Hello and question about consistent chirping

[moonlitegram]

Hello everyone. I'm new to this forum but will probably be spending a decent amount of time here; i just recently purchased my first leopard gecko.

My gecko is probably still a hatchling - or could be in juvenile stage - not experienced enough to tell the difference yet. I just brought him home yesterday from the store and I've noticed he hasn't stopped chirping since.

The chirping isn't very loud - but its fairly consistent. I've read they often do this if they're injured/ill or unhappy/scared. I'm hoping he's just adjusting to his new environment but I wanted to ask if anyone else had experiences similar to this with their new geckos? (I did a search and didn't see anything addressing this specific issue in the threads about noises and chirping)

When transfering him into his tank I did drop him from a few feet off the ground but he seems fine. I haven't noticed any injuries and his behavior seems normal. His eyes also seem bright and clear and his tail looks healthy so I can't see any signs (that im aware of) of illness.

Has anyone else found that their geckos chirp until they adjust to their new home? Or does appear to be a sign of a serious problem? I don't mind searching out a lizard vet - I just don't want to over-react especially since I don't see any other warning signs.

 

[geckogirl3]

do you feed crickets.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Mine chirp randomly, some sound like they're almost croaking. It's just their voice, like a cat meows and a dog barks. Some geckos do it more than others. I had a male that croaked every time he was picked up. He wasn't resisting, just saying hi.

 

[moonlitegram]

do you feed crickets.

lol! no not yet - just meal worms

Yea, thats what I'm hopin orchidslave. I just started to get a little concerned when i woke up today and he was still consistently chirping. I added a new cave and a branch for him to climb on today. So we'll see when I get back from work whether he's still chirping.

I hope its just him being vocal/adjusting.

 

[moonlitegram]

Problem solved! sorta...

The noises aren't coming from my gecko. They're coming from the UTH! I have the tank raised so the pad is not squished between the table and tank. I think I need to return it - that's a bit concerning, although apparently a common problem with the zilla brand.

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Oh my! Yes do return it quickly before something worse happens!!! ZooMed makes a decent UTH. As far as geckos chirping, a couple of my adults wanted to come out to play, and were chirpy. I thought of you

 

[SamsonizeMe]

Problem solved! sorta...

The noises aren't coming from my gecko. They're coming from the UTH! I have the tank raised so the pad is not squished between the table and tank. I think I need to return it - that's a bit concerning, although apparently a common problem with the zilla brand.

Before I scrolled to this post I was going to suggest exactly this. It happened to me with a Zilla UTH too. I thought my little geckos were in distress. The UTH still works fine, and buzzes randomly when it "feels like it".

 

[fl_orchidslave]

I think this is a product defect and should not be accepted by the consumer.

 

[Destiny]

I agree! Fire hazard??? I didn't know the "croaking" was called chirping..... All of mine do that... Some more than others... My HUGE Snowbell male croaks in effort when he hauls his huge self up a log.... It cracks me UP that is called "chirping" he sounds like a really old tubby man getting out of his recliner... teeehehee.

Anyway Congrats on your new addition~ and I hope to see pictures?!

 

[MandyGurl]

i recently got a new gecko. it was from a girl who didnt want anymore and i was glad to add her to my collection. I now have 4 leos. My first 3 have never made a sound. This new girl though seems to scream when if I pick her up by the sides. Shes ok if I let her crawl on to me but she started to go up to my shoulder. I grabbed her gently by the sides and she screamed! It scared the crap outta me! I have tried gently to pick her up from the sides again and everytime she screams! I wonder if she was hurt or squeezed to hard before. Its scary.

 

[moonlitegram]

As far as geckos chirping, a couple of my adults wanted to come out to play, and were chirpy. I thought of you

haha, thanks. Friendly forum you guys got yourself here!

Before I scrolled to this post I was going to suggest exactly this. It happened to me with a Zilla UTH too. I thought my little geckos were in distress. The UTH still works fine, and buzzes randomly when it "feels like it".

What's weird is in one of my google searches about the heating pad buzzing I found a message board post about someone having the same problem with the zilla pad. They brought it back to the store and the guy at the store cut it open. Inside they found a cricket!!

Now it seems really odd to me that a cricket could survive trapped in a heating device for any length of time - and even odder that it would happen more than once. But now its got me wondering about my heater - especially since the sound is very akin to a cricket chirp

I've had it since last wednesday and it still chirps randomly. I think when I bring it back I'm going to ask them to cut it open just to see... if I find a cricket it there I'll be amazed!

I didn't know the "croaking" was called chirping..... All of mine do that... Some more than others... My HUGE Snowbell male croaks in effort when he hauls his huge self up a log.... It cracks me UP that is called "chirping" he sounds like a really old tubby man getting out of his recliner... teeehehee.

Anyway Congrats on your new addition~ and I hope to see pictures?!

Haha! The UTH sounds like a chirp - I suppose if I ever hear my gecko it'll sound more like a croak!

But yes pictures to follow shortly

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Thanks for all your feedback guys. It's nice to see this is an active and supportive community.