Geckoman13
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My crestie keeps wagging his tail like a cat every time I go to pick him up. What could be the causes of this?
Tail Wagger
- Thread starter Geckoman13
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jfitz
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i agree with gecko 888, tail wag for leos is a sign of dominance when two males meet eachother or when their hunting. For a that sounds pretty wierd because they usually only use their for balance and support when its climbing.
Maybe it's shaking its body and its tail is shacking as a result of it, because crestie's bodies do shake alot when you are about to pick them up...
Maybe it's shaking its body and its tail is shacking as a result of it, because crestie's bodies do shake alot when you are about to pick them up...
I have only witnessed this with newly acquired/flighty crested geckos. I presume that they do this by instinct as a defense mechanism. They see you as a predator and rather give up their tail. They look you in the eye and wiggle the end of their tail to coax you into grabbing it.
Geckoman13
New member
Why would it be agression tho... I've had him for a year and he's never done this before...
I'd be careful for a tail loss, if I saw movement in a tail like that and submissive looking eyes I'd stay away...unless you want a tailess crestie. Try making your hand less frightening with food or something.
Some of my adult cresties will eat the CGD right out of the palm of my hand.
Some of my adult cresties will eat the CGD right out of the palm of my hand.
Absolutely agree with sushigex.
I've had several geckos do that to me. I always put them back because I do not believe it has anything to do with aggression or submission in crested geckos (other gecko behavior is not the same as crested behavior since most crested geckos in the wild do not have tails to communicate with, so I seriously doubt they would use it as such a form of communication). I believe it's more of a defensive mechanism, he may see you as a predator and is attempting to get your attention on his tail so you grab onto his tail so he can flee.
When it waves it's tail I would put it away until it's calmed down, they try again. Hopefully the gecko will become less shy and more comfortable around you as he no longer perceives you as a threat. Has their been a change in his surroundings lately or anything new happened that could cause him to become more cautious?
I've had several geckos do that to me. I always put them back because I do not believe it has anything to do with aggression or submission in crested geckos (other gecko behavior is not the same as crested behavior since most crested geckos in the wild do not have tails to communicate with, so I seriously doubt they would use it as such a form of communication). I believe it's more of a defensive mechanism, he may see you as a predator and is attempting to get your attention on his tail so you grab onto his tail so he can flee.
When it waves it's tail I would put it away until it's calmed down, they try again. Hopefully the gecko will become less shy and more comfortable around you as he no longer perceives you as a threat. Has their been a change in his surroundings lately or anything new happened that could cause him to become more cautious?
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