Just a random thought about selection....

[Firefly08]

Hi all

I might get run out of the forum for this one, but has anyone tried breeding geckos for personality?

From my point of view as a keeper, colors are fun but bottom line they're pets so I like being able to handle them a little. Plus from a practical standpoint an un-handle-able gecko is a problem for vet/medication etc.

My recent gecko health problems made me think, what would I do if my blizzard got sick? I can pick her up but she freaks, the treatment might be worse than the disease.

I'm sure the personality issue with blizzards has come up before, my sister has one that actually attacks her hand when she does anything in the cage! Her 'Nano' still squeeks too.

What I was getting to is if I'm ever in the market for a new gecko I wouldn't even consider a blizzard based on personality. I'm surely not the only one, so I wonder if there's a whole other marketing angle there?

What does everyone think??

 

[malt_geckos]

I don't know if people have bred for personality.

I have a bunch of blizzards and every last one of them are sweet hearts. So, I think it all depends. If the animal is being handled everyday, it will be easier to handle. Also, I think it all depends on how you approach them and how you pick them up. If you go really quickly at the animal, it's instinct is to protect itself. If you present your hand in the cage, then let them get used to it. You should be fine.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Actually, I have experimented on breeding for disposition in my blizzards. I can't say if it helped or not, but most of mine are actually quite calm.

 

[Greyscale_Geckos]

My previous leo and his two female companions all had different personalities. Spock was the best one out of them all, he was so sweet, calm, and even would cling to my arms when I was working in his tank. One of his girlies was even sweeter then him, but the other one was very skittish. I would hold them every day, but the skittish one just never took to handling.

Even now, in the care of my friend, the skittish one hasn't improved. Sometimes personality is just created by the environment, other times it is just "stuck".

I think if someone tries to breed for personality, it brings up the whole nature vs. nurture debate. In the end, it's your own decision whether which one would apply for which leos.

 

[Firefly08]

That's cool, I guess the Nanno is just mmmm special. I have seen her in action, its pretty scary. The breeder my sister got her from is the one who told us that blizzards tend to be more ill tempered than other leos.

 

[Ccrashca069]

I have heard that about Blizzards but I have heard the same about PitBulls. I have seen and petted many pitbulls that were ill treated and not cared for and watched how they started mean and turn to sweethearts with the proper care and attension.

 

[fallen_angel]

Very good point, John. I liked Hannah's answer too, that was well said.

Oh, and I've also heard that about Patternless too. Ours were highly skiddish, but they've mostly gotten used to me being in and out of the cage now. Our male is the worst though, I don't know if he'll ever improve

 

[acpart]

I did wonder on another post quite awhile ago whether we're inadvertently breeding for any other things besides color, like temperament, temperature or feeder tolerance. It's an interesting question.

Aliza

 

[david13]

That would be intereswting..I have 1 BB that is suuuuuuper nice, and one that is SUUUUUUUPER mean. It would be really hard to get skin off him or give him medications because he freaks out if i touch him

 

[GeckoGathering]

Blizzards---mean or not too mean?

John and Hannah, very nicely put comments. A recent addition to my gathering has been a trio of Blazing Blizzards. They have only been here a couple of weeks, but all three are great on the "like my HJ human" . ........They are "ready to ride" my shoulder each time my hand is in their home places.
I think the human side of their temperament would be easier to work with
then trying to pair up for the occasional grumpy one.
...take care.HJ

 

[wings2fly]

I have not heard of anyone breeding for temperment. I do think some of it is to do with the care, but some of it I think is just their personality. I have several that were calm from the first day I got them, and others that I have had for a year and still have not calmed down.

Carin