Some gargoyle geckos like to sleep upside down as a matter of personal preference. This is fine as long as their tails don’t start to ‘flop.’ Photo by Gargoyle Queen Reptiles
Symptoms:
- Tail hangs over gecko’s back or to the side when upside down
- Difficulty defecating or laying eggs
Cause:
- Sleeping upside down repeatedly
- Deformity of base tail bone and hips
Treatment:
Make an appointment with an exotic veterinarian. Tail amputation may necessary to prevent further deformity of the spine and/or hips.
FTS can be prevented or managed by cluttering the terrarium with lots of hiding spots and other décor, which will discourage the gecko from sleeping upside down.