Are geckos like dogs and cats in a way that...

[LeopardShade]

Asking a quick question. Today I was handling one of my geckos, who is usually quite tame and calm in my hand. I placed her on my dad's hand, she stayed still for about ten seconds, then completely jumped off. He didn't move his hand or anything that would possibly provoke a startled reaction, she just jumped. She has never done this with me.

Because of this, does anyone think that geckos somehow get attached to their owner's smell, etc. similar to a dog or a cat would? To the point where any outsider is strange and unfamiliar to them?
I know that we, as humans, will always be viewed as a potential predator to any gecko, but do you think they get this way at all?

 

[ProGeckoServices]

They recognize and get accustomed to their owners hand much the same way they often turn their heads at food that smells different than what they are used too. Wash your hands with a different or strong odor soap and they will do the same thing to you as they did to your dad.

 

[PaladinGirl]

It is my opinion that they do become familiar with whoever handles them the most. My leo seems to identify me by smell and voice. When I talk to her, she gets all excited and tries to climb the wall of her tank to get to me. When I put my hand in there, she runs up my arm and sits calmly with me for awhile. She will even ignore food to be held. And she's very hesitant to get on my husband's or daughter's hand. Whether you call this an attachment or not, I don't know. I like to think yes, but there are some who would tell you we're anthropomorphizing our lizards, which are mindless creatures with no personality or ability to bond.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

The bringer of food is any animal's best friend They become familiar and comfortable with the one(s) who care for them.

But some people have a sense about them that attracts animals. For instance, when my daughter was a child, she would sit in the yard and sing. Birds and squirrels came closer to her, sometimes walk right up to her. Now she has a tortoise that moved itself into her back yard a few years ago. It eats from her compost bin and sometimes comes out of it's hole to visit with her.

 

[ajveachster]

But some people have a sense about them that attracts animals.

My mom is one of those people. Animals that are mean to other people seem love her.

For leos my opinion is that it is more familiarity than anything. Simple conditioning responses more than cognitive thinking and emotion, but it is nice to think the animal "likes" me.