Wagging tail?

[1Riotmaker7]

One of my new leopard geckos wags her tail when I put my hand in her enclosure. She's obviously scared of me right now and alittle upset about the move but what exactly does that mean? Tillmin didnt even do that to me when I first got him.

 

[NINJAOFTERROR]

I am not an expert but i believe it to be an aggression display. My geckos shake their tails right before they strike their crickets.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

I have some that do that to let me know when they don't want to be disturbed

 

[Daidra]

if they are shaking theri tail fast then that would mean that they are striking for a prey item or with a male that is in with a female then that would be a matind display and if she is shaking it slow like a cat then she is displaying that she is scared and you just need to work with her so that she gets used to you,Good Luck

 

[Fishguy2727]

Shaking the tail is a distraction. Most predators are attracted to movement, so if they move their tail the predator is much more likely to go for it than their head. They do this whenever their is a risk of predation. When they are scared they know their is a risk. However, when hunting or mating they are distracted with other activities and NOT in paying attention to any possible predators. Because of this they automatically wiggle their tail when they are focussed on something besides being alert. When focussed on hunting they can't be on the defense for predators, so they wiggle their tail just in case their is a predator watching. Same goes for mating behaviors.

 

[Spots]

I know this was said but yea, when they shake the tip of the tail quickly, almost like a twitching...it's when they are about to attack their food.

Mine will wag her tail slowly back and forth and get really low to the ground when she's mad at me or doesn't want to be touched. After this, she usually darts/run really fast around the tank...it's kinda weird...lol But during this time, if I make any movements, she gets really jumpy and trys to dart at me, or away from me.

 

[snakegirl]

the tail wag means "FEAR ME AND MY EVIL TAIL WAG!" Really i think leopard geckos need a new scare move. but ahh well. I really don't mind it. just no fast moves around a gecko that scared they normal come out of it. and walk on or over your scary hand! good luck

 

[corvettefan]

My leopard gecko used to do that before he took a strike at his prey. That's where his name Shakers comes from.