Do geckos recognize their reflection?

[samthebigkid]

Or do they just think it's another really clever gecko who can precisely copy their movements?

 

[thekooliest]

That is a good question. I don't have an answer though

 

[RepBex]

i have given my geckos mirrors before and they just move and seem so fascinated with it

 

[Brawler]

they do like mirrors, atleast mine have, not sure thou if they recognize themselfs or not, if anyone has a more aggresive gecko they could try is and see if it shows aggression towards it, if it does they they probably see it as another gecko.

 

[shadowx362]

I think they cannot because its not like they grew up looking at their reflection LOL MOST geckos have never even seen themselves. I also think geckos aren't smart enough to realize its coping them. So yes if a gecko sees itself in a mirror I would bet it would think its another gecko it sees.

 

[nats]

I just posted a comment on this very subject today on another thread.
I will just paste it here:

For alot of reptiles, reflections are a bad thing.
They can think there is another animal in there with them
and it can cause quite alot of stress.
This is why pro cages do not have reflective surfaces (or
they are greatly minimized).
I believe alot of the "unusual" behavior seen in single housed
leos is actually attributed to reflections.
They can feel "intimidated" or otherwise stressed by that gecko
they see in the glass.
I have one leo where it's a real problem, and I will have to cover
the walls on the inside. The other 2, not much of a problem.

As far as I know, primates and humans are the only animals that
are conscious of "self" enough to recognize their own refections.

 

[Riyo]

Nats is right, the only animals they have found to be able to recognize themselves in a mirror are: certain primates (humans included) and some corvids (crows, ravens, etc)

 

[Alusdra]

And certain marine mammals (like dolphins). Possibly others that I'm forgetting (parrots?), but those are the main ones. It is higly doubtful that a gecko has that level of cognitive ability.

 

[canadiangecko]

yeah it's kind of hard to believe

 

[Libby15]

I created the other thread. Mine has been staring at a brass ring on a temperature dial. I took it out and he seemed to wander the tank looking for it. Then he spotted it on the dresser next to the tank.

I think he's in love.