What do they think of us?

[Lena]

I'm sitting here, playing with Chico, my crested gecko.. Just wondering.. What's going through that little head of his?

I don't think he can handle a complex concept like friendship, but obviously he knows that I'm where the food comes from (I often hand feed him) and that I'm not trying to eat him.

What does he think I'm doing when I stroke his head? He knows it's not a bad thing.. But affection is something else I'm pretty sure he doesn't understand. How often do you see wild lizards cuddling?

Maybe to him I'm just a moving tree that occasionally puts food in front of his face.. Hahaha. :main_laugh: He's always trying to hide in my hair.

What do you guys think your reptiles think of you?

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

That's a great question, to which I have no answer. Who knows what's going through those little gecko heads? :main_rolleyes:

 

[Gregg M]

Lena,
You seem to have a good grasp on the fact that reptiles do not need attention from humans other than to feed them, clean them, and keep them healthy while in a captive setting...

What going on in the mind of your gecko when you hold it??? Not much actually... They react to stimuli instictively without thought... Instincts like to flee when a larger animal is near can be over ridden by conditioning but not fully taken away... It is not hard to get even the "tamest" of reptiles to go into flight mode...

 

[Wreptile]

One of my collard lizards likes to crawl up behind my ear and sleep with I am laying down.
I think it is the most adorable thing when she does that.

 

[Bodon]

Im not sure what they see us as, but one thing i really believe is that they think we are more than a giant heat source. I know many people say thats all they want from us, is the heat and thats why they want to climb on us and what not but ya know i just dont buy that. There is more to it than that. They clearly know other geckos so who is to say they dont see us as some form of gecko? I think they know we are living beings and not just nice places to lie.

 

[Lady_Kiya]

I think Ares thinks I am the giver of food, and a jungle gym he walks on all the time. XD

I do like to think that after so much time a bond is formed. He may not feel emotion, but I hope that he recognizes me as a safe place and not something dangerous.

 

[moosassah]

I'm always amused that my cresties watch me while I'm on the computer. Their tanks are the 1st 3 along that wall. The leos always react to me entering the room--except for our newest which still is not receiving visitors willingly.

 

[Haligren]

Sometimes when I'm handling Tiamat, she'll suddenly stare right into my eyes. Her eyes will get all big and she'll start moving real slow almost as if she sees a predator or something...or maybe prey? lol It's like she's thinking "Oh my God! That is a HUGE animal!" Other times she seems really happy that I took her out of the tank and she'll crawl all over me like I'm the best jungle gym in the world.

I have to agree with Gregg though: I know they are just reacting to stimuli but it's fun for the rest of us to pretend - or even hope - that there's something just a little bit more happening inside their little heads.

 

[Geck-O]

At night when Stripes is out, I turn on the lights and he startes at me. His eyes follow me all around the room. He's so cute!

 

[gothra]

I think they see us as some harmless unknown giant moving creature, that'll let them climb on and see far away. Definately not for heat, as I have cold hands sometimes and Marly would still sit on my palm; I feel like I'm hold a little heat pack (which makes me feel guilty)!

I think they can differentiate between me and other humans. Probably due to scent and the way of holding them?