So now we've moved on to the second major trait when looking to identify your wee one, pattern.
There are a multitude of patterns commonly seen on the market and for each one there is a range of quality that will fall into that particular label.
When looking at pattern we are also looking at the placement of where it is. A crested gecko can visually be broken into various sections. The main 3 being dorsal (back), lateral (flanks/sides) and limbs (legs).
The pattern is then also determined by how much it covers the crestie or the quality of which it's being displayed. Again, there's a bit of swing room with this and opinions/standards may differ between keepers. For this, within some pattern traits, the laterals are also broken into 2 parts - Upper and lower.
Fantastic Tri coloured Crestie owned by Gary at Crestie Jungle
Which leads directly to our first chunk of patterns since these are reliant on lateral placement and percentage of coverage.
Flame
Flames are quite a common trait that is usually easy to find, many pet stores may mislabel a Harlequin for a flame and visa versa so don't go 100% of what you may of been told depending on the source.
Flames can come in a range of Yellow, Red, Shades of Brown and Dark/Black base colour. An Orange version may be considered a creamsicle as mentioned in colour traits.
They will have a minimal lighter or more contrasted pattern colour in the lower lateral area and have a light or more vivid dorsal. The Dorsal will be broken up in colour revealing the cresties base underneath and is how the trait got its name. There should only be minimal patterning to the limbs, some may go as far to say none what so ever.
Flames are quite a common trait that is usually easy to find, many pet stores may mislabel a Harlequin for a flame and visa versa so don't go 100% of what you may of been told depending on the source.
Flames can come in a range of Yellow, Red, Shades of Brown and Dark/Black base colour. An Orange version may be considered a creamsicle as mentioned in colour traits.
They will have a minimal lighter or more contrasted pattern colour in the lower lateral area and have a light or more vivid dorsal. The Dorsal will be broken up in colour revealing the cresties base underneath and is how the trait got its name. There should only be minimal patterning to the limbs, some may go as far to say none what so ever.
Dark Based Flame Chihiro.
Young Flame showing minimal lateral patterning from ExtremeCresties.
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Yellow Flame from ExtremeCresties
Young Red Flame produced by GeckoDiet
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Harlequin
A steady favorite in the crestie world and again range in quality and colour. Harlequins can come as a range of Red, Yellow, Shades of Brown/Olive and dark/Black based. Patterning, like that of a Flame would be a lighter or more vibrant colour (Cream, Yellow, Orange and various other lighter shades), though a Harlequin's patterning can extend from the lower laterals into the upper laterals depending. The dorsal will also be light or more vibrant (like that of the laterals) however it will have minimal breakage and be more or completely solid in appearance. Limbs can also display various amounts of patterning.
A steady favorite in the crestie world and again range in quality and colour. Harlequins can come as a range of Red, Yellow, Shades of Brown/Olive and dark/Black based. Patterning, like that of a Flame would be a lighter or more vibrant colour (Cream, Yellow, Orange and various other lighter shades), though a Harlequin's patterning can extend from the lower laterals into the upper laterals depending. The dorsal will also be light or more vibrant (like that of the laterals) however it will have minimal breakage and be more or completely solid in appearance. Limbs can also display various amounts of patterning.
Haru, owned by myself.
Love, love this gecko, Yellow Harlequin from GeckoDiet.
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Lovely example of a chocolate brown and cream over at JPS Geckos.
Beautiful example of a Red Harlequin from Tiny Toe Geckos.
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Extreme Harlequin
Quite sort after and a more extreme take on Harlequins. Available again in a range of colour combinations like that of the Harlequin. Extremes can sometimes be confused as tigers, this is because the exposed base colour may be massively reduced due to the shear amount of patterning. Now, there are currently two standards of which various people use when deciding if a crestie is an extreme.
1) The lateral patterning must connect to the dorsal in at least one place.
or
2) Based on the percentage of patterning extending throughout the upper lateral.
Limbs usually display a high degree of patterning and patterning may extend along the neck and side of the face. Dorsal will contain minimal breaks or completely solid with no base colour on display.
Quite sort after and a more extreme take on Harlequins. Available again in a range of colour combinations like that of the Harlequin. Extremes can sometimes be confused as tigers, this is because the exposed base colour may be massively reduced due to the shear amount of patterning. Now, there are currently two standards of which various people use when deciding if a crestie is an extreme.
1) The lateral patterning must connect to the dorsal in at least one place.
or
2) Based on the percentage of patterning extending throughout the upper lateral.
Limbs usually display a high degree of patterning and patterning may extend along the neck and side of the face. Dorsal will contain minimal breaks or completely solid with no base colour on display.
The amazing "Bug" over at Welsh Morphology Photography.
Beautiful example from Milly at MG Exotics.
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Lovely Golden example from Crestie Addicted.
Stunning example from GeckoDiet.
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Rukia owned by myself.
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Tri-colour
Similar to that of a Harlequin and its more extreme counterpart in lateral pattern placement with the added addition that 3 distinctive colours must be displayed on the laterals. Currently Tri-colours come in two base colours, that of a dark base or a red. Patterning then is usually that of a more vibrant orange through to a Golden shade with the third distinctive colour being much lighter at a cream to near white. The Dorsal is not considered as part of the Tri, just the laterals. The Dorsal will be like that of a Harlequin and Extreme.
White spots, Portholes and Quad striping are also not included as one of the distinctive colours as these are separate traits.
Keepers sometimes vary on what will constitute as a Tri, some insisting that the base and two colours must be equally shown. Others believe that as long as the three are clearly present in some capacity then the crestie will fall into the Tri category. Either way, IMO Tri's make for one of the most colourful traits available in the crestie world.
Similar to that of a Harlequin and its more extreme counterpart in lateral pattern placement with the added addition that 3 distinctive colours must be displayed on the laterals. Currently Tri-colours come in two base colours, that of a dark base or a red. Patterning then is usually that of a more vibrant orange through to a Golden shade with the third distinctive colour being much lighter at a cream to near white. The Dorsal is not considered as part of the Tri, just the laterals. The Dorsal will be like that of a Harlequin and Extreme.
White spots, Portholes and Quad striping are also not included as one of the distinctive colours as these are separate traits.
Keepers sometimes vary on what will constitute as a Tri, some insisting that the base and two colours must be equally shown. Others believe that as long as the three are clearly present in some capacity then the crestie will fall into the Tri category. Either way, IMO Tri's make for one of the most colourful traits available in the crestie world.
Wonderful example of a Red tri from GeckoDiet.
Vivid example of a Tri produced by Crestie Jungle.
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Fantastic Tri courtesy of MG Exotics.
Stunning young Tri over at Tiny Toe Geckos.
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Next we have Stripes! There are 2 main Traits within cresties involving a striped pattern, that's the Tigers and the Brindle's. What defines each is the quality of the bands themselves and placement from lateral, over the dorsal and back down the lateral again.
White wall
Not to be mistaken for Lilly white (see morph). This is a trait where the patterning is over come with a solid white wall of colour that can effect the lower and spread into the Upper lateral. It can start of relatively small in hatchlings and spread as a gecko matures in impressive manner with some individuals. When coupled with Dripping (we'll get to that) like with this gecko, it makes for a truly fantastic gecko! |
Fantastic gecko owned by ExtremeCresties
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Tiger
Possibly and arguably one of my favorites however there's not many currently producing or working on Tigers as they seem to have fallen alittle out of fashion.
Tigers are named due to the striping they exhibit. The striping is usually of a darker colour with the base being the lighter and brighter of the two. Stripes should start in the lower lateral, running through the upper, over the dorsal and back down the other lateral with little to no breaks in the stripe.
There is yet to be a red based Tiger (despite others attempts) and from my observations to date orange is quick to muddy and loose its orangeness as they mature from hatchling. Shades of Olive are by far the more common though yellow shades can also be found.
Terms such as Super or Bold may be used as a descriptive depending on the quality of stripe. Quality is determined by how contrasted and distinctive the stripes are against the base colour. Fired down Tigers (depending on the quality) may look similar to a patternless and as previously mentioned - can sometimes confused with Extreme Harlequin's
Remember:
Extreme's: Darker or coloured base with Lighter or brighter pattern.
Tiger's: Lighter or brighter base with Darker or coloured pattern.
Possibly and arguably one of my favorites however there's not many currently producing or working on Tigers as they seem to have fallen alittle out of fashion.
Tigers are named due to the striping they exhibit. The striping is usually of a darker colour with the base being the lighter and brighter of the two. Stripes should start in the lower lateral, running through the upper, over the dorsal and back down the other lateral with little to no breaks in the stripe.
There is yet to be a red based Tiger (despite others attempts) and from my observations to date orange is quick to muddy and loose its orangeness as they mature from hatchling. Shades of Olive are by far the more common though yellow shades can also be found.
Terms such as Super or Bold may be used as a descriptive depending on the quality of stripe. Quality is determined by how contrasted and distinctive the stripes are against the base colour. Fired down Tigers (depending on the quality) may look similar to a patternless and as previously mentioned - can sometimes confused with Extreme Harlequin's
Remember:
Extreme's: Darker or coloured base with Lighter or brighter pattern.
Tiger's: Lighter or brighter base with Darker or coloured pattern.
Brindle
Much like the Tigers the base is normally lighter or brighter than the darker or more contrasted pattern. The difference between the two though is the stripes are very much broken for a Brindle compared to the solid striping of a Tiger. What striping may be clearly evident doesn't usually stretch the width of the lateral, over the dorsal and fully back down again.
They can vary in quality and definition and again, much like the Tigers, there's yet to be a red base, though a red brindle pattern on a yellow or orange base can be found. Younger individuals may have a much more striking appearance that may mellow as they mature.
Brindles can vary from distinctive, broken stripes across the laterals and dorsal to an almost freckled appearance. They can also be sparsely marked or highly brindled all over the laterals and tends to extend up the neck.
Can again in some cases be confused for a highly covered extreme or visa versa.
The descriptive terms of bold and super can be used if the bridling is particularly dark or compacted in patterning.
Young Brindle from Tiny Toe Geckos.
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Brindle produced by ExtremeCresties
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With both of the above you may come across terms such as...Bold, Extreme and Super. This refers to the quality of the pattern being displayed. These descriptive terms are not commonly used in the UK (for example) compared to that of the states and again varies based on opinion and standards. Because they are not as widely used terms i am reluctant to offer them their own trait label in this guide currently.
From Brindle we now look at Patternless and Bi-colours!
From Brindle we now look at Patternless and Bi-colours!
Bi-colour
Bi-colour are distinctive for the fact they literally only have two colours. The base colour of the laterals and limbs and then a separate colour for the dorsal. The dorsal on a bi-colour is usually a few shades darker/muted or a few shades more vibrant compared to that of the actually base colour. Bi-colours can commonly be found in the Olive spectrum and within the Reds. Stunning Red Bi-colour from Sue at GeckoDiet.
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Patternless
Not much ley way with this one as it really is what it says on the tin...devoid of any pattern on the laterals, dorsal and limbs. Tail can still have the characteristic two tone of white/cream/grey and base colour, as well as minor traits can still be present. Can come as Yellow, orange, red or olive in colour however a patternless that is Olive is sometimes referred to as a Buckskin:) Crestie Addicted shows a lovely example of a Buckskin.
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Last and not least.....
Dalmation
Like with most of the others, this will vary in quantity, quality and colour play's a part too. However unlike the others where only one pattern trait is displayed on an individual, this trait will over lap another pattern. The degree of which will dictate whether this is consider number 2 on the labeling chain when identifying or considered an after thought that's mentioned after the colour and pattern trait...its whatever is most visually dominating pattern wise. Now that has probably confused you a little, it confused me after reading it back multiple times yet it's still the simplest way to explain how cresties are ID'ed. The Photo's shortly should make the point much clear so sit tight!
Dalmation spots, again unlike the others, also acts in a more dominate fashion....once the crestie has the trait you are very unlikely to produce clean (cresties without any spots at all) thereafter, though the quantity may vary and can be unpredictable. Because of how this trait works many will consider Dalmation spotting as a plague when breeding, a blemish on an otherwise brilliant example of another colour trait....Then you have people like me who love spots and care not it they are clean or dotty. This trait is definitely the marmite of the crestie world!
Dalmation spot's come in 3 commonly refereed to degrees:
Dal spotting - When only one - handful is displayed, this is usually listed last on the ID chain or not at all.
Dalmation - you have a good spluttering covering various areas of the crestie, this is usually mentioned last or second depending depending what pattern trait is at work and depending on the keepers or breeders preference. For example a Yellow patternless with this degree of spotting can be referred to as a Yellow patternless Dalmation or a Yellow Dalmation. The Dalmation spots is more visually dominating so the patternless can be dropped.
Super Dalmation - This is when they are as good as smothered! Out of the 3 main types this one is much more desirable, even some anti spots can appreciate a good super dalmation. When IDing usually super dal becomes the second term in the chain after colour. This is because visually it can be more dominating. However a keeper may choose to list the other pattern trait along side Super Dalmation depending on the quality of the other trait.
Now, you would of noticed that i didn't give you numbers to go off and check against your own...that's because its not always about the number of spots for them to fall in to one or the other, so don't get hung up on a number. Size and type of spot plays in equal parts. A adult crestie with less than 50 spots that are big splodges and a crestie with well over a 100 smaller spots can equally be considered super dalmations. Because of this different keepers will hold to varying standards of what constitutes as what.
Dark based crested geckos can also "cover up" Dalmation spots for the most part when fully fired up. Its only when fired down into a much muter shade that the much darker spots can truly be seen.
Spotting can come in a range of styles beyond the standard black spot too... Ink blotch (large spots), freckled (small), Red, Oil spot (faded/olive toned, may darken over time), Yellow and white (not to be confused with white portholes which is a minor trait). There is no strict rules that it must cover the whole crestie either, some individuals may develop only groups/clusters of spots in certain areas. You may also come about terms not listed, like confetti. Confetti is a selectively bred line of dalmation spotting rather than its own trait.
Another thing to consider when dealing with Dal spots, they are the last of the pattern traits to fully develop. New spots can appear well past the Juvenal stage, some have noticed it developing still into the second year...its like a fine wine so don't judge a young crestie on its lack off, research the breeder where applicable and ask about an individuals lineage/parentage to get a rough gauge of what may be achieved.
Like with most of the others, this will vary in quantity, quality and colour play's a part too. However unlike the others where only one pattern trait is displayed on an individual, this trait will over lap another pattern. The degree of which will dictate whether this is consider number 2 on the labeling chain when identifying or considered an after thought that's mentioned after the colour and pattern trait...its whatever is most visually dominating pattern wise. Now that has probably confused you a little, it confused me after reading it back multiple times yet it's still the simplest way to explain how cresties are ID'ed. The Photo's shortly should make the point much clear so sit tight!
Dalmation spots, again unlike the others, also acts in a more dominate fashion....once the crestie has the trait you are very unlikely to produce clean (cresties without any spots at all) thereafter, though the quantity may vary and can be unpredictable. Because of how this trait works many will consider Dalmation spotting as a plague when breeding, a blemish on an otherwise brilliant example of another colour trait....Then you have people like me who love spots and care not it they are clean or dotty. This trait is definitely the marmite of the crestie world!
Dalmation spot's come in 3 commonly refereed to degrees:
Dal spotting - When only one - handful is displayed, this is usually listed last on the ID chain or not at all.
Dalmation - you have a good spluttering covering various areas of the crestie, this is usually mentioned last or second depending depending what pattern trait is at work and depending on the keepers or breeders preference. For example a Yellow patternless with this degree of spotting can be referred to as a Yellow patternless Dalmation or a Yellow Dalmation. The Dalmation spots is more visually dominating so the patternless can be dropped.
Super Dalmation - This is when they are as good as smothered! Out of the 3 main types this one is much more desirable, even some anti spots can appreciate a good super dalmation. When IDing usually super dal becomes the second term in the chain after colour. This is because visually it can be more dominating. However a keeper may choose to list the other pattern trait along side Super Dalmation depending on the quality of the other trait.
Now, you would of noticed that i didn't give you numbers to go off and check against your own...that's because its not always about the number of spots for them to fall in to one or the other, so don't get hung up on a number. Size and type of spot plays in equal parts. A adult crestie with less than 50 spots that are big splodges and a crestie with well over a 100 smaller spots can equally be considered super dalmations. Because of this different keepers will hold to varying standards of what constitutes as what.
Dark based crested geckos can also "cover up" Dalmation spots for the most part when fully fired up. Its only when fired down into a much muter shade that the much darker spots can truly be seen.
Spotting can come in a range of styles beyond the standard black spot too... Ink blotch (large spots), freckled (small), Red, Oil spot (faded/olive toned, may darken over time), Yellow and white (not to be confused with white portholes which is a minor trait). There is no strict rules that it must cover the whole crestie either, some individuals may develop only groups/clusters of spots in certain areas. You may also come about terms not listed, like confetti. Confetti is a selectively bred line of dalmation spotting rather than its own trait.
Another thing to consider when dealing with Dal spots, they are the last of the pattern traits to fully develop. New spots can appear well past the Juvenal stage, some have noticed it developing still into the second year...its like a fine wine so don't judge a young crestie on its lack off, research the breeder where applicable and ask about an individuals lineage/parentage to get a rough gauge of what may be achieved.
Dalmation spotting
Red bi-colour i produced showing Dalmation spotting.
Dal spotting courtesy of Crestie Jungle
Haru, one of my own, showing Dal spots to the dorsal and head.
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Dalmation
Gorgeous pair of Dalmations from JPS Geckos.
A young, fired down, Dark base Harlequin. Dalmation spots can be lost on a dark base once fired up. Beelzebub one of my own.
Red Dalmation showing both black and red spots. Picture from Welsh Morphology Photography.
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Super Dalmation
Sousuke, my first Super dal, showing black and red spots.
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The wonderful Pebbles from GeckoDiet
Stunning Super from Jen at JPS Geckos.
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Splat, Red Confetti Super Dal showing black, red and white spotting from Louise over at Suffolk Gecko.
Beautiful Super from Candi at Welsh Morphology Photography.
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And that concludes the main pattern traits! Just incase you are sat their starting to regret not getting that cute little leopard gecko you saw the other day instead....they are FAR more complicated genetic wise...and boring....you choose well!