Where are the giant leachies?

[slsmallwood]

It was nearly 20yrs ago when I saw my first leachies. They were all W.C. Adults and around 12-14 in. T.L. At that time, we knew about the LG. Pair that now belongs to P. Tremper. We all speculated that with captive breeding and proper husbandry that in the near future we would see giant leachies that may possible exceed the 16-17 in. Mark. Now, years later I have to wonder - where are the giant leachies? I have seen some very heavy leachies, this is by no means what I am referring to when I say Giant I my self have had leachies that for lack for a better term were obese due to diet and over feeding in an attempt to obtain greater lengths, I am not a fan of overly heavy leachies but prefer more of a true reprentative of a healthy animal one might find wild in N.C.

[NorCalInvs]

Originally Posted by slsmallwood

It was nearly 20yrs ago when I saw my first leachies. They were all W.C. Adults and around 12-14 in. T.L. At that time, we knew about the LG. Pair that now belongs to P. Tremper. We all speculated that with captive breeding and proper husbandry that in the near future we would see giant leachies that may possible exceed the 16-17 in. Mark. Now, years later I have to wonder - where are the giant leachies? I have seen some very heavy leachies, this is by no means what I am referring to when I say Giant I my self have had leachies that for lack for a better term were obese due to diet and over feeding in an attempt to obtain greater lengths, I am not a fan of overly heavy leachies but prefer more of a true reprentative of a healthy animal one might find wild in N.C.

Here is a F1 Poindimie (Pure locale no conspiracy behind it) owned by Steve thats close to 16.5" TL and not super old so who knows how big he will be 10 years from now. He is also by no means is a fat or obese Leachianus either, I think this is exactly what you were looking for.

[slsmallwood]

Questions- two zoos both aquired GT leachies around 20 yrs ago, all about 12 in. TL they bred and were kept at ideal leachi conditions as we currently understand them. Twenty yrs later, 2 orginal males still survive, both only 14 in. TL. 1- why such a slow growth rate? 2- what is missing in their husbandry that would keep them from reaching their maximum size? 3- is 14in. The maximum size? 4- are the Tremper monsters simply a fluke of nature? These are just a few of questions I hope to answer in the near future.

[NorCalInvs]

Originally Posted by slsmallwood

Questions- two zoos both aquired GT leachies around 20 yrs ago, all about 12 in. TL they bred and were kept at ideal leachi conditions as we currently understand them. Twenty yrs later, 2 orginal males still survive, both only 14 in. TL. 1- why such a slow growth rate? 2- what is missing in their husbandry that would keep them from reaching their maximum size? 3- is 14in. The maximum size? 4- are the Tremper monsters simply a fluke of nature? These are just a few of questions I hope to answer in the near future.

I am confused now, isnt the pic above your post an example that 14" TL is not max size.

[slsmallwood]

Talked with Steve last Wk, if that's the longest leachie he has, 15-15 1/2 in. Pure pon. I hope to get a female from it very soon, its a W.C.?

[NorCalInvs]

Originally Posted by slsmallwood

Talked with Steve last Wk, if that's the longest leachie he has, 15-15 1/2 in. Pure pon. I hope to get a female from it very soon, its a W.C.?

Its an F1 dont think its his longest but maybe. And the ruler is 15" and he had told me its around 16". I am getting offspring from him in the next month.

[aschnell]

Before we start down this road again, I think it's important to note that I've done it all when it comes to trying to obtain size comparison pictures. I think it's important to say that asking questions gets us nowhere, Ive been doing it for a while - and honestly I think maybe only 3 people even care enough to ask questions like this on a public forum or ask private breeders for pictures of their animals (neither of which ever really gets any sort of response). Sorry to be a downer, but once people here tell you to give up on this search for the largest leachianus enough times - you start to listen. I've gotten enough crap hurled at me for being inquisitive and even pushy about this subject to know when to stop.

I've resorted to raising my own giants and am just going to wait it out. Maybe someone will actually care once I post pictures of my future 13 inch SVL giants, that'd be the day.

I've started over 14 threads asking for size comparison pictures of large leachianus, one of which finally got a good response, see the link below...

http://www.forums.repashy.com/rhacod...-look-big.html

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Originally Posted by slsmallwood

1- why such a slow growth rate? 2- what is missing in their husbandry that would keep them from reaching their maximum size?

There are almost too many variables to say why, but I can list a few...
-An excessive amount of cooling in the winter (NC barely has seasons, it's in the 70s year round)
-See through enclosure with too much human traffic around causing potential stress to the animals
-Improper placement of food bowls in the cages leading to less food eaten
-Improper diet
-Improper habitat
-Improper seasonal cycling
-Improper humidity
-Not enough hiding spots
-Close exposure to other leachianus may lead to stress depending on the individual
-etc

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Originally Posted by slsmallwood

3- is 14in. The maximum size?

No. Also I think we should really be comparing SVL here, that is the true marker of the size of a leachianus, not weight, not TL.

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Originally Posted by slsmallwood

4- are the Tremper monsters simply a fluke of nature?

No, they're just old. 1/8 of an inch of growth per year for 20+ years as adults = big gecko.

[aschnell]

Here are some of my favorite large leachianus pictures. I was present for the taking of all except one of these photos.

[Paradon]

Is that your leachi? He's huge...and pretty! How old is it?

[Paradon]

Originally Posted by aschnell

Before we start down this road again, I think it's important to note that I've done it all when it comes to trying to obtain size comparison pictures. I think it's important to say that asking questions gets us nowhere, Ive been doing it for a while - and honestly I think maybe only 3 people even care enough to ask questions like this on a public forum or ask private breeders for pictures of their animals (neither of which ever really gets any sort of response). Sorry to be a downer, but once people here tell you to give up on this search for the largest leachianus enough times - you start to listen. I've gotten enough crap hurled at me for being inquisitive and even pushy about this subject to know when to stop.

I've resorted to raising my own giants and am just going to wait it out. Maybe someone will actually care once I post pictures of my future 13 inch SVL giants, that'd be the day.

I've started over 14 threads asking for size comparison pictures of large leachianus, one of which finally got a good response, see the link below...

http://www.forums.repashy.com/rhacod...-look-big.html

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There are almost too many variables to say why, but I can list a few...
-An excessive amount of cooling in the winter (NC barely has seasons, it's in the 70s year round)
-See through enclosure with too much human traffic around causing potential stress to the animals
-Improper placement of food bowls in the cages leading to less food eaten
-Improper diet
-Improper habitat
-Improper seasonal cycling
-Improper humidity
-Not enough hiding spots
-Close exposure to other leachianus may lead to stress depending on the individual
-etc

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No. Also I think we should really be comparing SVL here, that is the true marker of the size of a leachianus, not weight, not TL.

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No, they're just old. 1/8 of an inch of growth per year for 20+ years as adults = big gecko.

You forgot feeding the animal at the wrong time, like, feeding a nocturnal gecko during the day. They can't digest the food properly if they are fed when they are supposed to be sleeping, which leads to malnutrition. Feed the animals when they are most active.