developmental changes or environmental adaptations, sudden or drastic colour changes could indicate an underlying health issue. Gecko owners are advised to monitor their pets' colour fluctuations and consult relevant resources or experts for guidance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Australian geckos | Crested gecko, Chahoua gecko, Leopard gecko, Blizzards, Bearded dragon |
| Colour change | Yes, due to mood, humidity, temperature, lighting, and the shedding cycle |
| Examples of colour change | Light brown to sky blue, pale pink to bright red, pastel green and pink to rusted red and dark green, bright yellow to mid to dark brown |
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What You'll Learn
Firing up and down
Some geckos, such as crested geckos, leopard geckos, and chahoua geckos, are known to change colour through a process called "firing up and down". This colour change can be influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions and the gecko's life stage.
Environmental conditions play a significant role in the "firing up and down" process of geckos. High humidity levels of around 70% can trigger colour changes in crested geckos. Additionally, temperature fluctuations can also cause geckos to fire up or down. For example, a temperature of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit can induce a colour change, while higher temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit should be avoided to prevent overheating. Lighting conditions also come into play, as geckos may fire up in low-light conditions, possibly as a mechanism to camouflage themselves from predators.
The life stage of a gecko can also contribute to colour changes. Hatchlings and juveniles often exhibit different shades compared to adults. As geckos mature, their colours may gradually shift over several months until they reach their final adult colour.
It's important to note that not all colour changes are normal, and some may indicate underlying health issues. However, geckos typically don't become entirely black when fired up, but their tails or toes may turn black. Additionally, during the shedding cycle, it is common for geckos to exhibit pale colours when fired down.
The "firing up and down" phenomenon is not limited to Australian geckos, but it is a fascinating aspect of gecko behaviour that can be influenced by a combination of environmental and intrinsic factors.
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Humidity, mood, temperature, and lighting
Geckos, including Australian geckos, can change colour due to several factors, including humidity, mood, temperature, and lighting. These colour changes are a form of camouflage, helping them to blend into their surroundings and avoid predators.
Humidity
Humidity plays a role in the colour change of geckos, particularly crested geckos. Higher humidity often occurs at night, along with low light conditions. This combination of factors influences the gecko's colour change, making them darker to hide from predators. Crested geckos are known to "fire up" in response to higher humidity, higher temperatures, and a lack of lighting.
Mood
The mood of a gecko can also influence its colour. For example, crested geckos and leopard geckos may exhibit colour changes due to stress or agitation, which can be caused by factors such as inadequate housing or improper handling. Additionally, during mating season, gargoyle geckos may display more vivid and pronounced colours to attract a mate.
Temperature
Temperature changes can cause geckos to alter their colours. In general, warmer temperatures lead to darker hues, while cooler temperatures result in paler and grayer colours. This colour change is linked to the gecko's ability to regulate its body heat and effectively camouflage in its surroundings. Leopard geckos, for instance, exhibit colour shifts with temperature changes, with yellow/orange morphs becoming richer when warm and white and yellow morphs darkening slightly when cool.
Lighting
Lighting conditions play a significant role in gecko colour change. Geckos can change colour in response to light intensity, with darker colours occurring in low light conditions. This is particularly important for nocturnal geckos, such as the Moorish gecko, which changes its dorsal colour based on background illumination. Additionally, quick changes in lighting can cause geckos to darken rapidly, and artificial lighting that mimics natural sunlight can enhance the colours of leopard geckos.
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Age and maturity
Geckos are unique in their ability to change the colour of their skin. While some geckos, like chameleons, can change their colour to blend in with their environment, others, like leopard geckos, may only change colour shades slightly as they mature. Leopard geckos, for example, may change colour until they are about a year to a year and a half old, when they reach full maturity. Similarly, crested geckos are born with bright orange or red colours, but their adult colour is usually established by the time they are a year old.
The colour of a gecko may also change as a result of the shedding process. During shedding, geckos may turn white or exhibit a lighter layer of white skin that is sloughed off. After shedding, they will regain their normal colour.
In addition to age and maturity, a gecko's colour can also be influenced by environmental factors, such as high humidity and temperature. Geckos may also change colour based on their mood.
While the colour of Australian geckos can vary, with some exhibiting shades of grey, yellow, green, orange, or pink, it is unclear whether they exhibit the same colour-changing abilities as other gecko species. Australian geckos are one of the most common lizards in Australia, and there are at least 60 endemic species, indicating a high level of diversity within this group.
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Shedding
While geckos do not change their colour completely, their hues can shift in response to various factors, including temperature, health, mood, and shedding cycles.
The shedding process in geckos can be influenced by several factors, including humidity. Maintaining appropriate humidity levels, typically between 80% and 95%, is crucial for geckos to shed properly. This can be achieved by misting the enclosure at least once a day and including a humid hide in the enclosure. Additionally, a dry period each day is essential to prevent mould, mildew, infections, and overhydration.
Stress can also impact the shedding process, causing geckos to fade to a paler colour as a self-defence mechanism. Ensuring optimal environmental conditions, such as proper lighting, nutrition, and minimising stress, can help promote healthy shedding and bring out the brightest colours in geckos.
It is important to monitor your gecko's colour during shedding, as some colour changes can indicate underlying health issues. For example, a black colour on the tail or toes of a gecko is a sign of necrosis, often caused by incomplete shedding, and requires immediate veterinary attention.
Overall, shedding is a natural process in geckos that can result in temporary colour changes, and by understanding and managing the various factors that influence shedding, owners can support the health and well-being of their geckos.
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Genetics
While research into the genetics of reptile coloration has historically lagged, recent progress has been made in understanding the genetics of coloration in reptiles, with a focus on the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius. Leopard geckos have been identified as an ideal model species for studying the genetic basis of phenotypic variation in reptiles due to their domestication, long breeding history, multiple genetic backgrounds, and ease of maintenance in captivity.
Leopard geckos display extensive variations in colour and pattern, with dozens of colour morphs established over the past 50 years. These colour morphs have well-characterized and documented inheritance patterns, and new colour and pattern variations are continually produced by the breeding community. One example of a genetic influence on coloration in leopard geckos is the "Lemon Frost" colour morph, which is associated with hypomelanism and results in a bluish or purplish appearance.
Crested geckos also exhibit colour changes, both as they age and in response to environmental triggers, in a process known as "firing up" or "firing down." While the specific genes involved in this colour change have not been explicitly mentioned, it is influenced by factors such as humidity, temperature, and lighting conditions.
The colour change in crested geckos during the "firing up" process may also be influenced by their mood. However, it is unclear if this is directly related to genetics or if it is an indirect result of other genetic factors influencing their physiology and behaviour.
Overall, while the specific genes and genetic mechanisms involved in colour change in Australian geckos may not be fully elucidated yet, ongoing research, particularly in leopard geckos, is providing valuable insights into the genetics of reptile coloration.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australian geckos can change colour. This process is called "firing up" or "firing down".
There are several factors that influence a gecko's colour change. These include:
- Humidity: Higher humidity levels of around 70% can cause a gecko to fire up.
- Temperature: A temperature of around 80 degrees Fahrenheit can cause a gecko to fire up.
- Lighting: Geckos will often fire up in low-light conditions.
Yes, geckos can change colour at any age. Hatchlings and juveniles usually have a different shade of colour than when they're adults.
Yes, geckos may also change colour temporarily during their shed cycle. Additionally, some users have observed that their geckos change colour when they are excited or more active.
