Am I Misinterpreting...?

[Haligren]

Do your leos seem to enjoy being petted? Tiamat seems indfferent although she doesn't seem to mind me rubbing her back, but Mandarin seems to love a good petting. lol She'll even let me rub the top of her head. When I rub her back she lifts it a little and closes her eyes. She also doesn't seem to mind me rubbing her belly. I should get a pic of that sometime as it reminds me of a dog. lol

What makes me wonder if I'm misreading them is because one time I sprayed Tiamat with water when I first got her and she lifted her back and tail up like a cat. At first I thought she was enjoying it but then someone on these forums told me it was a sign of discomfort. So I guess what I'm asking is; how do I know if my leo likes being petted? lol

I know that they aren't capable of affection even though I like to pretend they're being affectionate when they curl up next to my neck for warmth. lol Either way it's really cute!

 

[GeckoTrouble]

Faraz loves to be petted. His fav is a good tummy rub!

Kalila and Yasser both hate touching (Yasser will eat any fingers that get too close)

Samir likes head and back rubs, but is not much for handling

 

[corvettefan]

My geckos are iffy. I can't pet them right away, you have to wait for them to settle down. They'd rather explore than sit on your hand to be petted.

 

[Adinar]

On occasion Loki like a good back or head scratch. But none of my guys like tummy rubs.

 

[cat_named_noodles]

Athena and Neko both seem to enjoy being petted. They arch up into my fingers and Neko sticks her tail up like a kitty.

 

[Krow]

Kirsa arches her back when I rub it, she likes to have her tail rubbed also

 

[snowgyre]

I think we're misreading the geckos here. Geckos aren't cats. Most of the time my geckos will arch their backs when I stroke them not because they enjoy it, but because it's an initial, knee-jerk reaction that's along the line of "OMG get awwwf!". They settle down after a while and will stop arching their backs if you do it long enough, but I sincerely doubt the geckos are showing any kind of affection for the touch.

 

[katemonsterxo]

I know that they aren't capable of affection even though I like to pretend they're being affectionate when they curl up next to my neck for warmth. lol Either way it's really cute!

i ignore the fact that people say they are incapable of affection haha i know rexy loves me when i talk to him and he looks up and tries to climb on my hand all the time. HE LOVES ME AND I KNOW IT! :main_thumbsup:

ps. you just have to get them used to you petting them... they seem like they don't like it at first but they get used to it after a while (they'll even let you kiss them!!) haha i love geckos

 

[gothra]

I believe if they arch their back and stick up the tail, that means they're not enjoying it. Most of my geckos don't mind me rubbing the sides of their body though (near the underarm area). There are times when I rub Marly's fat pocket, he fell asleep! lol

 

[chachasushi]

I've got one male that will tip his head up when I rub him. It's just an automatic response, but it sure is cute!

 

[Haligren]

I believe if they arch their back and stick up the tail, that means they're not enjoying it. Most of my geckos don't mind me rubbing the sides of their body though (near the underarm area). There are times when I rub Marly's fat pocket, he fell asleep! lol

Well that's just it; my geckos may arch their back a little but they don't raise their tails. Mandarin closes her eyes.

 

[VampyricAngelX]

I know he doesn't care but my Dante always seems happy to see me. He'll pace back in forth in his tank when I stand near it (even when he's not hungry) and rush to my hand when I put it in. He lets me rub his back, neck and underside without complaints. The only time he really complains at me is when I lift him up to move him when he wants to explore. He doesn't love me like my cat does, but he's a mama's boy to me anyway.

 

[katemonsterxo]

I know he doesn't care but my Dante always seems happy to see me. He'll pace back in forth in his tank when I stand near it (even when he's not hungry) and rush to my hand when I put it in. He lets me rub his back, neck and underside without complaints. The only time he really complains at me is when I lift him up to move him when he wants to explore. He doesn't love me like my cat does, but he's a mama's boy to me anyway.

100% agree.

 

[Haligren]

I know he doesn't care but my Dante always seems happy to see me. He'll pace back in forth in his tank when I stand near it (even when he's not hungry) and rush to my hand when I put it in. He lets me rub his back, neck and underside without complaints. The only time he really complains at me is when I lift him up to move him when he wants to explore. He doesn't love me like my cat does, but he's a mama's boy to me anyway.

lol Must be something in the tang gene. I've noticed other people on here who have tangs say that they have really good personalities. I'm probably just generalizing though.

 

[gothra]

lol Must be something in the tang gene. I've noticed other people on here who have tangs say that they have really good personalities. I'm probably just generalizing though.

No actually, I found my geckos that have spots seem more "human" than the albinos...My high yellows and tangs will act like they REALLY wanted to be held; whereas I feel my albinos just want food or warmth.

 

[kathleen]

I see nothing wrong with assuming affection I mean after all do we really know for sure?
A while ago there was a story on CNN about a tuttle in Cali,I believe that had been going
to a beach with another turttle for years and the beach regulars knew the two turttles.
One day the beach regulars found one of the two beaten to death on the beach and buried it. The other turttle returned to the burial site appearing to mourn. I like to think
my Ping, who is my favorite is at a minimum fond of me he responds very differently than
the other three geckos nuzzling and asking to come out when I get home from work.
I would suggest that those who seem to find affection in their animals take better care of them as a result.

 

[BuryinDespair]

I've got a leo that will perk up when I call it's name (probably a reaction to the initial sound moreso than the syllables), and subsequently let me pet him. He's my largest, most ferocious, and apparently most friendly. I think some might enjoy affection. But not very many.

 

[ajveachster]

I'm not saying it is an affection thing, but I have to think some of them like getting a petting. Several of ours will come up to the front to get a head rub. I would think if they didn't like it they would shy away after a few times, but they seem to come to the front for it. I'm sure part of it is just a nervous system reaction Head raising etc...), but it is like any conditioned response. If the consequence of the action is something bad, do you really think they would keep letting me do it?

 

[Krow]

I see nothing wrong with assuming affection I mean after all do we really know for sure?

I would suggest that those who seem to find affection in their animals take better care of them as a result.

+1!! Much agreed!!

 

[daleo]

none of my leos like to be messed with. my adult SHTCT has a great persinalty, everytime i make a raket she has to come over and see what im doing! lol plus you should see her when its feeding time! lolol but i have none that seem to like being held, much less being petted. my german shepard loves being petted but not my leos....

dale