Meaning of tail swishing

[Geckonut]

I have heard some differing opinions as to what it means when a leo raises its tail and slowly swishes it from side to side. Happy, mad, threatening, sexual??
Opinions......

 

[Stitchex]

From what I've observed, they feel threatened when they do that. Whenever I make a too sudden move with one of my Leos, they'll stand as high as they can, and slowly wave their tail back and forth. Maybe it's either a warning, or a distracting technique(so the predator's attention is diverted to the tail)?

 

[Adinar]

From what I've observed, they feel threatened when they do that. Whenever I make a too sudden move with one of my Leos, they'll stand as high as they can, and slowly wave their tail back and forth. Maybe it's either a warning, or a distracting technique(so the predator's attention is diverted to the tail)?

I've seen them do it more when seeing their reflections rather than when they see the others in my care. Mine must just be paranoid. lol.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

they are just pissed or in a defensive posture...nothing to worry about till someone loses an eye

 

[chachasushi]

they are just pissed or in a defensive posture...nothing to worry about till someone loses an eye

LOL :main_laugh:

 

[Stomlin35]

When my geckos do it, they're usually pissed

 

[tangerineman]

tail waving

I've had many do it when curious, not only in a defensive posture...

i had a female see a male on my couch (he had not vibrated his tail), and she obviously figured out he was a male somehow, she went crazy, and put on quite a show..tail waving like mad, climbing at the glass, the funny thing is i never realized that they'd make some nice striped babies until that point..lol

i let them get to know each other for awhile, but separated them very quickly..

 

[KlausK]

One of my geckoes does that after pooping... But then again. She is just weird. Climps to the highest place in the enclosure and then poops out over the edge. :main_robin:

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Tail waving (not rattling) is usually a defensive threat.

 

[Sidviciouser]

I believe it's defensive. I think they swish their tail hoping that if something attacks them it will attack the tail and they can get the heck out of there.

It sure seems like it would work well with a bird attack.

Just a guess of course.