Flickering tail.

[ReptilesForTheWin]

I know that geckos flick their tail around right before they STRIKE!

And they also wave their tail when they are being "defensive". But just never knew why they flick their tail before an ATTACK!

Is it because they are focussed on the food and if something was sneaking up behind them they would go for the tail? Just thought about this while feeding my Geks.

Thanks for any suggestions or comments. :main_thumbsup:

 

[STUTFL]

Cats do the rapid tail-twitch as well - don't know if it's a counterbalance thing with the long tail when they jump, or they just get really excited about pouncing on something. :laugh: Not all leos do it all the time, so it doesn't seem to be a "necessary" element of the hunt/attack sequence.

As for the defensive wave, that one would most likely be to draw predators to the boldly-colored, generously "eyespotted" tail (though it does have a rather intimidating element to it if you're small enough :laugh: ).

 

[Khrysty]

I always assumed they were so absorbed in hunting that they didnt have time to watch out for predators, so they wave their tail, but STUTFL is probably right lol

 

[ILoveGeckos14]

Its like moving one fist/arm in a circular motion and then hitting with the other hand haha like a distraction - "HEY Look at my tail!" *BAM caught*

 

[Samantha]

My fattail male will wave his tail a lot so much his hind legs move and sometimes the tip of his tail curls up really high then he strikes the crickets

 

[ReptilesForTheWin]

Need to hear about your guys gecko feeding habits. My dad said last night maybe the wave is to attract mates. Because only my females do the wave. My male has never done it. He does flicker it before he STRIKES!

 

[STUTFL]

Leos (male and female) will wave their tails when startled or frightened, and when facing a rival (e.g. their reflections in the glass :laugh: ).

My gecko "flickers" his tail when hunting crickets. He does not do this before eating worms of any kind. Less stalking required?

Do your females live together? If so, they may be a bit territorial? I couldn't speak with any authority on the reactions of female leos to potential mates.

 

[Rosalie Spot]

strange. My female doesnt flicker her tail really fast before she is about to eat, but when i had my male, he did. It was so fun to watch it was like TV