Star Gazing

Debbie7054

New member
I prob sound like a total noob but I just wanted to know exactly what star gazing looks like. As far as I know Koopie is a normal type leopard gecko. She loves coming out every night but if I am doing stuff with our other geckos and she wants to come out and I'm not fast enough getting her she points her head up to the sky, closes her eyes and just freezes. Once I've lifted her out and tickled her under the chin she snaps out of it and just carries on as normal. It doesn't seem to happen any other time just when she's really keen to come out - its very weird. Could she have any enigma in her or do you think she's just doing it for attention?
 

Allee Toler

Member
Star gazing is done by engimas.

Quinn would look straight up at me, but not look at me per say, she'd almost stretch her head out as far as she could then fall over. Like she got dizzy from focusing so much. It's weird.
 

Debbie7054

New member
Maybe she has got some enigma in her then her spots have more of a pattern to them than Bowsers. It might explain some of her problems thank you :eek:)
 

s3cretz

New member
Star gazing is more when a gecko (something with Enigma genes) ****s his head and stares blankly (eyes open) "at the stars". Once you've seen it, you can't mistake it.
 

norea

New member
sometimes leos go into a state of trance... try this when he sorts of day dreams... touch his nose and he will get back to reality... hope this helps...
 

eliquidmatt

New member
Hiya Debbie, I know there have been a lot of helpful answers already but I just wanted to add my input, being an Enigma owner myself :)

Star (named after her star gazing habits lol) is around 7 months old now and doing well. She will usually Star gaze quite regularly, I often catch her staring up at the vivarium walls or ceiling, her eyes are wide, head tilted, completely fixed on something. Then, quite suddenly, she will snap out of it and return to roaming about her enclosure.

What you have described doesn't sound like Star gazing as you say her eyes are closed.. it almost sounds more like a stretch or even a sign of contentment :) I have seen my females arch their heads backwards, close their eyes and look up for short periods, usually just after basking or waking up. Without seeing her do this though, I can really pass accurate judgement.

Just out of interest, have you ever seen her spin (chase her tail) at all? And how is her hunting ability? Does she ever miss her prey?

I am conducting a personal study of Star's behaviour on a daily basis in order to further understand the Enigma Syndrome. Im lucky in that Star is only what I would class as a moderate case. It's a truely upsetting condition to witness sometimes, and despite my devotion.. I dare say had I known prior to purchasing I probably would have avoided her. At the same time though, I cant help wondering that had I not chose her that day, she would now be stuck with a spoiled child who doesn't know a thing about the proper husbandry of Leo's.. let alone the needs of an Enigma!

Do let us know if anymore odd behaviour is seen!
 

Debbie7054

New member
Koopie does have problems eating but I think thats more down to a problem in her mouth she doesn't circle or anything. She had been returned to the shop and has a damaged eye, no finger ends and some damage inside her mouth that makes it difficult for her to swallow. Eating takes a while but she gets there in the end.

I went to a show yesterday not planning on buying an enigma but a tiny one just kept catching my eye. Col can always tell when I really want something and even tho I had set out to get a really good male and the enigma was female and I'd said I wouldn't get one he tok me back one last time for a look. I thought she'd have gone but she was still there looking up at me with her little red eyes and I knew I had to have her. I'm really glad that I'm on this forum tho with people that have experience of enigma syndrome. She isn't showing any of the signs of it but I know it can develop later on. Star is very lucky to have you and even tho she's giving you problems I'm sure she's worth it. I dread to think what would have happened to her if someone that didn't know or care about her problems had got her.
 

eliquidmatt

New member
Aww.. well I wish you all the best with her and lets hope the syndrome doesnt develop!

It really does concern me, the amount of children I see in the reptile stores local to me with parents who just wonder off and let the kids run around shouting and screaming "MUMMY I WANT THAT ONE, I WANT THIS ONE" completely ignorant to the care these animals actually need.

I know Leo's are hailed as being the perfect reptile for begginers, and true enough they are a hardy species that requires low maintanance when compared to others. But I think the title of "good pet for begginers" actually causes more harm than good. A mother will take thier child in to the pet store and see the Leopard Gecko's, perhaps with a sign that says "Ideal first Reptile!" and instantly assume that it's husbandry requirements are nothing more complicated than that of a goldfish!

By the sounds of it, a classic example of this is the condition is which your Koopie was returned to the shop.. sounds like she is definately with the right person now though!
 

Debbie7054

New member
Aww.. well I wish you all the best with her and lets hope the syndrome doesnt develop!

It really does concern me, the amount of children I see in the reptile stores local to me with parents who just wonder off and let the kids run around shouting and screaming "MUMMY I WANT THAT ONE, I WANT THIS ONE" completely ignorant to the care these animals actually need.

I know Leo's are hailed as being the perfect reptile for begginers, and true enough they are a hardy species that requires low maintanance when compared to others. But I think the title of "good pet for begginers" actually causes more harm than good. A mother will take thier child in to the pet store and see the Leopard Gecko's, perhaps with a sign that says "Ideal first Reptile!" and instantly assume that it's husbandry requirements are nothing more complicated than that of a goldfish!

By the sounds of it, a classic example of this is the condition is which your Koopie was returned to the shop.. sounds like she is definately with the right person now though!

Yes I hate that too and we've spent loads on getting their set ups just right and getting bigger and bigger vivariums and it drives me mad when people buy them and try to do things on the cheap thinking that maybe they can do without this and that to save money. I know you don't have to spend a fortune but they need to have enough room and the right temperatures etc. A lot of people don't realise they are nocturnal either and their childrens poor geckos get stuck in a corner forgotten about. Someone I know had that happen and I'm so glad she had the sense to take it back to our local store and admit that they just couldn't look after it properly.

Koopie is so lovable she's my biggest softie and you certainly can't ignore her when she wants to come out for a chin tickle she really lets you know
 
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