Problems moving my geckos together? Need your expert advice!

[Arctic16]

So I've finally decided that my geckos are close enough in size and age to move together. Previously my mack snow was about 4 months younger than my normal and the size difference was too great. I have each of them in their own 10 gallon, and to test the move I've put them together into a spare 10 gallon with just paper towels on the ground to see how they'd get along before the big move, and I'm worried with their reactions.

Both of my geckos seem to get very nervous and freeze when they see the other gecko. They then writhe their tails similarly to what they do when hunting. After that they stay still and occassionally seem to freak out and run to one end of the tank. They seem to avoid each other and move slowly, seemingly oblivious to the other, but when they make any contact with the other gecko they freak out and run away.

They're both females and they're both the same size. The older one is a bit bigger, but it's only a 4 month difference and nothing huge. They both seem equally scared of the other. Should I be worried? Am I going to be able to move them in, or do I just have anti-social geckos? Should I just move them into a new home and let them adjust to each other? Any advice or opinions from all you great and knowledgable people would be greatly appreciated!

EDIT: For the record it's my younger and slighter smaller gecko who does most of the tail wagging upon putting them in together. While my older and slightly bigger one mostly ignores the other gecko, she tail wags a little as well. Again, they are 4 months apart the the size difference is basically negligible.

 

[astronut1885]

The displays you are seeing are waryness, basically a 'don't mess with me' response. Given time they should adjust. Just monitor them closely for signs of fighting or injury, as well as weight loss due to stress and anorexia. I've had some females that will go together with no issues, and then others who are so territorial you'd think that it was a pair of males battling.

 

[acpart]

Make sure there are more than 2 hides so they have some choices about where to go.

Aliza

 

[astronut1885]

Ah yeah, I forgot to add that, but you should definitely have a few hides on both ends of the temp range so that they can both go where they need to and still avoid each other. Eventually they should settle down though, right now all 6 of my adults are pig-piled inside my biggest hide despite about 7 other spots to hide in the tank. I'm guessing these little ones have been living alone up until now? Also, part of their reaction that you saw is because they got pulled out of their homes and stuck into a bare tank with another animal. They would be on the defensive no matter what. As long as they're both about the same size, have a good amount of weight on, and are overall healthy, then I'd give it a go. Remember that when they are moved into a common new tank, they'll probably go off food for a little while. Make sure whatever tank you put them into is a new environment for both, adding one into the other gecko's tank could lead to territorial issues.

 

[Arctic16]

Yes, they have been living alone until now, which is their entire lives. So would it be ok to move them in for now, as long as I'm monitoring them and making sure then don't fight? I just want to make sure this is relatively normal "wariness" behavior and not a clear indicator that they don't get a long.

 

[thestack510]

They'll establish a pecking order. It's natural. They'll get used to each other soon. Take the advice and add a couple hides. If the weaker one doesn't eat well you may want to separate them again.

 

[Arctic16]

Alright it seems like it was a somewhat natural response to their environment so it's safe to cautiously move them in together. I'll go ahead and get their new home and see how it goes.