My Old Boy *pics*

[Removed_2815]

This is my 7 year + Male Leopard Gecko. His name is Hoppus (the only reptile I have ever named, also the only reptile I have encountered with a personality). You will notice his strange "bug-eyes" in some of the pictures. He has a condition that focuses light behind his retina. He has never been able to eat on his own, he tries to chase crickets down but always jumps short. As a result, he eats from my fingers quite readily. He is an awesome pet so enjoy the pics!
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3298Hoppus2.JPG
He's a monster (a little more than 8 inches and very thick).

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3298Hoppus3.JPG

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/3298Hoppus.JPG
I asked him to smile for this one! How could you not love that face? His eye condition is really apparent here. It doesn't seem to bother him and he just loves life, so he's happy.
Cheers,
Ryan M Bolton

[CDN-Cresties]

Cute pics, poor little guy, im sure he is glad to have a owner who takes care of him so well. Keep it up!!! :D

-Steve-

[Clownfishie]

Those are some crazy eyes! Congrats on having such a happy healthy boy :) He's very handsome...

[Simon]

poor guy
but hey he looks really cute though...

and great photos you got there!!
especially with the third photo, that one is great!!!

[TheRedDragon]

Those are some freaked out eyes...very cute boy though, and he's looking quite healthy. :)

[Emily-Fisher]

Aww what a cutie! The bulgy eyes are actually kinda cute but... still, poor baby! Great pics, BTW!!

[Tim and Julie B]

OMG I want that third pic as a poster!:D He's the cutest little guy. Almost like a kid with coke-bottle glasses! Too cute.

Julie

[lilyskip]

man, he's a big boy! that third picture is CRAZY! sounds like he's got a great friend in you :D

[Blazin]

HEy thats so cool. I also noticed his snout seems shorter than most leopards. I hatched out a female this year that was very similiar to him. She had a really short broad head with a really short snout. His head structure almost reminds me of a tokay gecko!! Glad to hear he is such a happy fellow. Love it when really show they Love their animals! AWESOME GUY! I want to see more pics of him!

[Linds]

What an adorable little guy! He does remind me of a kid with coke bottle glasses. I find the ones with the deformaties have the most personality.

Originally posted by Blazin
HEy thats so cool. I also noticed his snout seems shorter than most leopards.

I have a female with the identical head structure. When she hatched out, we thought she was going to be seriously bug-eyed. Never seen a little gecko with such enormous eyes before! She grew in to them perfectly though, and is actually quite a looker :)

[JeffT]

lol he looks like "Bubbles" from Trailer Park Boys.

[sketchy4]

lol hes cute! great pics.

[MartinW]

Wow! That's a really cute leo! Do all leos with bug-eyes have vision problems? I read in the Leopard Gecko Manual that bug-eyed leos should be culled from breeding programs but it doesn't say why. Personally, I like the bug-eyes better than the normal eyes.

I think all 3 pics would make a great poster. Maybe Shane can make posters and sell them to help support the site. I think I suggested a calendar a long time ago, maybe pick the top 12 of a photo contest.

Martin

[HeatherK]

Thanks for sharing those beautiful shots. Looks like he's making a face in the last picture :D Very cute little guy, good job with him!

[Linds]

Originally posted by MartinW
I read in the Leopard Gecko Manual that bug-eyed leos should be culled from breeding programs but it doesn't say why.

Bug-eyed leos, or any leos that have birth defects should never reproduce. Only 100% sound animals should be used in breeding programs, or you may end up with weak, deformed, or otherwise unhealthy offspring. When breeding reptiles, we should strive to produce the best we can, which doesn't involve deformed animals, cute or not. Why would you want to reproduce animals that, alebit look cute, have vision problems?

[MartinW]

I wouldn't breed them if they do have vision problems, which is why I asked if the vision problems are because of the bug-eyes. If the only difference is the big eyes and nothing else I don't see a problem breeding them. Kinda like how Giants are huge but don't really have any physical disabilities.

Martin

[Removed_2815]

Any physical lengthening or shortening of the eyeball will invariably impede vision. When you change the focal length you change where the image is focused, either behind or in front of the retina.
This guy has never reproduced and will never reproduce. He has a great life but not every owner would be able to take care of such an animal, as he must be hand-fed (he always jumps short of the cricket if given the chance to chase it down). Feeding this guy by hand is definitely an art form and it is not something I could teach, it's based on 7 years of reading each other's movements and behaviour (to prevent me from getting bitten and to ensure he gets a good meal).
I actually really enjoy the way he looks, and since I know that he is no worse off because of it, I think it's okay to giggle at his googly eyes every so often, he has a sense of humour :)
Ryan

[meow_mix450]

3rd pic, is priceless

Meow

[Hallucinogen]

He looks like his crosseyed, lol.
Nice job tho man, you saved this little creature.

[Shells]

Great pics! He's such a cutie!

[reptiguy123]

Holy crap! What camera is that?

[Removed_2815]

Canon A70

[reptiguy123]

Nice!

[little_dragon_]

I have an albino male who has a stumpy arm. I was told when I bought him that he lost his toes from a bad shed. He's very active and has grown nicely. I mated him with my albino het. I hope the lady I bought him from wasn't lying about the shed.