How to Handle Leopard Geckos and Understand Their Body Language?

You know that all animals have their own unique behavior. If you want to become friends with your pet, you have to take into account its desires and instincts. Leopard geckos are unique too. But by understanding leopard gecko body language and its habits, you can make friends and face fewer difficulties.

Tips for Taming Leopard Geckos

When you bring your gecko home, it’s tempting to handle them right away. However, wait 2 weeks to allow them to settle into their new environment. If they haven’t eaten by then, see a reptile vet before handling.

After the waiting period, introduce yourself by placing your hand in the enclosure for a few minutes each night. Avoid using lotions or fragrances beforehand.

Start handling 5-minute sessions every other day, gradually increasing the length and frequency. Support their feet, body, and tail—never grab the tail, as it can detach. Stay close to the ground to prevent injury if they jump.

Make handling a positive experience. You can talk to your gecko and offer treats. Whether you handle them during the day or night is up to you; they may be less skittish during the day. Consistency is key to taming your gecko successfully.

Leopard Gecko Behavior And Body Language

Here we discuss the typical behavior of leopard geckos and what their body language means. However, you may encounter other manifestations. In this case, you should go to the forums. You may have to mask IP to unblock some of them. In this case, VeePN will help you collect information from all over the world.

Hiding

New leopard gecko owners often wonder why their pet hides so much. The main reason is that leopard geckos are nocturnal, meaning they stay hidden during the day and come out at night. Make sure you have three hides in their tank to keep them comfortable.

You should only worry if your gecko hasn’t left its hide for over 24 hours. This might mean the tank temperature is off or that your gecko is feeling unwell. Check for any abnormal behavior to ensure they’re healthy.

Escape Attempts

Leopard geckos often try to climb the glass walls of their tank, and this is usually normal behavior. However, it can also indicate that they are uncomfortable with their environment. If you see your gecko attempting to climb out of their tank, check the following to ensure their habitat is suitable: Tank Size: If the tank is too small, the gecko may be climbing because they need more space.

Non-Stimulating Environment: Leopard geckos can get bored with their environment. If the habitat in your gecko’s tank is too bare or boring, they may try to escape to something more interesting.

Confusion: Most animals don’t understand glass and will not know why they cannot pass through it. Your gecko may have forgotten that they cannot get around the glass, or they may be exploring to see if any part of the glass is open so they can leave the tank.

Tail Biting

Leopard geckos may bite each other’s tails during mating or to assert dominance. If you notice two males or females in the same tank biting tails and displaying defensive tail shakes, it’s best to separate them due to aggression. It’s generally advised not to house two males together, but mistakes can happen if a male is mistakenly identified as a female.

Leopard Gecko Tail Movements

There are a few different tail wiggle/shake movements a leopard gecko may use. They all have a specific behavioral nature, so they need to be considered separately:

• Defensive Tail Shake: Leopard geckos will shake their tails defensively when feeling threatened. They lower their bodies to the ground, point their tails upward, and wiggle them slowly while keeping their heads raised to watch the threat. If you’re nearby and see this gesture, avoid picking up the gecko as it might bite. Instead, try to reassure the gecko by standing still or slowly placing your hand in the tank for the gecko to inspect.
• Excitement Tail Shake: This tail shake is usually seen when geckos are hunting or eating, especially in younger geckos. The gecko raises its tail and moves it slowly from side to side. Just before attacking its prey, the gecko will quickly shake its tail. Understanding these tail movements can help you better interpret your leopard gecko’s behavior and respond appropriately.
• Slow Tail Shake: When a leopard gecko shakes its tail slowly, it’s signaling to other geckos that it is aware of their presence. The gecko typically lowers itself to the ground and moves its tail gently. This could also indicate excitement.
• Fast Tail Shake: Male leopard geckos often shake their tails rapidly when in the presence of females. This behavior informs the females that a male is nearby and aware of their presence.

Tongue Flicking

Leopard geckos have a Jacobson’s gland that helps them explore their surroundings by flicking their tongue, similar to how snakes do. It’s normal to see your leopard gecko flick their tongue to get used to new things in their tank.

Conclusion

When leopard geckos are aggressive, it is best to simply leave them alone for a while. Your job is to gain their trust. Once you have built a relationship and understand their behavior well, you can truly enjoy your gecko adventures.