Male / Female aggression?

[rcobourn]

I added a new female (probably about 4 years old) to my 1.2 leopard gecko colony on Tuesday. Everything seemed fine until feeding time last night when the male got very aggressive with the new female... biting at her, and then tail rattling. I know tail rattling is common in male/male aggression, but I've never seen it in male/female. I've re-examined the new "female" and remain convinced of her gender. Any opinions? Is this normal? I've separated the new female for the time being.

 

[nats]

Males and females do wave their tails at each other esp. when they first meet.

It sounds like you need to seperate them, then re-introduce some other time.

 

[rcobourn]

Thanks nats. I've seen waving before... never aggressive rattling. Just been lucky I guess.

 

[Kristi23]

Males will tail rattle and bite a female when trying to breed.

 

[rcobourn]

Males will tail rattle and bite a female when trying to breed.

Thank you too Kristi23. I typically expect to be asleep when that happens... not to see a breeding attempt during feeding time.. and again right when I re-introduce them. At least buy the girlie a drink first, eh? Especially as this is an older male who has shown little blatant interest in the other two females, although one of them does look to be gravid. Live and learn I guess.