help? leo makes weird movements after eating

[Briannn]

I've had my leo for a few months now and for the past week or so I keep noticing him doing this after eating and he does it quite often now too. It almost looks like hes trying to push the food down or something but it looks unhealthy and i cringe everytime he does it. I have a video of it on my phone but i'm having trouble trying to upload it or send it or anything, i guess it's too big but i will try to explain. after eating, my gecko will move his neck to the side and back and do it a few times. he almost like tucks his head back so that his neck is shorter and looks to the side and brings his head toward the side of his body and then outward again. if anyone has any idea what i'm talking about, please respond.

 

[mudskipper]

My leos do this, too. Just like how snakes swallow.

 

[EthanC]

yes mine does this as well, i just see it as hes pushing everything down but im not sure exactly what they do it for, but im pretty sure its normal

 

[geckoguru929]

I've had my leo for a few months now and for the past week or so I keep noticing him doing this after eating and he does it quite often now too. It almost looks like hes trying to push the food down or something but it looks unhealthy and i cringe everytime he does it. I have a video of it on my phone but i'm having trouble trying to upload it or send it or anything, i guess it's too big but i will try to explain. after eating, my gecko will move his neck to the side and back and do it a few times. he almost like tucks his head back so that his neck is shorter and looks to the side and brings his head toward the side of his body and then outward again. if anyone has any idea what i'm talking about, please respond.

Try to make a video of him eating. Your gecko shouldn't moving side to side to swallow. Do you dust his food with calcium w/d3 and a vitamin supplement one a week?
Hope your not feeding insects that are too big.

 

[mudskipper]

Mine do this when they are full and from eating mealworms as well as crickets. The insects aren't too big. They do this after about 15 mealworms or 5 crickets. Then walk back to their hides.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Swallowing!

 

[Crewdog00]

100% Normal, mine does this as well, and so does my snakes. Either food is too big, or they are eating so much that they need time to clear the food before taking more. I'm lucky that my Leopard Gecko will eat out of her dish so she takes the next mealworm when she is ready for it.

 

[clouded_leopard]

My gecko does the same thing; it's normal.

 

[geckoguru929]

I've had my leo for a few months now and for the past week or so I keep noticing him doing this after eating and he does it quite often now too. It almost looks like hes trying to push the food down or something but it looks unhealthy and i cringe everytime he does it. I have a video of it on my phone but i'm having trouble trying to upload it or send it or anything, i guess it's too big but i will try to explain. after eating, my gecko will move his neck to the side and back and do it a few times. he almost like tucks his head back so that his neck is shorter and looks to the side and brings his head toward the side of his body and then outward again. if anyone has any idea what i'm talking about, please respond.

The way you are describing it does not sound normal. When my geckos eat they chew and swallow. You might see a slight movement in the throat, but they don't make all these neck twist. I just wanted to make sure that what you were describing was not dysphagia. I have seen this problem in reptiles in the past. There are many conditions it can be associated with. ex. dehydration, Pharyngeal inflammation, trauma, ect.

Unless you are exaggerating

 

[Crewdog00]

Let me add that after my Gecko eats she goes right back into her warm hide to help relax and digest all the new food in her stomach. Read only this is a common thing reptiles do to help aid in digestion and they shouldn't be handled for at least an hour after feeding.