The Eclipse genetic in leopard geckos is a recessive gene affecting eye pigment and pattern. It can make the eyes completely black (or red in an albino), make a percentage of the eye black (called “snake eyes”), or not be expressed in the eyes at all (called “Abyssinian” or “clear-eyed eclipse”). The gene tends to speckle the pattern of the gecko, especially on the tail. Eclipse-heterozygotes often will express this speckled tail pattern as well.
In 2021, two homozygous-eclipse leopard geckos hatched from two different sets of parents on my collection. They express the typical eclipse pattern, but they both have only one eye expressing eclipse.
![](https://henrysreptiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_4522-1024x826.jpg)
![](https://henrysreptiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IMG_4455-958x1024.jpg)
I am wondering if anyone else has seen this trait in their baby leopard geckos. I don’t know if the eye-expression element of eclipse is polygenic (can be line bred) or if there is another genetic at play of which I am unaware (or if it is even heritable). The father of the second gecko pictured is the grandfather of the third gecko pictured, so the gene may be heritable. Please reach out to me if you have even the slightest idea or if you have any questions (you can find my information under “Contact”).
Note: I am sorry for the poor photo quality. I am still figuring out how to photograph the eyes of leopard geckos accurately.