Enigma

Type: Dominant

First Produced By: Mark Bell

Issues: Enigma Syndrome

First Produced In: 2006

Availability: Rarest

Last Updated: 2024-05-16

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tail

Their tails are almost all white.

Controversy

Enigmas are not supported for sale on MorphMarket at this time.

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.

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.

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.