Enigma
Type: Dominant
First Produced By: Mark Bell
Issues: Enigma Syndrome
First Produced In: 2006
Availability: Rarest
Last Updated: 2023-03-06
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About
The Enigma is a dominant trait originally produced by Mark and Kim Bell. A dominant trait is identical looking in the heterozygous and the homozygous form and can’t be distinguished just by looking at them. [1]
Issues
Enigma Syndrome
The enigma morph in leopard geckos is one of the most infamous kinds, they are known to have a neurological condition that is directly tied to a dominant allele needed to produce Enigmas.
As such, it has been termed Enigma Syndrome (ES). Leopard geckos with ES display a myriad of symptoms, from simple head bobbing to severe seizures. [4]
Enigma Syndrome is a neurological disorder that affects the balance and positioning of leopard geckos.
Severity of the syndrome varies depending on two things: environmental factors and the gecko’s individual genotype.
Information gathered from a range of breeders recommends that geckos with the syndrome are housed alone, since stress usually brings on the symptoms and a dominant tank mate may increase the likelihood of stress. [5]
History
The Enigmas are considered a random genetic mutation. In 2006, Mark Bell produced the first Enigma when it randomly hatched out of one of his leopard gecko groups. [2]
Appearance
Body
When classifying an Enigma, there are a few common features which all Enigmas seem to have. When they hatch out, their spots tend to be blotches rather than bands. As they grow older, the spotting increases and sometimes turns into speckles. [3]
Tail
Their tails are almost all white.
Controversy
Since the Enigmas were first created, there has always been talk of genetic or neurological issues with them. Some of the symptoms described by Enigma owners include spinning in circles, extreme light sensitivity, tendency to be easily stressed, and lack of eating.
Currently there is a study going on at Texas A&M University. It consists of an Enigma group that shows symptoms, an Enigma group that does not show symptoms, and a group of Normal leopard geckos. The purpose of the study is to find any correlations or causes of the issues above. [6]
While it is perfectly legal to breed Enigma, organizations like the IHS in Europe have banned the sale of any Leopard Geckos carrying the Enigma gene at their events. [7]
Efforts to remove the disorder have proven unsuccessful over and over. Be very careful of breeders claims to no “Enigma Syndrome” (ES). I personally won’t work with them anymore due to the issues. [8]
Proven Lines
No known proven lines
Related Traits
No known related traits
Combos
- BEE (Enigma Eclipse)
- Black Hole (Enigma Snow (Mack) Eclipse)
- Crystal (Enigma Snow (Mack) Albino (Rainwater) Eclipse)
- Dreamsickle (Enigma Snow (Mack) Albino (Tremper) Eclipse)
- Nova (Enigma Albino (Tremper) Eclipse)
- Stealth (Enigma Snow (Mack) Albino (Bell) Eclipse)
- Super Nova (Super Snow (Mack) Enigma Albino (Tremper) Eclipse)
- Super Stealth (Super Snow (Mack) Enigma Snow (Mack) Albino (Bell) Eclipse)
- Vortex (Enigma Albino (Rainwater) Eclipse Murphy Patternless)
White & Yellow SONAR Leopard Gecko by The Urban Reptile
Mandarin Tangerine Enigma Het Smaug Leopard Gecko by Darling Geckos
Mandarin Tremper Enigma 66% Ph NDBE Leopard Gecko by LM Geckos
White & Yellow TUG Snow Red-Eyed Enigma Leopard Gecko by The Urban Reptile
Mack Snow Enigma Leopard Gecko by Luna Geckos
