Welcome to structure! This is going to be a big section however on the bright side, it isn't going to take you as long to read as it did to take me to write and put together :P...i am the currently over worked and under paid author! (you can give me pity now....just saying...)
Structure cover's and can relate to a couple of things involving the head, body proportions, width of dorsal and scales of a crested gecko.
Head
When referring to structure with the head we are looking at the over all shape and size. The shape and size can be an indicator of quality by todays standards. Large heads (this is the flat of the head from looking above and the size of the snouts - smaller/shorter being better) are extremely desired. Especially when coupled with nice sized or floppy crest's where as long snouts and narrow heads containing either small crest's or bold (very little in the way of cresting) are least desired for breeding....note i said breeding, health wise there is no difference and can still make fine additions as pets to any household.
Wide/Floppy structured head - ExtremeCresties
Average head structure - Kitsune produced by me
|
Good/nicely structured head - Crestie Jungle
Narrow head structure - Rukia
|
Crests
This will pertain to the quantity and the quality of cresting to the head. The more crest's and the more distinctive the crests are will usually determine the quality where a crested gecko is concerned. Large, defined crests equally spaced in great numbers are usually the best you can get, with Bold (no crests or where crests aren't distinctive enough to note) being the least desired and not something that is usually bred for. Like with head size though, keepers do vary on their individuals tastes on what they think looks better.
Crest's can come in varying styles, from pointing up, drooping down, straight out or a bit of each!
It is also important to note that some cresties that may be termed Bold may not have been originally. The lack of crests could also be scaring/damage from another crestie during breeding. Damage may vary in this case, crests do not grow back, leaving those with significant crest damage "appearing" bold but not by trait.
This will pertain to the quantity and the quality of cresting to the head. The more crest's and the more distinctive the crests are will usually determine the quality where a crested gecko is concerned. Large, defined crests equally spaced in great numbers are usually the best you can get, with Bold (no crests or where crests aren't distinctive enough to note) being the least desired and not something that is usually bred for. Like with head size though, keepers do vary on their individuals tastes on what they think looks better.
Crest's can come in varying styles, from pointing up, drooping down, straight out or a bit of each!
It is also important to note that some cresties that may be termed Bold may not have been originally. The lack of crests could also be scaring/damage from another crestie during breeding. Damage may vary in this case, crests do not grow back, leaving those with significant crest damage "appearing" bold but not by trait.
Great crests - Owned by ExtremeCresties
|
Nice-average sized crest's - Kitsune previously owned by myself
|
Small crest's - Kaname
|
Minimal crest's - Bold - Kyoko
|
Body
Body proportions is something that is judged by eye and opinion may differ greatly on whats desired, its the least mentioned in relation to structure that I've seen. Understanding body proportion will come the more you look at yours and other keepers cresties - this one is long, that one is compact and/stumpy in appearance and then you get those that just seem to *fit*.
Following from the body there is the dorsal width to consider, that again is not as commonly referred to IMO. Wider, more prominent dorsals are more desired for many compared to that of a narrow dorsal and can usually be seen along side a good wide structured head imo. The Dorsal itself has many structural traits that fall under its area which we'll look at now.
Body proportions is something that is judged by eye and opinion may differ greatly on whats desired, its the least mentioned in relation to structure that I've seen. Understanding body proportion will come the more you look at yours and other keepers cresties - this one is long, that one is compact and/stumpy in appearance and then you get those that just seem to *fit*.
Following from the body there is the dorsal width to consider, that again is not as commonly referred to IMO. Wider, more prominent dorsals are more desired for many compared to that of a narrow dorsal and can usually be seen along side a good wide structured head imo. The Dorsal itself has many structural traits that fall under its area which we'll look at now.
Pinstripe
Now this is broken down into a few different categories. Pinstrip is often mentioned in replacement of the pattern trait, and that's ok! just remember that in itself this is not a pattern trait but a structural one that appears in the dorsal region. It can work with and be displayed together most of the pattern traits though i have yet to see a Tiger or Brindle though displaying this traits characteristics. Pinning itself refer's to much more prominently shaped scales running down/outlining either side of the dorsal.
Classic Pinstripe as many of use know it.
Comes in various degrees and is typically in shades of cream to near white....but don't get confused, it is important to note that Pinstriping in this fashion is not just the colour (like fringing) but must be in conjunction with more prominent/pointed scale shape as previously mentioned.
Dash pinstripe/pinning: Displays minimal pinstriping with chunks of breaks. Can be seen on dorsals that have base colour breaks and varying degree of solidness
Low percentage or partial Pinstripe/Pinner: Displays more prominent pinning to the dorsal along with clear breaks. Usually a near or solid dorsal with minimal base breaks.
High percentage Pinstripe/Pinner: Display's mainly pinning on the dorsal with occasional tiny breaks/missing pin's. May with associate this with a numeric value: example, two extremely small breaks may be refereed to as 98% pinstripe/pinner. Usually seen with a near or solid dorsal.
Full Pinstripe: No pin breaks, this is a complete Pinstripe. Anything less will fall into a High % pinner or lower. Typically seen on solid dorsals.
The Dorsal pattern does not play in the pinning, so when deciding it's important to look for the more prominent scales and not the colour or how the dorsal pattern is working.
Now this is broken down into a few different categories. Pinstrip is often mentioned in replacement of the pattern trait, and that's ok! just remember that in itself this is not a pattern trait but a structural one that appears in the dorsal region. It can work with and be displayed together most of the pattern traits though i have yet to see a Tiger or Brindle though displaying this traits characteristics. Pinning itself refer's to much more prominently shaped scales running down/outlining either side of the dorsal.
Classic Pinstripe as many of use know it.
Comes in various degrees and is typically in shades of cream to near white....but don't get confused, it is important to note that Pinstriping in this fashion is not just the colour (like fringing) but must be in conjunction with more prominent/pointed scale shape as previously mentioned.
Dash pinstripe/pinning: Displays minimal pinstriping with chunks of breaks. Can be seen on dorsals that have base colour breaks and varying degree of solidness
Low percentage or partial Pinstripe/Pinner: Displays more prominent pinning to the dorsal along with clear breaks. Usually a near or solid dorsal with minimal base breaks.
High percentage Pinstripe/Pinner: Display's mainly pinning on the dorsal with occasional tiny breaks/missing pin's. May with associate this with a numeric value: example, two extremely small breaks may be refereed to as 98% pinstripe/pinner. Usually seen with a near or solid dorsal.
Full Pinstripe: No pin breaks, this is a complete Pinstripe. Anything less will fall into a High % pinner or lower. Typically seen on solid dorsals.
The Dorsal pattern does not play in the pinning, so when deciding it's important to look for the more prominent scales and not the colour or how the dorsal pattern is working.
Dash Pinning - Picture from Wiltshire Geckos
|
Partial - Lovely gecko at Tiny Toe Geckos
|
High % - Haru Owned by myself, Note the 2 missing pins by the tail base.
|
Full - Produced by GeckoDiet
|
Quad stripe
This is where both the above (full pinning or extremely high % pinning) is in play as well as a clear matching lateral stripe, usually placed between the lower and upper lateral area. Thus giving the appearance of Four (Quad) stripes. The lateral stripe is not formed by prominent/raised scales. In some the lateral stripe my be incomplete in a small area, however a completely broken up lateral would not fall into this term but rather it may be mentioned simple as a broken lateral stripe. Quad striping can also appear in conjunction with reverse pinning.
This is where both the above (full pinning or extremely high % pinning) is in play as well as a clear matching lateral stripe, usually placed between the lower and upper lateral area. Thus giving the appearance of Four (Quad) stripes. The lateral stripe is not formed by prominent/raised scales. In some the lateral stripe my be incomplete in a small area, however a completely broken up lateral would not fall into this term but rather it may be mentioned simple as a broken lateral stripe. Quad striping can also appear in conjunction with reverse pinning.
Cardinal from GeckoDiet
|
Quad from ExtremeCresties
|
McQueen Quad displayed from above
|
Reverse pinstripe/pinning
Unlike that of those mentioned so far, this one does not have the characteristic of the more predominate dorsal scales. This refers to a Dark or Red line that runs on the outside of the dorsal. Can be commonly (though not always) seen together with the above two pinning types making for quite an attractive look!
Unlike that of those mentioned so far, this one does not have the characteristic of the more predominate dorsal scales. This refers to a Dark or Red line that runs on the outside of the dorsal. Can be commonly (though not always) seen together with the above two pinning types making for quite an attractive look!
Phantom
Still the prominent scales are displayed to either side of the dorsal, the different being they are not the cream or white we've just been looking at! They are usually a varying shade (same, slightly lighter or darker) of the base colour itself, occasionally some of the pins may be tipped or highlighted cream/white or orange. Phantom pinning, like that of the classic pinning, can come in varying degrees though rarely mentioned beyound that of a High % or full.
Still the prominent scales are displayed to either side of the dorsal, the different being they are not the cream or white we've just been looking at! They are usually a varying shade (same, slightly lighter or darker) of the base colour itself, occasionally some of the pins may be tipped or highlighted cream/white or orange. Phantom pinning, like that of the classic pinning, can come in varying degrees though rarely mentioned beyound that of a High % or full.
Phantom owned by GeckoDiet, also showing Reverse pinning
|
Young Phantom by Cresties Addicted
|
Lovely Olive with Phantom owned by Cresties Addicted
|
Super stripe
From what i understand this is where the dorsal pinning may be of more than one row and the stripe much thicker in colour. The dorsal colour itself is typically much narrower as a result and should give the appearance of a darker stripe sandwiched between the pinning. This in many cases is much more noted in younger individuals, while a more matured adult may see the dorsal break from a solid darker stripe to that of a darker patterned that is usually seen on Harlequins and Extreme Harlequins...just narrower. This can also be displayed along with reverse pinning and quad striping. |
Beautiful Crestie that i would describe as a super stripe from Extreme Cresties
|
Super Soft Scaled co owned by Crestie Jungle and ExtremeCresties
|
Soft scale and Super soft scale
These are relatively new to traits to the crestie world. Soft and super soft are one of those traits that are best seen and felt to properly understand rather than just the visual of any of the other traits. They are both two varying degrees of the same trait, Super being the most extreme display. The reduction in scales gives both a softer feel compared to other cresties but also brings out/heighten's some of the contrast in pattern and colour traits. The one featured on this site is a Super soft that is co-owned by Tom David from Extreme Cresties and Gary Sansom from Crestie Jungle. When as to describe Gary said the following... "Softscale is one of those things you has to see and feel in person to really appreciate it. The super is like nothing I've felt before it almost feels as though there are no scales at all. It's very silky/velvet to the touch, the colour is noticeably different as well. The only way i can describe it is clean and crisp. It has an almost flat appearance but is definitely more vivid. The scales are not as tightly packed together and are more spaced out - The legs for example, they're not as elongated as a normal crestie and don't tend to overlap." |
Furred
Furred is pinning gone wild so to speak! This is when prominent scales clustered or are rows deep rather than the classic uniformed look of pinning as we have seen it so far! and not necessarily to the dorsal line...prominent scales can appear on the laterals too. This trait when displayed gives the appearance of being furry (as much as scales and reptiles can go of course!) thus earning its name furred. |
So there we have it! Structural Traits complete! Finally we'll be taking a look at the few morphs that crested geckos have to offer...