Floppy Tail Syndrome in Crested Geckos: What It Is and Prevention

What it looks like

In floppy tail syndrome, the tail hangs over the gecko’s back or to the side when it is upside down.¹ One keeper describes it flopping at about a right angle, with a dip at the base of the spine or a twisted base.²

A note on the evidence

We have not found published veterinary research on floppy tail syndrome in crested geckos. What follows comes from ReptiFiles and experienced keepers, so treat the causes as likely rather than proven, and involve a vet.

Possible causes

• Sleeping upside down repeatedly.¹²
• Deformity of the tail base and hips.¹
• Metabolic bone disease can also cause it, according to the MorphMarket discussion.² ReptiFiles lists a wavy tail among the signs of MBD in crested geckos.⁴ See crested gecko metabolic bone disease.

Why it matters

ReptiFiles lists difficulty passing droppings or laying eggs as signs.¹ The MorphMarket post notes it can cause problems for laying females, but not always.²

Prevention

• Fill the enclosure. ReptiFiles says cluttering the terrarium with hiding spots and decor discourages sleeping upside down.¹ The RSPCA recommends branches or vines and tall, broad plants.³
• Give daytime hides such as half coconut shells or cork bark tubes, so the gecko has better places to sleep than the glass.³
• Prevent MBD with a complete powdered diet, calcium-dusted insects and a 5% UVB bulb.⁴

Treatment

ReptiFiles advises an appointment with an exotics vet, and says the vet may recommend removing the tail to prevent further deformity of the spine or hips.¹ Crested geckos do not regrow their tails,³ so this is a decision to make with your vet.