Leopard Gecko Body Language

[solomonslayer]

Tonight I was sitting on my couch with my leo and spending some time with him. I was watching SNL re-runs and he was hiding in the folds of my blanket. I pulled back the blanket so I could see him and he was resting flat on his stomach. I started to rub his back and he slowly raised himself high up on all fours and arched his back upwards. I'm not sure what this means though. Is it like with dogs when you scratch behind their ears and push harder against your hand because they like it or what? If anyone knows anything about what this might mean I would appreciate it if you shared!

 

[cook75]

Arched back usually means he is frightened or uneasy.

 

[artes]

I've actually noticed the opposite. Mine arch their back when they like the back scratches - especially if they had an itchy spot and I hit it for them. My geckos just leave when they're scared/uneasy/irritated.

 

[grboxa]

I've actually noticed the opposite. Mine arch their back when they like the back scratches - especially if they had an itchy spot and I hit it for them. My geckos just leave when they're scared/uneasy/irritated.

agreed, I experience the opposite aswell. Mine do that when I am about to handle them. before picking them up I usually just run my thump up and down there back gently and the last stroke when I pull my thump away is when he gets up like you mentioned slowly but I think that has to do with them simply just getting up promptly right after laying for a long period..they straighten up after a couple seconds.

 

[liamandnorma]

That's interesting. Norma doesn't seem to particularly like being touched on the back at all, most of the time she will flinch. I might try and gently experiment with different approaches and see if there are other things she likes. Most of the time she just wants to do her own thing, wander about on hands or jumpers or beds and explore.

 

[artes]

Try very lightly scratching the top of her head. About half of mine love that.

 

[Jusselin]

I've actually noticed the opposite. Mine arch their back when they like the back scratches - especially if they had an itchy spot and I hit it for them. My geckos just leave when they're scared/uneasy/irritated.

same here, my leo loves when i stroke her back....

 

[cook75]

That's interesting. Norma doesn't seem to particularly like being touched on the back at all, most of the time she will flinch. I might try and gently experiment with different approaches and see if there are other things she likes. Most of the time she just wants to do her own thing, wander about on hands or jumpers or beds and explore.

An example would be a cat. Triggered by fear, a rush of adrenaline causes the cat's back to arch. You can look up reptile behavior and positioning and you will learn in detail.

http://www.californiaherps.com/behavior/lizardbehavior.html#LizardMovement

 

[RampantReptiles]

I think your gecko liked your scratching his back.

I have seen geckos arch their back for both reasons mentioned; fear or pleasure.

Some geckos like to be scratched a little bit, especially when shedding. Others dont like it at all and shy away from people touching them. They might warm up to the scratches over time or they might not. Geckos have different personalities, proof right there

I have seen geckos get high on all fours to look big when facing something they are afraid of (babies especially), when a female doesnt want any from a boy, and when a gecko is showing dominance over another.

Really depends on the situation and what other reactions they have. When a gecko is angry many times they will get "flat face" and/or puff their throat out.

 

[hotrodjunkie]

my Fritz seems to love his head rubbed- pushes up against my finger and closes his eyes, but flinches if I go too far down his back. doesn't arch up, but will scamper away. he's gotten used to being handled since I've had him, even seems to reach for me to pick him up when i'm in his tank doing something. I make a few clicking/popping noises he has gotten used to and perks up. I have startled him a few times and got the high tail wag, but never an arch