Odd leopard gecko behavior

[LetsMugSanta]

Okay so heres the deal. I have 4 leopard geckos. Each of them with someqhat different "personalities". From what i have read, it is my understanding that leopard geckos are purely inatinctive animals without feeling much for thought. Every now and then 3 of the fiur gevkos will try and climb the glass of the cage. The fourth one will do this every night ALOT and sometimes succeed by getting to the top of the cage 29 gallon aquarium. Thank god i have a screen. My main question is this. If they are mainly instinctive animals and all needs are met ie food, hides, and water and warmth, why do they exhibit this behavior.

I apologize for my grammar/spelling as i am using a phone to type this.

Also most people advise to limit handling but when this type of brhavior is shown. Should i hamdle them more

thanks for your time

 

[reps4life]

Okay so heres the deal. I have 4 leopard geckos. Each of them with someqhat different "personalities". From what i have read, it is my understanding that leopard geckos are purely inatinctive animals without feeling much for thought. Every now and then 3 of the fiur gevkos will try and climb the glass of the cage. The fourth one will do this every night ALOT and sometimes succeed by getting to the top of the cage 29 gallon aquarium. Thank god i have a screen. My main question is this. If they are mainly instinctive animals and all needs are met ie food, hides, and water and warmth, why do they exhibit this behavior.

I apologize for my grammar/spelling as i am using a phone to type this.

Also most people advise to limit handling but when this type of brhavior is shown. Should i hamdle them more

thanks for your time

It's usually a sign of stress.

What is the temperature in the tank at night?

Any lights?

Can he see another gecko from his enclosure?

 

[LetsMugSanta]

The temps are usually around 90-85 on the hot side and 80-85 on the cold. 5 degree difference between night and day. There is no type of background so she sees the whole room around her. She also displays another type of behavior that i havent seen in the others and she has always done his. Thr behavior is that she sometimes moves her tail in an interesting way. Almost as if she is happy or intrigued. When i first had her she moved her whole tqil vigoriusly. Almost as if excited or happy. She doesnt do this when hunting usually only when curious. And the whole tail moves

 

[reps4life]

Wiggling is a hunting behavior. Wagging is a defensive behavior. Either she can see another gecko or maybe her reflection in the glass. Her temp gradient needs a bit of adjustment. 75-80 cold side 90-95 on the warm side

 

[artes]

They also aren't purely instinct based. They have personalities. I have 10 leopard geckos, and each of them have noticeably different personalities from the other. Hector is a conceited little thing, Moira hisses whenever she disapproves of something (which can be as minor as a person walking by her tank depending on her mood), Junia likes to cuddle with people and other geckos and take naps in your lap, etc etc. I don't believe any animal is based purely on instinct. They may make a lot of decisions that root in instinct, but that doesn't mean they're based entirely on it.

 

[chrisherp]

My leopard gecko would do the same when it's too hot in the cage.

 

[jermh1]

I had a gecko in a 20 gal long that would do backflips at night trying to get to the lid, if she got the lid she would scurry around upside down for a while then fall back down, with a rather poor landing. There was a funny/creepy gecko in the next cage who would stand spread eagle against the glass and watch me do paper work.

 

[Desdemona]

One of my geckos will occasionally act like she wants out of the cage. She climbed the one side she could (it's a fish tank divider that is slightly strengthened) when I first put her in the "new" home but I have not seen her do it sense. I haven't let her out in a while (except today since I needed to clean) and the behavior has slowed down. Maybe your gecko would prefer some out time. If you have not taken her out you could always do so every day for a week and see if her behavior changes. You could use a plastic storage box with some hides in it. Nothing crazy. Just watch to see if she seems more stressed or not.

That would be funny to see Jeremy, your spying gecko.

 

[Dimidiata]

Rango is always trying to figure his way out of the tank. IMO he gets bored or wants to explore the tank next to him(my betta) once i rearrange a little he does fine and explores the new landscape.

 

[Desdemona]

hehe, I am sure that your betta would not be impressed to find a Leo swimming in his tank I wonder if geckos ever eat fish? Since it seems like they are not good swimmers (just from warning about water dish drowning) I suspect not. That and they'd have to be some pretty small fish.

 

[Dimidiata]

remember where they come from.

 

[Desdemona]

I am sure they don't find fish roaming around a desert... but I'm sure many have heard of invasive species. If they were in an environment with a shallow pool and quickly moving fish they might try to eat one. Though, given bones and such it would not do well for the Leo I am sure. They do seem to be focused more on movement than on what they are actually eating (with a few picky Leo exceptions).