Is This Strange???

[matt s]

Ok my awesome colored male patternless (not to brag) is a bright green/yellow but lately he sits at the corner of the tank and stares at me and his colors get very dull almost a dark brown. As soon a I pick him up his color goes back to normal/beautiful! Why is he doing this? Also when I pick him up and stoke him down his spine he raises his back high does this mean he likes it? To me it shows that he likes it but I dont know.
Thanks

 

[yoda47]

When I stroke my gecko she seems to do the same thing but I think it means she doesn't like it because she's tensing up her body. Normally if i keep petting her she will try and run out of my hands.

 

[moosassah]

If he's going from one color to the other just by you holding him, I'd guess it's your tank temps are too low. Do you have a heat gun? Check out the temps all around the floor of your tank to make sure you've got enough heat.

I'm pretty sure they don't really like being stroked like a cat. I do have 1 that appears to like it though.

 

[Jenna4Herps]

Most reptiles get on the defense when their backs are touched due to their natural instincts of danger. In the wild, they are mainly attacked or picked up by their backs from predators (i.e. a bird). However, I also believe that in time, some pet reptiles get to know their owners and will drop this fear because they learn to trust and know their keepers. It all depends on individual personality. Some pet reptiles are always on the defense and others are more trusting. I know my chameleons definitely don't like to be touched on their backs. But, chameleons on average don't like much handling. Leo's are more easy going about being handled.

If your gecko tenses up and eventually tries to get away when stroking their back, I'd take that as a message. More than likely he/she doesn't care for their back being stroked. It's your gecko's way of communicating with you.