Bonding Question?

[LeoGirl1999]

Okay, this is probably a really stupid question, but I was wondering if it's possible for a leo to have a really strong bond with its owner? I have read online on multiple sites, but the answers have come out at an even spread: some say no, and some say yes. I think it's possible for them to bond, but I'm not quite sure. Help?

THANKS!

Erin​

 

[LeopardShade]

Not really. Reptiles do not have the mental complexity and capacity to form bonds with their owners the way a dog, cat, or bird can do so. They cannot distinguish friend from foe. They cannot trust certain individuals. They just don't have the behavioral or learning capacity in their brains to figure things like that out. To varying degrees depending on the species, they can be manipulated, and some have the potential to gradually pick up certain patterns and associate one thing with another (e.g. the sound of a screen top opening = food delivery). I'm afraid it doesn't go much further than that. Their behavior is fueled by pure instinct, they have no capacity for the myriad of complex emotions that we are capable of feeling.

One of the great aspects about leopard geckos is that they generally express natural docility, which makes them predisposed towards better pet-type interactions with people. Some geckos tolerate human interaction much better than others, some are reclusive and skittish. You may develop a strong bond with your gecko. It is really not possible, however, for the gecko to develop a strong "bond" to you. They just don't have the capacity in their minds to do so.

 

[LeoGirl1999]

Okie dokey! Thanks!

 

[Jordycakes]

Tbh, leopardshade is right BUT i like to think he's not, so if you think its like's you then think like that, i do and love mine loads haha

 

[mygeckonamedyayo]

opinions opinions - just another opinion - i say it is possible to bond w your leopard gecko vice-versa it recognizes its owner scent.

 

[ImNotYogi]

New to reptiles but I'd think they can distinguish scents at least. Associate its primary caregiver with food and no harm but maybe skittish around someone new. Probably how deep their attachment to you goes.

 

[GodzillaGecko]

I think they can. To a point..Monitor lizards and crocs/gators have proven they can form a bond with humans to a degree. There is one guy down in the south who saved a full grown croc and the damn thing ended up being more like a pet dog. They even swim and roll in the water together.

Monitor lizards are pretty intelligent and can discern friend and foe though they can be real pri*ks at times.

So why not a leo? Their pretty smart, they figure things out so why not?! lol

 

[J&K's Lemy]

I got one that comes when called
her name is Lemy
I think they know there owner by smell, and the way you handle them
most of my geckos seem to perfer adults over kids
the kids "overhold" them were let them body walk almost all that they wanna

 

[Taesolieroy]

Little Dani, my patternless, (not so little anymore like my av of her is), goes crazy when she sees me and will claw the corner of the tank closest to me incessantly until I take her out, and she'll ride around my shoulder watching everything I do and where I go.

You'd think with the way she lets it be known she wants out like she's trying to flee from something, but she'll also chase a laser pointer around her tank. The older girls also come out and interact when I'm nearby.

I think that it's possible for a leopard gecko to develop a non-food based relationship with their owners, but probably not in the way of bonding like one would expect of a cat, dog, sugar glider, or social birds, but it's something. Sure you can't readily pet or snuggle them like your fuzzy pets, but they do acknowledge that you're not there to hurt them.
I'd love to have a green tree monitor at some point because seriously, having a large scaley following you around the house like a wierd puppy is just an absolutely cool concept, and I've had plenty of success socializing both sugar glider and leopard geckos past the typical expected socialness capabilities - so why not try a larger lizard that'll likely use you as its dinner table for dubias?

The worst damage lately I've gotten from my ladies is a tail whack, so they are able to understand that biting is unnecessary to get their point across on what they like/don't like, and that points to an ability to form a social relationship with these animals.

 

[lora01fl]

We have a couple that some would swear were bonded to either myself or my son. Each of them will come to the front of the rack and "beg" to be out when they hear or smell one of us. One we hatched and talk(ed) to every single day when cleaning or feeding. She will lunge up my arm to be out and with me. Another is a RAPTOR purchased from Dusty at Creative Geckos. She came out of the shipping box looking for attention.

Some just seem to be more human friendly than others.