Female Tail Rattling

[catvettech]

Background: Adopted 2 year old female Kobe in 9/08. Adopted 5 year old female Hannah in 11/08. Have not put the two together in the same tank as yet because I still have to give more dewormer to Hannah and get a negative fecal.

I have introduced both of them out of their respective tanks 3 times now. Hannah has always rattled her tail at Kobe. It is amazing how fast that tail goes and the noise that it makes. Well, had both of them on my shoulders and then the tail rattling noise started. It scared the hell out of me since it was so close to my ears. I got up from the chair (it fell over) while grabbing each of them off my shoulders. Replaced them back into their own set ups.

I am not too sure that Hannah wants a sister. However, I was hoping to condense which is why I choose another female.

 

[Mel&Keith]

Some geckos just like to live alone!

 

[Ga_herps]

I would have to agree. I have a female that is a definite loner. She tears other females apart, and if she isn't in a full ovulation the males better look out.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Introducing Geckos

Background: Adopted 2 year old female Kobe in 9/08. Adopted 5 year old female Hannah in 11/08. Have not put the two together in the same tank as yet because I still have to give more dewormer to Hannah and get a negative fecal.

I have introduced both of them out of their respective tanks 3 times now. Hannah has always rattled her tail at Kobe. It is amazing how fast that tail goes and the noise that it makes. Well, had both of them on my shoulders and then the tail rattling noise started. It scared the hell out of me since it was so close to my ears. I got up from the chair (it fell over) while grabbing each of them off my shoulders. Replaced them back into their own set ups.

I am not too sure that Hannah wants a sister. However, I was hoping to condense which is why I choose another female.

Another Way to introduce
I agree not all geckos want another around them but
I have seen a tail rattle and then tasting happen because
the other has not shown aggressiveness.
Sometimes the way you introduce them affects that.
Make sure your hands have been washed off of any other scents.
I know you are holding off due to the worming and now
you may be a little shaken at the thought. :
I'm assuming sizes are close and each are females.
When or if you think you want to give it another try.....
Leave Kobe in her home as it is........put the more aggressive
acting one in Kobe's home.
Make sure you can have time to sit and observe until you know
they tolerate each other. and:
(have a water spray bottle near by as it will stop any fight started )
************"No warranty supplied with this advice product"
Take care. HJ

 

[catvettech]

OK, will try that HJ. Thx.

 

[bitterbeauty]

This may be a stupid comment but maybe Hannah is a boy because they only experience I have with this vibrating tail thing you speak of is with my male (when a female is near).

Females only tend to wag their tail slowly when they are faced with an "intruder" to their territory. Just a thought...maybe double check the sex of Hannah.

 

[thestack510]

That's what I was thinking too. Are you sure they're both female? Tail rattling and tail waving serve different purposes.

 

[GeckoFreak77]

Yes i would double check on the sexes

 

[catvettech]

First thing I did was to double check. Female. I put Hannah in Kobe's house and she did do some tail rattling and then tasting of Kobe. Kobe does not seem to be aggressive. Will continue this method of introduction.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Introducing Geckos

First thing I did was to double check. Female. I put Hannah in Kobe's house and she did do some tail rattling and then tasting of Kobe. Kobe does not seem to be aggressive. Will continue this method of introduction.

Sounds Good.
IMO you can do the same thing again when ready,
leaving them together, with you nearby observing.(with spray bottle)
If the humid hide is not big enough to accommodate
both, establish it for Kobe a few days first, before introducing Hannah.
Take care.... Hj

 

[catvettech]

Spoke too soon. Put them together again and there was aggressive from Kobe too. Water bottle spray broke it up even before it really started. I will continue this though.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Introducing Geckos

Spoke too soon. Put them together again and there was aggressive from Kobe too. Water bottle spray broke it up even before it really started. I will continue this though.

First off on Kobe's change
from the first time.
Feeding schedules can affect actions.
Before attempting introduction...both should have eaten.
If there is a next time and it results
in both getting at it with each other again....
and you feel it necessary to use the spray.
See how they act after the spray,
give them a little time before separating them to see if it is friendlier.
I've never done it, but I do feel some can be taught to get along.
(spray used as a reminder)
Although it is a bit stressful,
so don't HOSE them down.
These little critters are quick to pick up things.
Unlike the males locking up (now that's really bad)
most of the females end quickly because one is
most dominant......the other gives in..........
but as any case of sharing a tank its up to you to
see that Each gets her share of food. The bigger
problem with housing together is weigh loss by one......
.take care. Hj

 

[theclean1]

Maybe she is emo?

 

[catvettech]

Hannah smells Kobe & Kobe throws the first bite. Cats eventually works things out - don't know about leos.

 

[GeckoGathering]

The Feeling Out Process

Hannah smells Kobe & Kobe throws the first bite. Cats eventually works things out - don't know about leos.

So, What happened Next?
A two way fight. A one way fight? No fight?
Hannah ran off?......................................or
You separated them right away at that point?(most would do this)
But it doesn't always answer the question............and again:
The easy way is to separate them. ( most would do this)....
...NOT ME: And it sounds as if you really want to see if it can work out too.
Take care. HJ

 

[catvettech]

Well.....I did separate them right away. I don't want to deal with injuries. Should I bring Kobe to Hannah's tank too or just keep bringing Hannah to Kobe's tank? The tank I would like to keep both girls in is Kobe's tank.

 

[Baoh]

Can you use a divider with holes so they can get accustomed to each other's scent? Perhaps a clear one so that they can see each other well, too, and help get used to the "foreign" presence.

 

[GeckoGathering]

To Share or Not to Share?

Well.....I did separate them right away. I don't want to deal with injuries. Should I bring Kobe to Hannah's tank too or just keep bringing Hannah to Kobe's tank? The tank I would like to keep both girls in is Kobe's tank.

Can you use a divider with holes so they can get accustomed to each other's scent? Perhaps a clear one so that they can see each other well, too, and help get used to the "foreign" presence.

Above is a very good suggestion if you can work it out. It would also keep the "Stress" off of YOU.
...........Nor do I want you to have to deal with injuries.
Geckos are not as Fragile as many think.
They can drop a tail, but not as easy as many think.
A fall can be taken, an escapee can be found after quite some
time without harm. They were meant to live in the wild, to handle fusses, searches for food, telling off a male when they are not ready to breed, etc.
The biggest change is in the amount of space that we put them in..
and of course some uncaring owners or pet shops that mistreat them......................
The larger 20 gal. long and IMO Hannah to Kobe's home was the right
introduction direction but that was at the time when Hannah
showed aggressiveness. Now who can be sure which is.
But that would still be MY WAY and maybe not for you.
My way is not with out stress but not as much as you are going through.... since I have seen fusses settled, rough matting, locked up males fighting,
and a few other gecko situations that are stressful to all
caring gecko lovers. All of which ended without injury..................
I still find that in all my sharing of housing the most concern
seems to be with establishing an equal eating practice.
But hey, I wish no blame for other's decisions. It's YOUR call.
The safe way is to enjoy them separated as you have heard a number of times and supported by me as the safest. But I truly enjoy seeing them
have a friend......... Good luck with your decision.
.Take care........HJ

 

[BettaDragon]

I did similar things to keep two of my geckos together. Things worked out for about a year with no fights and then there was a huge fight while I was sleeping. One of my geckos had a huge deep bite wound on her leg that scared the crap out of me and for a while I thought her leg might need to be amputated. I keep all mine single now.

 

[bubblez825]

Can you use a divider with holes so they can get accustomed to each other's scent? Perhaps a clear one so that they can see each other well, too, and help get used to the "foreign" presence.

I agree to this. This seems to be a same way for you to have some peace but know that your geckos are safely getting accustomed to each other