Leopard Gecko Morphs: A Comprehensive Guide to Color & Pattern Variations

A morph is a heritable color/pattern variant produced by selective breeding. Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) now exhibit hundreds of morphs, combining recessive, dominant, co‑dominant, and polygenic traits.

Foundational Morphs (Single‑Gene)

Morph	Inheritance	Appearance
Normal (Wild Type)	—	Yellow/tan with black bands/spots
Albino (3 strains: Tremper, Rainwater, Bell)	Recessive	No black pigment; white/cream body, pink/red eyes
Blizzard	Recessive	Patternless white/gray; blue‑gray eyes
Patternless (Murphy’s)	Recessive	No spots/bands; solid yellow to gray
Hypomelanistic (Hypo)	Co‑dominant	Reduced black pigment; fewer/smaller spots
Super Hypo	Homozygous Hypo	Nearly patternless, bright yellow/orange
Tangerine	Polygenic	Enhanced orange/red coloration
Carrot Tail / Carrot Head	Polygenic	Orange pigment on tail/head
Bold Stripe	Dominant	Dorsal stripe, reduced side pattern
Jungle	Dominant	Broken, irregular bands
Stripe	Recessive	Clean dorsal stripe, no side bands
Eclipse	Recessive	Solid black eyes (snake eyes), often with pattern changes
Marble Eye	Recessive	Swirled/colored iris
White & Yellow	Dominant	White body, yellow head/tail; variable expression

Popular Combo Morphs

• Mack Snow + Albino = Snow Albino (white, pink eyes)
• Mack Snow + Eclipse = Super Snow Eclipse (solid black eyes, high contrast)
• Tangerine + Hypo + Carrot Tail = “Tangerine Dream” line
• RAPTOR = Tremper Albino + Eclipse + Patternless (red eyes, no pattern)
• APTOR = Albino + Patternless + Tremper + Eclipse (similar, different albino strain)

Genetics Primer

• Recessive: Need two copies (homozygous) to express.
• Dominant: One copy expresses; homozygous often more intense/lethal.
• Co‑dominant: Heterozygous = intermediate; homozygous = “super” form.
• Polygenic: Multiple genes + selection = continuous variation (e.g., tangerine intensity).

Buying Advice

• Buy from reputable breeders who know lineage and genetics.
• Ask for parent photos and genetic IDs.
• Avoid “designer” names without genetic basis.
• Health > aesthetics: prioritize clear eyes, good weight, active behavior.

Morph diversity reflects decades of dedicated breeding. Understanding genetics helps you choose a healthy, stunning gecko.