Handling geckos

[SamsonizeMe]

I disagree - I don't think geckos necessarily know their names, but I have tested this many times, in many different ways, and its always the same ending. My bearded dragon Travis 1000% knows his name. Whether there's food, hugs, pets, or nothing involved. You can say his name from the other side of the room, glance over, and he's looked up.

If a bearded dragon can learn its name, surely an iguana, who has a larger brain, can.

Well, I think you may be confusing his response to the sound you make, with him actually understanding that his name is Travis. Most animals are very sensitive to sounds and intonations, pitch and frequencies, etc. Easy test (though not fool-proof): Have someone else call him by name with a menacing, angry voice. If he responds differently (or doesn't respond), then it's a fair assumption he is responding to your particular method and voice.

Edit: Or, talk to him the same way you usually do, but call him Roger or Dave or something. You'll probably get the same reaction as usual.

 

[artes]

My husband can call him by name and Travis will look too. He won't look for other names, as I've tested that too. I had to quit singing "Rock A Bye Travis" to him because he would start to doze off, then wake up when I said Travis (he has a hard time sleeping sometimes, so I sing for him... what, normal people do that).

 

[GeckoNovice26]

I can't honestly say all reptiles love to be handled. However my little Leo, she is pretty tame. She climbs up on me, inspects things, and when I run a finger down along her back, she arches up(Not her tail, just up on her legs) almost like a cat would when you run a hand along their back. Different species, and I can't be sure if it's just her way of letting me know she doesn't like it..but she doesn't try and run from it. She doesn't flee, doesn't look for escape. Then again I only handle her when cleaning her tank, or administering medicine.

 

[SamsonizeMe]

My two males (Titan and Helo) and one of my females (Pumpkin) each come to the front of their tanks/tubs and "Swim the Glass" as a friend puts it - to show me that they are ready to come out. Titan and Helo do this EVERY NIGHT like clockwork - the sun goes down, they are ready to come out. This is not a "male behavior" either... two of my previous males never did it.

I believe that SOME of our geckos have developed an affinity for interaction and exploration. They do not "love" it in the way that we anthropomorphise onto them, but in my instance, Titan , Helo and Pumpkin do not show any sign of stress in the way that another girl, Honeybell - does. She is my shyest gecko and acts completely different from these other three - just sits in one place, hunkering down or running for the closest hiding spot. Her breathing rate is increased and shallow if she senses any "danger" or movement. Titan, Helo and Pumpkin just wander around, taking everything in.

Every animal is different. Behavioral variances occur within every given population. Sometimes a "wanderlust" turns out to be an advantage - new/more mates, more food - sometimes not: getting eaten by a predator. The same is oppositely true for being shy and cautious. To a large extent and with their small brains, our geckos' "personalities" are essentially hard-wired, with perhaps a little room for change. They are definitely not as moldable or emotionally capable as any given mammal or bird.

 

[katie_]

I have a gecko who growls and bites everytime I have to move her. Shes pathetic.