[went2red]

Hello,

My boyfriend and I ordered geckos online in late February. My fatty is named StephenColbert (there's not meant to be a space), and he has everything he needs in the tank - a few hides, a UTH, an overhead light with a red bulb for additional heat, coconut bark substrate, and dishes of water and supplement. He finally ate some mealworms the other day, but still hides alot and doesn't really come out all that much. My boyfriend sprays the tank once a day with water to keep humidity up, and keeps the humid hide moist, We also have a blanket draped over most of the tank to acclimate him from a bin with heating tape to an all-glass enclosure.

When we first got him, we took him out sparingly, but when we did he was very docile and friendly. Today, my boyfriend tried to pick him up and he was uncharacteristically aggressive and hissed and even snapped at him. Is there a reason behind this? I'm assuming he probably just needs some more time to get used to the tank, but I thought I would ask anyway since it was odd that he went from easy-to-handle to snappy. Thanks!

[acpart]

Mine hisses occasionally when he doesn't want to be bothered and when he's getting interested in the female. One thing to think about is what position he was in when you went to take him out. Mine tends to hiss if he's plastered himself along the inside of the hide and I have to push at him to get him out, so see if that's what happened. Otherwise you can also start by putting your hand in and talking to him. In general AFT's are pretty reclusive and like to hide. He also may be feeling comfortable enough to show how he's feeling.

Aliza

[Sgvreptiles]

Its a wild animal. Just acting naturally.

[HepCatMoe]

sometimes they hiss if they are startled. try again in an hour and im sure it will be fine.

[Lecko my Gecko]

it happens, wild caught males sometimes get nasty during breeding season, and sometimes you just get that one LOL that is just either nasty or frightened. good luck

[cindy]

It's quite a normal reaction, especially when your AFT is a youngster. Hissing just lets you know; 'watch out, I'm big, bad and dangerous!' It's their way of defense when they are cornered or spooked.
Try not to approach him/here from above. Just let your hand rest in his or here tank, and it will probably be a lot calmer
Kind regards,

Cindy

[lemonjello]

It's fine. They can just get in bad moods some times, nothing to worry about.

[porkypine]

Oh man, breeding season comes around, my male goes a little nuts! Sounds like a snake!