Leopard Gecko Behaviors Part 2

[@BrittanysZoo]

Found you when my leopard gecko started with a head tilt and circling a few weeks ago. Somebody mentioned enigma syndrome but I've had her for over 8 years without issue so I didn't think it was that. The vet ended up finding a fluid bubble in her ear, so I've been giving her meds for that and shes slowly getting better. Craziness! I was able to get a picture of the fluid bubble in her ear too, it's all insane lol. In all my research, I never found anyone talking about ear infection in geckos.

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Omg how peculiar, I’m adding that to my list of things that can cause neuro disorder symptoms! Video is scripted so you’re just in time lol. Glad to hear she’s getting better!

[@emoanimegirl11]

I like that you covered mutilation. When I was only a year into this hobby five years ago I had gotten a juvenile leo from an expo who for the first month was fine, but then started to mutilate herself. She’s rip her skin off and open right above her tail. She’d latch on and would not let go for hours or until I intervened. I tried everything to help her and tried to clean the wound and keep her heathy, but at that time there wasn’t many groups online for help on this and me being a minor I believed people online in videos saying a vet can’t help with this because it’s neurological and vets won’t treat that because they don’t have an idea how. She unfortunately died after about two weeks of this behavior. By the end I thought she was gonna recover because she stopped doing the biting, but two days before she passed she shed and that seemed to trigger her biting again. I guess the shedding of the skin over stimulated her into attacking herself.

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Thank you so much for sharing! It’s pretty rare, so I’m glad when people watch this video they can learn from your experience. And I’m sorry for your loss

[@anitaslack]

Viserion stops like "oh man she noticed me climbing down. stand still and maybe she'll forget!" Any videos with you leos is a good video!💙🌻

[@danieltaylor4185]

My gecko does the tail wiggle! Not the tail wave, the wiggle. Where she swishes it really fast before striking. It's very cute. I thought she'd grow out of it, but a couple years later after I took her home as a juvenile, she's still doing it. She's also very food-motivated when she's not ovulating, so that might have something to do with it.

[@izzyperkins3312]

my second gecko didn’t start glass scratching until she was taken out of the cage a lot more

[@cielrobinson]

every year when it gets towards winter, i convince myself my leos are dying when they slow down and eat less. then i remember brumation. they do still go for crickets thankfully with some hardcore tail wiggles (all except my regen girl). and hey my anxious vet visits have helped a local business!

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

It took me YEARS to stop fretting every little thing with the leos, brumation included, so I relate 😅

[@sarahcorsini8924]

Im exactly the same, my female leo has already srated signs of early brumation as she is already off her food and staying in her hides, i get so paranoid every year because i sadly lost a female due to have large eggs that she couldnt pass and now i worry it will happen again. I recently just got a male african fat tail and hes not even a year old yet and i just worry about his behaviour during brumation as ive never had a male before

[@MissImpolite]

My older Leo only does the tail wiggle when she's hunting crickets. Very amusing and cute 😍

[@Tasymantis]

yep, ive seen fast tail moving....cute)

[@starbyray7828]

Hi Jessica Viserion definitely has eyes for Meera x The tail tip wiggle is always cute. The undulating tail is interesting. One of my juvenile Geckos undulated her tail higher and higher until she had it above her like a scorpion! She was irritated because a cricket hid under her big rock just out of reach. The pawing at glass doors will be "Hey Dad let me come walk on you" or "Hey Dad needs foods now!". My adult male Leo, Leopold, will scratch at glass then crouch down when I look across at him play peep-po with me lol. He will also scratch glass to get me to open it then sit either looking out or climb onto his hot hide and sit staring out. If I slide the glass shut He will get down and scratch till I open it then return to his hide roof. My adult female, Lilah, will scratch to come out every day and evening as the time to lay eggs approaches (She also sleeps less and less until them thar eggs is laid). She also walks along to Leopolds glass doors when she is feeling frisky, she will scratch to get in, she desperately wants to get into Leopolds viv. He will do the same to hers. (I do not let them into each others vivs). All My babies started to scratch to come out and explore or get my attention at about four weeks old, this is the age they suddenly become inquisitive about the world beyond the glass. Once they know there is an exit that the big hooman can operate they want to come out walk about THEN go back in have their foods and chill lol. SO CUTE!. They also learn by observing their siblings at this age lol, both good and bad habits :0). They have also played tug-o-war when both hatchmates have grabbed the same meal worm!. Gecko behaviour continues to fascinate me. Oh my god, self mutilation sounds awful.... poor things. Stay safe and well :0)

[@cielrobinson]

i took my girl on an emergency vet visit because she was acting so weird all of a sudden. lethargic, not wanting food, and she's an absolute garbage disposal. i was in such a panic, i forgot to check the heat pad's temp, as ambient temp was good. i just got an emergency vet visit. she checked out great, and it was later that day i realized her heat mat had stopped working. zilla products seem to hate me.

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

OOOF defective heat mats are so annoying

[@samanthap9161]

11:33 that was adorable!!🦎

[@amymckenna5134]

My fat tail does the tail wiggle. I was told they do it to entice or attract their prey. No matter why they do it, i think is the cutest behavior he exhibits ❤🦎

[@jaidadavis9580]

I know you might not know the answer to this but how come pet stores like petco keep over 5 leopard geckos or different lizards in a 10 gallon tank all on top of each other with one hide and one plant WITH SAND, but when you want to take one home they recommend you to have at least a 10 gall for just one of them? Same as their fish. I went to get some glow fish but the lady there said that I would have to have at least 5 gallons for just on of them but there were at least 20 of them in what looked like a 10 gallon tank?

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

because they are only temporarily housing them, their goal is not proper husbandry in store. their goal is to sell animals and make as much profit as possible.

[@shmack72]

We stan a leopard gecko king

[@Alan-tr5uj]

Super informative video, this is great information to know.

[@Habibi_7218]

Great video 👍🏻👍🏻

[@rayven085]

Is there any possible way you could do the same videos but for African fat tails?

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Sure!

[@annabellestewart3441]

What does it mean if a leopard gecko smacks it tongue usually while or after eating? Like very slowly flinging it’s tongue across the bottom of its mouth and makes a loud click sound?

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

That is normal, and I have covered it either in part one or two, but the click sound is a little concerning. Does your gecko have a gaping mouth or a surplus of saliva?

[@anitaslack]

Have you seen females digging with their feet and mouth when ovulating? My female brumated and ovulated for the 1st time this year. When she started ovulating, she would dig at her stomach causing a sore spot. She also dropped her tail for no reason other than she was ovulating at the time. She hadn't gotten stuck or surprised. Also, after she dropped the first section, as it had started to heal, she bit that part of the tail off all the way and attacked the part she dropped. I'm hoping none of this happens again in spring. Any tips would be welcome. 🌻💙

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Wow that is a very strong reaction to ovulation. Self mutilation in geckos should be taken seriously as it is not normal. I say keep the spring months very calm for her. Offer more calcium and food as well during that time.

[@anitaslack]

@@JessicasAnimalFriends Its the first time she did in 4 years. I also had her seen by our exotic care vet to make sure nothing else was going on. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this Spring will not be like last. Thanks for the thought to keep everything around her calm as she comes out of brumation. I'm building a new enclosure for her so she can move into it once she's done brumating, now that her tail is regrown (and huge). I may move her from her current location into a less active room til Spring and her getting used to it. Thank you for all your insight. I've learned so much from your videos. 💙🌻

[@halieedson7200]

Thank you❤ i just got my first leopard gecko Jack a few days ago hes super sweet but i love videos like this i havent been able to find many 🙂

[@samanthap9161]

For the egg laying, female's bodies will make the egg, but it only needs to be layed if the egg grows a shell. If there is no shell the female can basically reabsorb the egg

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Before it becomes an egg it is called a follicle. Sometimes, ovarian follicles become eggs. Sometimes, they don’t and they’re absorbed. Sometimes the follicles build up and cause follicle stasis and sometimes the eggs aren’t laid and the gecko becomes egg bound. Sometimes the eggs calcify in the body. Sometimes the eggs burst on their way out. It’s a super complicated topic which is why I’m saving a whole video for it.

[@thememebandit6767]

OK so whenever I go near my leopard gecko feeding tank I have like a little bin where I keep her worms in it’s near her tank she knows where it is and when it’s time for me to deliver her food so whenever I go over to her been she is just frantic she’s just scratching at the door glass surfing everything she’s doing everything she can to get to those worms faster and whenever I open her tank she always climbs out and it is just the funniest thing

[@NienaRahim-h1y]

Hello, I just started having a leopard gecko. It is normal for it to stay on my head whenever Im handling him?

[@TheLizardKing140]

Do you have a video on non enigma neurological problems with leopard geckos? I think my gecko might have one but I dont think its enigma

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

No but I have one scripted so stay tuned

[@arnicamoana7861]

It definitely happens! A lot of people mistake it for enigma so im very excited for that video

[@ikedoforbes6516]

What kind of morph is he because I have one that looks very similar I call it Cheeto but IDK if it's old enough to know the gender yet

[@pamross7358]

Hi jessica my loe lays out in the open with his eyes open he looks depressed what kind of behavior is that

[@MadiGrace_14]

Handsome boy ❤❤❤

[@donettewelkerwelker426]

Hi what is the correct heat source for these geckos thank you

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Deep heat projector is a good idea

[@mandyjolie6549]

I have a serious question. I just got a Leo and I’m unsure as how often I refill the calcium carbonate in their bowl? To I need to make sure they have it at all times or what? Please HEEELLLPPPPP

[@elijahmiranda1229]

What if you house two leopard geckos since they were babies ?

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

There’s still always the risk of them fighting

[@fishisnotfishfish2267]

I want to be good to my gecko, they deserve it.

[@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?

[@webodeescorpion7037]

Maybe it sleeps when you don't see her, and also it is kinda normal for baby geckos being that active and curious.

[@lilybrown5357]

Is it normal for mine to just randomly splooch only his ass and stretch his back legs. He does that randomly but seem to walk fine

[@Swag_Hope]

I was at a pet store and they had like 7 leopard gecko in one teeny cage and only one hide! Some were also laying on top of each other… :((

[@leopardgeckolife9266]

I know this is unrelated to this video but if anyone sees this I would really appreciate if you could give me any tips. I have a juvenile leopard gecko and I want to be able to handle him (his name is Spot). Whenever I try to pick him up he just runs away and the most recent time I tried he wagged his tail and obviously felt extremely threatened - It was scares me a lot when he gets spooked because I care about him a lot. His belly is usually close to the paper towels so the scoop technique has not worked for me - my hand just bumps him and he runs away. I have tried scooping him up by using my thumb and fingers (kinda grabbing him but making sure I was using extremely light pressure). He did not seem to like any of my techniques - especially that one. He just kinda spooks and runs away. I am new to leopard geckos and don't know what to do. Any advice would be much appreciated. Side note: I have a front-opening terrarium but I have to reach my hand over the substrate-guard lip thingy which is quite high.

[@lilliancassady8954]

I’m new to leopard geckos too but maybe you could try putting your hand in the cage for a few minutes a day just to get him used to your hand? And then go from there? I did that with my leopard gecko and yesterday I picked her up for the first time (granted she was a little scared about being picked up but she was fine once I had her in my hand)

[@leopardgeckolife9266]

@@lilliancassady8954 Thank you!

[@lilliancassady8954]

@@leopardgeckolife9266 no problem :)

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

I have a video about introducing yourself to your gecko and handling that might help!

[@giannafortich7154]

I know this comment was made a while ago so you probably dont need the answer anymore but one thing that i did with my juvenile gecko was i would tong feed them for a bit and once they got used to that, i started holding the tongs over my flat hand so that they needed to climb on me to reach the food. Now whether its food or they just want to explore outside their enclosure, if I put my hand inside, they just climb right on it. Hope this is able to help at some point or maybe with a new little future leo!

[@bobsmith-lz2oj]

Hiya just wondering what is the best basking bulb for a bearded dragon please because I am getting a bearded dragon very soon. Please could you respond thank yoy

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

Please see my bearded dragon enclosure tour

[@oliviamae7912]

Tell me more about this wax worm addiction........ mine loves them

[@ridageckoguy3094]

Mine only bit me when he got started while shedding but he doesn’t like my mom so he bites her for no reason

[@lankos6734]

My 11 months old geko is sliping under grund for 3 days usuliy she its 3-4 times a week and is outh of the enclousiour every day shoud i be consurn

[@vero2121]

I have two gecko’s and when they are full the make this sideways movement with their had which looks like swallowing. Is this normal? You did not adress this in any of your videos. If anyone has seen this with their gecko please let me know.

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

it is in my part three :) yes it is normal!

[@vero2121]

@@JessicasAnimalFriends ok, thank you! Excited for part 3 then :)

[@mitchellegmbd]

My mom gronded me for no reason

[@Fullstop.punctuationXD]

😭

[@laatdovahkiiin-7482]

I actually need advice on how to take care of my gecko, I don’t know if anyone could help me, I just hope someone sees this. My gecko doesnt want me to hold him, he shed like last week and ive been trying to take his shed off and I don’t know how to help him, last time he had shed stuck I took it off and he was okay with it, I dont know about now he runs really fast and gets scared. I hope someone can help me thank you.

[@helianthe3457]

Hey, a bit late but next time consider going on subreddits like r/geckos and r/leopardgecko , people answer quickly there, and your question won't be lost in a yt comment section. If your gecko isn't tamed he's gonna be scared of your hand. As Jessica said, don't try to take him from above. You can start with putting your hand in his tank for a while everyday so he gets used to your smell and understand you're not a predator etc. You can also try to hand feed him to build trust. I hope you could fix the issue!

[@rfishrfish4242]

Self mutilation that you were talking about is usually caused by them wanting more protein if you feed them pinky mice now they do have to be full size then you won’t be getting any of that behavior, self mutilation mimicking their natural environment also includes high protein foods like pinky mice are excellent source for full size adult, leopard geckoes.

[@JessicasAnimalFriends]

That’s literally not true. A gecko will not bite itself if you don’t feed them pinky mice. Every case I’ve seen of self mutilation has been neurological or some form of owner neglect

[@collide1755]

Mine licks its tail

[@onion_oryx5155]

Apples

[@kendravoracek3636]

🖤🖤

[@ColdbloodedCompassion]

A part of me is sad that you are not a breeder. People like yourself make the best breeders because you truly care about what is best for the animal and not the money, but I do understand. Most of my reptiles will never breed because they are rescues and they have endured enough hardship through their lives. I do have a bonded pair of tokays who cried when I tried to separate them so.....