Leo Giant gene?

[lil_jo84]

Hi can someone please explain how the giant gene works in leopard geckos.

Also what is defined as a giant as I have two visually larger leos within my collettion and wander if these are carrying giant genes or not.

Thanks

[sparky_bubble06@hotmail.c]

all i know is giants in adulthood weigh between 90g-125g. an can grow to about 11inches - i think - dont quote me on the length!

[pigglywiggly]

its co-dominant like mack snow is

heterozygous = giant

homozygous = supergiant

so if you bred a supergiant to a normal sized leo, all the babies would be giants.

[MrMike]

Giant isn't simply the weight. They do tend to have a slightly different shaped body. If you don't have evidence of the trait within the bloodline I would not label them Giants.

[luke622]

My male leo is about 7 years old and 11 inches is this big for a leo?
Also I have been told not to put small female(s) in with him is this true? if not what size should I put in with him and do they have to be a certain age?
Also is he too old to breed do they stop breeding at a certain age?
Any help appriciated.

[quadrapop]

they tend to reach 100g before their first birthday and 10+ inches. They can often have elongated tails too.

[GlasgowGecko]

Personally I think that 'tremper giant' is one of the biggest cons in the reptile world. Various breeders have had VERY mixed results from breeding, and I am incredibly sceptical.
The fact that it is almost impossible to delimit exactely what constitutes a giant makes the matter very difficult to prove.

Andy

[lil_jo84]

Thanks for all the info, I was just curious cos my male is a whopping 86g and 10in in lenght so it got me thinking about giants as i've never seen one so big. My biggest girl is only 8in so he even dwarfs her.

I would never class him as a giant tho cos I don't know his bloodlines

[Big Red One]

Originally Posted by GlasgowGecko

Personally I think that 'tremper giant' is one of the biggest cons in the reptile world. Various breeders have had VERY mixed results from breeding, and I am incredibly sceptical.
The fact that it is almost impossible to delimit exactely what constitutes a giant makes the matter very difficult to prove.

Andy

Must admit I can't say as I'm convinced either....

My big lad Max is 100g and about 10 inches, a massive boy - but as to whether he's 'giant' 'genetically' - hmm......
I think they may be just big leos that sometimes produce big babies !

[JRoss]

The giant gene is co-dominant. Therefore it is not masked by a dominant allele rather it is expressed with the other allele. Therefore breeding a giant with a giant produces 'true' giants whereas breeding a giant with a normal would produce intermediate sized offspring. The giant trait is not only a larger size but a different morphology and head:body ratio.