Eclipse Leopard Gecko
The Eclipse is a recessive trait best known for changing the eyes: a full Eclipse has solid, all-black (or all-ruby) eyes, while a partial expression called "snake eyes" leaves only part of the iris filled in.
🗓️ Last reviewed: July 2026
Overview
The Eclipse is a recessive trait best known for changing the eyes: a full Eclipse has solid, all-black (or all-ruby) eyes, while a partial expression called "snake eyes" leaves only part of the iris filled in. It is a widely used building-block gene that appears in many famous combos rather than a standalone flashy color. The Eclipse is a morph of the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius).
What it is
Eclipse is an eye and extremity trait rather than a whole-body color change. On a normal or wild-type leopard gecko the eye shows a patterned silver-grey iris with a vertical pupil. On an Eclipse the iris pigment fills in solidly, giving a clean black or dark ruby eye, and the animal often has a lighter, sometimes pinkish snout and feet. The body color and pattern come from whatever other genes the gecko carries.
The genetics
Eclipse is a simple recessive trait. A gecko needs two copies of the Eclipse gene (one from each parent) to actually show the eyes; an animal with a single copy is a "het" (heterozygous) carrier that looks normal-eyed but can pass the gene on. Because it is recessive there is no "super" form and no co-dominant behavior, so it is not one of the traits the hobby loosely calls "co-dom." Eclipse is frequently stacked into designer combos: it is one of the ingredients in well-known projects such as RAPTOR and various "eclipse" and "total eclipse" lines, where it is paired with albino, patternless and other genes.
Appearance
The signature feature is the eye. A full Eclipse shows a completely solid eye with no visible iris pattern, reading as glossy black or deep red depending on the other genes present. "Snake eyes" is a partial expression where roughly half the eye is filled in solid and the rest stays patterned, which is prized by many keepers for its unusual look. Eclipse animals also tend to have white or pale pink snouts and lighter feet. Body base color and markings vary completely depending on the other morphs stacked in, and the eye trait itself is present from hatching rather than developing with age.
How it is bred
Because Eclipse is recessive, a gecko only displays it when it inherits two copies. Breeders produce Eclipses by pairing two visual Eclipses, or by pairing animals that both carry the gene as hets, or a visual to a het. Two visuals together produce all visual Eclipse offspring; het-to-het pairings produce a mix, only some of which show the trait, with others carrying it hidden. To make the popular combos, keepers stack Eclipse with other recessive or line-bred traits over successive generations so that a single animal expresses several genes at once.
Cost and availability
Eclipse is an established, readily available trait. On its own or in simple combos it sits in the affordable, beginner-friendly range and is easy to find from hobbyist and professional breeders. Prices climb when Eclipse is part of a more complex multi-gene designer combo or a cleaner high-end line, but the gene itself is common and not considered rare or exotic.
Health and ethics
The Eclipse gene carries no special health or welfare problem beyond normal leopard gecko care, and it is not linked to the neurological or balance disorders seen in some other morphs. Solid Eclipse eyes are a pigment trait and do not by themselves impair the animal. As with any gecko, choose a reputable breeder who keeps honest lineage records, and see a reptile (herp) veterinarian for any health concern. One practical note: because full Eclipse eyes are solid, a keeper cannot judge eye health by iris appearance alone, so a vet check is the right call if a problem is suspected.
Care
Care is identical to a standard leopard gecko - the Eclipse gene changes only how the animal looks, not what it needs. Follow the same enclosure, heat, humidity, diet and handling guidance you would use for any leopard gecko, and rely on reputable general leopard gecko care resources and a herp vet for husbandry and health questions. There is no special Eclipse-specific husbandry.
Eclipse Leopard Gecko - frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a full Eclipse and snake eyes?
Both come from the same recessive gene. A full Eclipse has completely solid, filled-in eyes, while snake eyes is a partial expression where only part of each eye is solid and the rest keeps the normal patterned iris.
Is the Eclipse gene bad for the gecko's health?
No. Eclipse is a pigment trait affecting the eyes and extremities, and it is not tied to any known neurological or welfare disorder. The gecko needs the same care as any leopard gecko, and a herp vet can check the eyes if you ever have concerns.