The leopard gecko originated from the Middle Eastern region.  It was only in the 1970s that they started to import these lizards into the United States.  They started out with one main trait- skin akin to the wild feline, its namesake. Like the leopard, the leopard gecko had similar uses for its skin in the wild- camouflage and protection from predators.  Since there were several species and subspecies, there were a few variations in the appearance of these geckos.

Unwittingly, bred by inexperienced handlers, mutations began to occur in the colors and patterns of the leopard gecko.  Characteristics emerged that strayed from the norm.  While today, these "mistakes" are celebrated and sought after, these deviations are not of nature`s intentions.  These different characteristics make them susceptible to predator attack since it makes them very conspicuous and easy to spot.  In captivity, however, it`s another story.  These characteristics are now the product of deliberate and selective breeding. Leopard gecko aficionados are known to shell out a considerable amount of money to own one of these unique morphs.

One of the most expensive and in-demand of these morphs is the carrot tail leopard gecko. A lizard is considered a carrot tail if it meets this criterion: it needs to have 15% or ¼ orange pigmentation on its tail. Some rare geckos display a tail almost completely orange.

The carrot tail trait is usually emergent in Albey`s Tangerine Line and in the Ruby-eye Albino Patternless Tremper Orange, more often known as the R.A.P.T.O.R.  This strain also occurs in the Murphy Patternless leopard gecko.

These carrot tail leopard geckos are line bred.  What this implies is that both male and female need to be carrot tails to produce a carrot tailed offspring.  When more of the trait is desired, the geckos with more carroting should mate.

Another variation of this strain is the carrot head.  Carrot heads have orange tinged spots on the lizard`s head. This occurs solely in the Tremper Albino strain.

While breeding these enigmatic creatures is possible, it is quite a tedious undertaking.  The handler needs to take stock of his resources, the time in his hands (and his patience, of course) to make sure the pursuit of the carrot tail is not a half-baked effort.  Experts advise handlers to plot out and plan how things will pan out from beginning to end to ensure everything works out in the best way possible.