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About Pam
Expertise
I can answer 98% of all questions regarding the husbandry of most desert to temperate climate omnivore and herbivore lizards. This would include bearded dragons, and skinks. I can also answer questions regarding iguanas. I can not help with snakes,amphibians,crustations or arachnids. For tortoises I will only refer you to the World Chelonian Trust. I am not a vet, but I've had enough medical (human) training to know that when a reptile is showing symptoms he needs definitive care. That means a vet, period. I can help with a few conditions, such as prolapse, so that the animal has the best chance at the vet to treat and recover. The answer to having two species sharing the same habitat will always be no. Just because you don't like my answer does not mean I'm wrong. As for breeding animals, especially bearded dragons who already have a weak gene pool as it is, you will get all the reasons why you shouldn't. There are enough inexperienced breeders out there, filling pet stores with undersized sickly babies, I will not add to their number. If you need a lizard identified, please give me an idea of where you live and a description of the animal.

Experience
I own and breed bearded dragons (pogona vitticeps). I've been a member of several e-mail lizard care groups, I am both a forum chat moderator for Reptilerooms.com, and forum moderator for Pogona and Babyiguana Yahoo Groups. I have soaked in the knowledge of some of the best researchers, rehabbers, and herp veterinarians from those groups

Organizations
Long Island Herpetological Society International Reptile Conservation Society

Education/Credentials
SUNY @ Farmingdale - Animal Science Univ. of GA - Pre-Vet

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Reptiles > Dwarf fat tailed Gecko

Reptiles - Dwarf fat tailed Gecko

Expert: Pam - 11/1/2009

Question
Hi I hope you can help..We have a dwarf fat tailed Gecko which is my 6 year old's pet and today he seems to be having some problems. He has been shedding for the past couple of days and today he has been out during the day and has had his mouth wide open constantly. He doesn't seem to be in any discomfort and still allows us to hold him. I cant see any discolouration and his diet has been normal of late, eating his usual brown crickets. Is there any advice you could give as to why this is happening please?
Many thanks
Stuart

Answer
Gaping ing reptiles usually means he feels too warm and opening his mouth will expel excess heat. It is normal when he feels too warm but not hot enough to feel the need to move to a cooler area. However, if the gaping is constant and his tank temperatures are with his species' normal range and even on his cool end, check his nasal passages for retained shed.

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