Leopard Gecko Behaviors Part 1

[@christiannaclingerman4631]

My male leopard gecko is very vocal at times. I sometimes hear him chirp right after he wakes up, so I guess waking up can be frustrating for him😂

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Relatable 😂

[@fuzzymelon1261]

I also have a male and he hasn't made a single peep in the 7 years ive had him

[@ProgressiveDiscussions]

I got this captive-bred older juvenile hypo Tangerine male leopard gecko online, even though I thought I was going to get a baby. Mayonnaise turned out to be a very nervous psycho. These damn lizards are supposed to be docile. It gave me a nasty bite one time.

[@carleehooley6338]

@@JessicasAnimalFriends My male Leopard gecko sometimes will squeak at night, but just once? Does that mean he is frustrated at me because I’ve put him on a diet? 😂

[@lindajohnson3272]

😂. Our leopard gecko prefers my bf to get him out of his enclosure. I do everything the same way and he croaks and complains because according to him I'm not doing it right. He also demands a shoulder ride before the bed blanket cave feeding or he waves his tail in anger at us. He runs our house hold😂

[@moved1470]

my gecko sploots all the time when he sleeps, it’s so freaking adorable 🥹🥹

[@sarahgipson3898]

i love her so much because she gives you the right info about Leos

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Awww thank you!!!

[@sarahgipson3898]

@@JessicasAnimalFriends you are welcome and you are an inspiration

[@SuperGiantGeckosLLC]

She’s a Saint

[@jasmynhayles7667]

My gecko tail vibrates when he’s stalking prey and he’s about to lunge at it to eat.

[@silverfire1248]

They do that a lot lol

[@jeffreysegarrajr.6903]

I seen that when they was ready to breed

[@loneplat9679]

@@jeffreysegarrajr.6903 i just got one he’s a baby and he’s doing that with his tail

[@deanthebean1771]

It means he's excited

[@alisonhansford512]

My gecko glass surfs (we call it wall climbing) when he wants attention. As soon as he sees me get close, he stops and looks straight up at me. I wish I could post pictures, here, I made a little collage with each stage of his 'asking'. He's so cute & I love him so much!!

[@Loveneverdies12]

Normal geckos: *vibrates tail when they spot female* My gecko: *vibrates tail when he sees me preparing food* Like mother like son

[@Thurston86]

I really wish we humans could lick our own eyeballs. It looks so satisfying.

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Underrated comment

[@monsieurbacteria1977]

Ew no

[@Superlizardy36]

@@monsieurbacteria1977 yes

[@abalt3019]

I want to sploooooot! Instead of tossing and turning nearly every night! :)

[@ellisisland3382]

As someone who suffers from dry eyes, I 100% agree with this.

[@MrJkfixe]

The most important gecko behaviour is basking. Basking is the way they regulate all their body functions because that's how they get their energy. Leopard geckos bask in the sun (more commomly cryptic basking), or in the bulbs - heat and uvb - for captive individuals, if they are ever given the chance

[@ProgressiveDiscussions]

They should make up their mind whether or not they are nocturnal or diurnal. The bastards in Florida's snakes at sunset sent me an older juvenile instead of a baby therefore it was very skittish.

[@samanthababasa4177]

Mine vocalizes when I don't give him attention. I researched and they say its because theyre annoyed. But when he's constantly doing it, I put my hand in the tank and he just climbs on my arm.

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

that's interesting!

[@Hamburglar009]

So happy to hear splooting is not a bad thing! I have a 3 month old that I got a week ago and I could see she was splooting under her warm side hide. I wasn’t too alarmed, but you never know.

[@HaRib0GutZ]

Me too my baby Buddy is only 7 months glad he is okay ❤️🥰

[@bluedraygon3545]

My gecko likes to dig and bury herself in the moss in her humid hide 😅

[@wyattwomble27]

my gecko vibrates his tail like that right before he lunges at his food which is adorable.he (or she, too young to tell) loves hunting

[@taylorthomas8586]

I for real thought my gecko was dead when she splooted for the first time 😅 I immediately started tearing up and I was like “Ash. ASSSHHHH”. She was not happy ab it but I was relieved asf 🤣

[@cyberwasp461]

You mentioned splooting. My Felix does this a lot but sometimes does it while hanging from the top, "wire mesh," of the tank. He's definitely nuts!!

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Oh wow I love when leos do strange things 😂

[@lollybirdy]

My geckos will sploot on my hand and it's the cutest thing! They just relax and lay there... So precious ❤️😍🥺

[@sonicultronfive]

For real 🥺

[@teddyroberts308]

My Oscar will sploot in his warm hide, which is a half log. I think it's absolutely adorable.

[@TristenRobinson]

My gecko doesn’t glass surf but he does scratch the tank at the door when he wants to play 😂

[@noauzeea4533]

Mine is hella werid He likes to sit in my hands and just *chill* And he only wags his tail when he eats *and when he screams he sounds like a minecraft bat death sound*

[@reptilianviolinist]

my gecko squeaks a lot when he’s mad that he can’t fit in a place that is way too small for him in his hide

[@erinkozlowski9587]

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR MAKEING THIS VIDEO my gecko does some of this stuff and I got worried that it wasn’t normal THANK YOU

[@thememebandit6767]

My female leopard gecko during ovulation season was just glass surfing all the time like she was just sprinting all around her enclosure climbing up everything glass serving on everything you name it

[@scottiegaming2023]

I just got mine and it’s my first time, she was glad surfing alot in her new home but now she move to her hide spot to another most times

[@thememebandit6767]

@@scottiegaming2023 yea same with mine

[@davidcross3048]

Not one unlike... respect

[@ColdbloodedCompassion]

Your videos are very much helpful! I am no where near ready to take these on, moving out of state this year, but I am learning so much about the species. A few years from now and I will have all the knowledge and space. As well as constant thirst to learn new and better ways to keep the reptiles that bring such joy to my world. Thank you!!!

[@Adulting_Autistic]

I love my Gecko so much. She asks out of her tank and six weeks from getting her, today she charged me and jumped in my hand and fell asleep twice all snugged under my fuzzy robe. Seriously, I love her. I can't believe I have lived my whole life without the love of a Gecko.

[@askthefrog]

Gosh that's adorable! My corn snake likes to nestle in my hair 😄

[@starbyray7828]

I wish I had discovered the Joy of Geckos sooner. I have had Tropical fish and bred them, Guinea Pigs and bred them (17 at one point). Budgerigars (did not raise any chicks), Cats and raised kittens, Labradors and raised puppies (one of which I kept), and finally discovered I have an affinity with Geckos and have started raising my first hatchling. They all brought joy and wonder into my life. Oh its time to feed my hatchling she is sitting on her rock waiting for me to open the door :0)

[@Adulting_Autistic]

@@starbyray7828 I'm sitting here watching a Dubia roach give birth lol. I also bred Cavies. I showed some too when I was younger. I bred rats for over thirty years. Miss them but became horribly allergic. You sound like me a lot.

[@Adulting_Autistic]

@@askthefrog I would love that so much. So cute.

[@starbyray7828]

​@@Adulting_Autistic WOW I have not seen my Dubias give birth!. Sorry for the delay in replying been super busy this week 1st spare time I have had to get on YTube. Tonight I have just discovered my second baby Leo has hatched! I am so thrilled. Her batch mate must be about due too. I expected that one to hatch fist as it is a bit bigger. Now I have a new hatchling I can compare to Little Jesse born 6 weeks ago I can see just how fast Little J has grown!.

[@GACHAnabiiee]

my male leopard gecko chirps when i move him away from my shoulder 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@smexipenguin]

This is a great video, I’ve learnt so much about behaviours I’ve wondered about before. My male leo does the tail waving exclusively when he sees the tortoise, the cats walk near his enclosure, he’ll open an eye and stay in his sploot, giant Labrador? Not worried. Insanely loud vacuum? I could take it. But boy does he put on a show for the tortoise.

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

LOL mine chase the vacuum!

[@smexipenguin]

Jessica’s Animal Friends yup my boy Rex is convinced he could fight it and win, comes charging out of his hide ready for a fight, it’s hilarious

[@slothlymetal3579]

My leo will "bonk" her nose into me over and over or kind of like nuzzle her head into my hand or arm before deciding to climb on it sometimes. And also make "slithering" motions with her neck. Is this the Jacobson's gland coming into play or is she just trying to squeeze by me?

[@askthefrog]

Thank you so much for another great video! I'm getting ready to get a leo (I will move in two weeks and I'm not completely done with the enclosure), I decided this almost a year ago and I really appreciate all your videos! I watch a lot of reptile KZbinrs (I already have two snakes) but you are my go to for leos 😊❤

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Awwww thanks so much!! I’m glad to help :)

[@harpervee]

I always wondered why my Leo would slowly wave his tail like a flag lol

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

I love when they do that lol

[@MayaJones-im2bf]

my leopard gecko came to me with mbd and its so sad but i love her to death anyway shes so cuteeeee shes also blind in one eye so shes a lil special like me.

[@tokage6248]

This is very helpful for first time Leopard gecko owners (like myself) so i can understand my geckos behaviours better

[@qr1739]

Ciara Gowers how long ago did you get yours ? I got mine two days ago. And I couldn't be happier.

[@tokage6248]

Q R I got mine last year in November. They’re truly great pets. Mine likes to sit on my chest while i watch tv for a few mins aha

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Awww so glad to hear it :)

[@qr1739]

Ciara Gowers Mines just a wee baby so the most I can do without him running off right now is just let him sit on my hand

[@tokage6248]

Q R Awh! Mine is a year old

[@cristina_ods]

Your videos are super useful, the only reason I usually check out leopard gecko/leopard gecko talk first is because I love that she mainly us footage of her geckos rather then her face... you have a lovely face but her geckos are so damn cute and it keeps me watching the videos when i’m bored because I get to see cute geckos as well as get loads of info lol

[@cristina_ods]

some eco earth is good. arcadia earth mix arid is amazing for leos... not sure if this is what you would consider eco earth though

[@biancarenee5784]

Loved it!! Can’t wait for part 2!! ❤️

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Thanks!

[@rosierodriguez5861]

When my leo yawns I'm always shocked by how much space there is in there, not much brain to be found hahaha

[@brittpeck4070]

I thought it was just me that was alarmed by my new gecko sleeping like he was hit by a bus lmao

[@loritush336]

One of my leopard geckos shakes and waves his tale when he is hunting his crickets

[@elenapolczynski1038]

My gecko vocalized and I was so concerned… till I realized I had put the cricket container next to her tank and found her staring at it 😂😂

[@P1NKLIAM]

My gecko yawned then fell asleep on my hand

[@emmabauer3325]

I just got my Leopard Gecko Kiwi today and they’ve mainly been hiding away in their cave, but I’m watching your videos to learn how to properly interact with them and as I’m watching they came out of their cave to say hello :) they’re a juvenile so I need to wait a bit longer to see what their gender is

[@brentwong6982]

Male gecko go BRRRRRRR! Boing!

[@Patayder]

I caught my baby leopard yawning yesterday :D

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Cute!

[@tokage6248]

Love your videos so much! They’re so helpful 🥰

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Awww thank you!

[@angieblu0]

The first time i saw my geko splooting i thought he died it was probably the scariest thing ive seen him do lmao

[@hermesgeko]

My female vibrates her tale when she's hunting crickets. She also looks dead when she sploots... It still alarms me sometimes. She is a rescue and we still have issues with good weight gain... That is my only excuse. Lol

[@lisamiles2887]

We got our gecko about 3 weeks ago and she's so cute she manipulates me!😂

[@Liv-LA]

My leo once fell asleep in the corner of the tank standing up on his back legs

[@LEOPARDGECKOS301]

my leo growls at me

[@Marshmallow001p]

You are really pretty btw and this video helped me so much! I’m getting a ton of misinformation out there 🤦‍♀️

[@minecraftcave7747]

My gecko be like: don’t ever come out of hiding

[@WiggleKJV]

Carcee tail vibrates when he/she is about to dive for crickets

[@WiggleKJV]

Also mine vocal is hissing when she/he are mad

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

I cover this in part 2 :)

[@WiggleKJV]

@@JessicasAnimalFriends My gecko is so spunky and seriously gives us sass when she is hungry ! She also a messy girl and gets her calcium EVERYWHERE.

[@kura6]

Pfff the photo of Merlin hunting your dog is hilarious. Leos are truly strange

[@tmxx3328]

I got my first leopard gecko and was scared on why he would squeal every nite around the same time. Turns out he would scream (cuz it sounds like a little attention scream) cuz he was hungry lmao

[@AcheronAlex]

My boy glass surfs every night when dinner is prepared. If you are a lil late he scratches the glass. The moment the clock hits 22:30 I go start foods and just watch him surf asking for roach. He stops if you open his door and he just stands there ready to lunge at food. And then he stops and never does it again. Also he stares at the food while i choose roaches and just intensely staring at the food. I tend to put the critter keeper on his enclosure so I can see roach sizes. And i can see him raise up from below eyes trained on the roaches. He is a good lil hunter. He also tail rattlws when he hunts. It's chte.

[@Mountain_man729]

My leopard gecko burbs after it eats. Is that normal?

[@SevyS7]

Whenever I hold Hunter if he wants to climb up something (eg my shirt) I help him by putting my hand behind him to help him so he doesn't fall or anything

[@hello-me1wt]

Is it OK that I don't really think that my lepord gecko likes climbing

[@emmabauer3325]

Leopard geckos aren’t the greatest at climbing, so they’re probably ok, but if they don’t climb ever then maybe talk to the vet? Check if their joints are swollen

[@hello-me1wt]

Thank you

[@legacyily]

My male leopard gecko scratches his head a decent bit but he also stalks my dogs. I’m not kidding he hates my dogs in my head tried to attack through his tank everytime he sees them lay down to sleep and I get a picture of them nose to nose at least once a day (obviously never actually face to face through the tank) lmaooooooo

[@SuperGiantGeckosLLC]

Male tail breeding rattle is sooo hilarious Glass surfing means she wants sex.

[@marley_splash2026]

This is just the video I needed! I just got my calcium powder in (the one you recommend, thank you!) so I’ll be able to get my first Gecko soon!

[@danielcepeda2408]

I really enjoyed this video, it's very informative, I want to get a leo in the future!!

[@Kimmaline]

I looked through at least 100 comments and didn't see ANYONE mention this! FERRETS!!! No, I'm not high. Well, okay...I'm not just randomly saying, "ferrets!" Can we agree on that? 😉 Anyway, ferrets sploot. They will sleep in the most jacked up positions, and they sleep SO deeply you can pick them up and move them around and they flop like ragdolls. Anyway, that is where I know the term "splooting" from. They also do it sometimes when they are awake...they are so friggin dramatic and I've seen them use it as a way of saying, "you are so MEAN why I can't have ten more treats?" I currently live in California--home of, "let's make all of our animal laws based firmly in defiance of science." As such, no ferrets for me until we move out of state in a year or two. (They are illegal here because of a fear of them becoming invasive--a thought only ever held by someone who has never met a domesticated ferret.) But hey, axolotols are ALSO illegal here. Wanna know why? Because we can't have any endangered species, and the true wild axolotol is highly endangered. Red sided garters, too. 🫣

[@DaisyRenee713]

YEP....glass surfing girl here😲 Guess I might can expect some infertile eggs also?

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Definitely possible! Check out my ovulation and Egg Laying video!

[@coraudarbe7130]

My geck holds his eye down or both eyes down when am teasing lovingly

[@aidancraig1903]

I’ve noticed that my Leo does the fast tail wag vibration when he goes to attack a cricket. Only crickets though… no idea why

[@monsieurbacteria1977]

Its to distract the prey

[@susienorman1898]

Great videos 6 months old and finally plucked up courage to handle my sons,, cabt get enough, 😊

[@alepatchio8579]

i love this!! i never seen anyone cover the prey drive, one of my leos does that all the time and i thought she was just aggressive lol

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Oh I’m glad I covered it then!

[@q_lut0]

Imagine if dudes rattled their feet every time they saw a girl and said “I smell lady”

[@jeffreyresendes4679]

Iv watched all ur videos. Ty for them they helped alot but my leopard gecko still isn't eating what should I do?

[@MaeleighA-pb3jg]

My gecko is 8.... I have had him for one week. He's blind in one eye... he dosnt like me right now any tips to get rango to enjoy my presence? I need to get front opening encloser.... :[ I'll make one!! Hehe naa... any tips to get my leo to like me?

[@duckheadbob]

thanks! your videos are great!

[@TrailoftheWildWild]

Few, I just got my gecko and they were in shed. She was opening her eyes when she had just started shedding, but after a little while her eyes started closing a little more. And guess what, she has stuck shed on her head. I will help remove the shed today. But I think because she was in a new tank, she didn’t know where her humid hide was. Hopefully she will get better soon!(Btw she was also on sand before I got her)

[@TrailoftheWildWild]

I pulled off the shed! She is now opening her eyes a lot more, and they are currently hunting for food.

[@apaoacil]

You should get a degree in leopard geckos! Not only their needs but u also understand their behaviour.. cool!

[@dreadkx6214]

I have a question I see a lot of people’s geckos going out in the light but my gecko has never been seen to come out I don’t know why maybe you know

[@nylabooo]

My gecko (Sage) always sploots when she’s sleeping 😭

[@denoshuniak2431]

Have you seen or heard of protective behavior gecko mom's have for their young. I saw a mother gecko grab a little one by the back of the neck, like cats do, to get her little one out of danger (me).

[@lelagood5645]

this helped so much thankyou!

[@kelseydavis8730]

My leopard gecko does like the fast tail wag thing every time I feed him crickets he does it right before he goes to grab it I don’t know if he just loves crickets or what

[@Irise343]

Bah ha ha you will hear a thud soon if you don't secure that lid. 😜 Yes they do climb

[@tawnyanderson3582]

Can I ask you what your thoughts are on the best substrate for the moist hide is? I currently am using paper towels.. but I peeped in at him today and he was trying to eat the paper towel... i got it away from him with out him eating it but now I am worried..

[@animalloverandericadetmer5485]

I wanted to say I love your show so much and you’ve helped me out so much, me and my leopard gecko skittles posted a video watching yours if you care I will take it down so please let me know I hope you don’t mind and you have truly helped me tremendously so thank you 💕❓

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

No don’t take it down that’s fine! I’m grateful for the support ❤️

[@ridageckoguy3094]

My male used to rattle his tail in his old substrate (he developed a problem with eating the sand) when he was eating his food but only if he liked it because I saw he rattled it more with crickets than meal worms or horned worms

[@ridageckoguy3094]

My gecko closes one eye when I accidentally wake him up

[@ridageckoguy3094]

Oh it was not strait sand it was recommended for him

[@starbyray7828]

Hi Jessica, My Leos like to sploot on top of their hot hides and watch me with one eye open and one eye closed lol. They will alternate the eye that's peering at me if what I am doing holds their interest long enough. :0) Sometimes its just the one eye slowly opens "Oh its you making disturbing my sploot time is it" and slowly closes again lol. So funny. Baby Jesse has started splooting now too as she has grown bigger, 11g last weighing. Must do another soon. Her patterns seem to change every day, new dots, spots and thicker colour bands. She likes to sploot with her chin resting on something, just like her Dad. She is splooted right now bless her.

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

AWWW BABY JESSE ❤️

[@starbyray7828]

​@@JessicasAnimalFriends I hope you see this message. Tonight I have just discovered my second baby Leo has hatched! I am so thrilled. Her batch mate must be about due too. I expected that one to hatch first as it is a bit bigger egg. Now I have a new hatchling I can compare to Little Jesse born 6 weeks ago I can see just how fast Little J has grown!.

[@fastaci9969]

So I just decorated a new tank with some background moss and ground moss as well. He’s been licking his eyes and closing them both. Just wanted to know if that’s normal

[@lanibear2016]

mines rattles his tail when i feed him crickets only

[@andrewjones8647]

Thanks I learned a lot

[@alisonhansford512]

Juvenile Leo's will vibrate the tips of their tails when they're hunting.

[@skylarsmith4125]

my gecko like's it when i pet its back

[@nataliecauley9581]

My leopard gecko has screamed

[@Danny_tirrrred]

Why is calcium sand bad??

[@milliethebunnyrabbit]

If I don't feed the Leo on the eco+ sand will it be okay?

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

As long as your temperatures are good too, yes

[@lokilockness2970]

I live in Australia and I’m getting a thick tailed gecko, but I know the behaviours should be similar as there geckos except for the eye closing these guys can’t shut they’re eyes

[@kamdyndawson705]

So my leopard gecko is blind and he closes his eyes when he walks but he opens his eyes it when I grab him..? So is that normal?

[@giggleslaughter4984]

well i found out today that my gecko keeps laying down a lot even at night i dont know if i am doing anything wrong?

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Consult a vet, could be MBD

[@HidexHoldings]

☀️

[@mrsbelangerr2616]

So my 7 yr old has tourettes and he loves our lizards but when he holds them his tics act up bad... Earlier today he was holding our leopard gecko and his whole body started twitching really bad like I thought he looked like he was going into a seizure and he had the gecko in his hand so the little guy was kind of moved around quickly, not violently or anything, but when I took him from my son after the 2nd time of his tics acting up the little guy layed on my hand and I could feel him breathing super fast then I could see his mouth moving too like breathing hard and he looked pale, I was so scared and my son felt so bad, it lasted a few minutes and maybe 10 min later I gave him a meal worm and he seemed normal again his color was back and I've checked on him all day.... Just wondering if this was him being spooked??

[@actual______criminal]

About the digging thing, one thing I’ve noticed with both my female leo and baby male AFT is they both do this thing where they kinda clench their back legs and scratch the ground with their back foot simultaneously? It’s something I notice when I’m holding them and it’s usually in my bare skin which can actually kinda hurt. Is this normal behavior?

[@pamross7358]

Hi I have my Leo ii n a 20 long on its side so the screen facing out last little while my Leo keeps digging in on the screen why is he doing that seems like he's trying to tell me he wants out I take him out and he stops but does it shortly after

[@its_z0fn578]

1:00

[@teslalaschenko3473]

would you recommend a large low exo tera for a really big leopard gecko my leopard gecko is a year old and is the size of a full grown leopard gecko and i have a medium low exo tera for him

[@Mar-ft9xu]

Someone help. I’ve had my baby leopard gecko for a few weeks now and I’ve noticed really quickly that she likes climbing, eating, and exploring. She’s in a 40 gallon breeder tank, and the temp is always in the high 70’s to 80’s. She has only glass surfed once or twice, and she’s very happy. The thing that concerns me is that she is always awake and walking around and watching me. I’m not sure what it means, but she absolutely loves to climb and explore and I’m not sure if that’s why she is always awake. I know they are supposed to mostly be active during dawn and dusk, so that’s why it concerns me at why she is always watching me from the edge of the tank or walking around. Does anyone know why?