Tail wagging

My gecko sometimes wags his tail before leaping on a cricket. Sometimes he'll just be laying there and wag away. Why do they do that?

they just do it when they are in hunting mode.. they get a little excited

That's what I thought. He definitely love to hunt. Thank you!

Moving their tail like that is one of the ways the communicate, especially enjoyment.

They enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

Leos also wag their tails high and slow when they feel threatened or are about to "attack". Its a defensive posture that makes them seem bigger and more imposing to chase off a threat.

I was cleaning earlier and only realized I put two males next to each other b/c I saw one of them wagging their tail like that. I was like oh poop! I gotta move one, lol

one of my enigma problem leo's always lifts her tail high and waves it when i clean her out if she can smell another leo and she'll also do it when me or Gary handle her

They also tail wag during breeding its like courtship

its more like tail vibrating during breeding by the males

Leos are so weird, but so very interesting too.

yes they are some make funny clicking noises when you pick the up or younger ones sometimes sound like they a squeaking at you

yep mines a clicker

I had a hatchling scream at me once, scared the hell out of me... My leos dont click they make a "Geeeeeek!" noise!

Mine's only snapped at me so far. I'll probably try again later to hold him. I'm glad that their bites aren't too bad, though I was told on here that they do the alligator death roll on occasion. I want to hear him make noises!

littlens bites dont hurt too much but adults can do some damage and really hurt

Lyndee, you can search on You Tube for a video of the babies screaming. It's not good or nice to make them scream as they are scared and feel threatened when they do. So instead of you doing it to your baby, rather watch a video of it because its already been done and you are not creating it yourself. I raised a baby from 3.5 weeks and he never made any noises at me because I was gentle and did not harass him. Just left him until he was older (4mths or so) before I started handling him. Now he walks onto my hand and up my arm when I put my hand in front of him.

HAHA Jenni, you are absolutely right that it stresses them out making them scream but I have had some that will scream no matter what you do....lol. I have one that as soon as I open the cupboards to the bins to feed them it starts screaming and doesn't stop until I have fed everyone and left the room.

There is alot that is meant from a tail wiggle.



If there is live food around them they will wiggle their tail. This is to show its in hunting mode. I think they also do it so the crickets thinks the "reptile" is further away than it actually is causing no threat. Most commonly done by hatchlings, but adults have been done to carry this tail wiggle on.



A slow "s" shape movement in the air is to show they are scared of you, or annoyed. This is usually followed with a fight or flight sitution. This is usually done by hatchlings or un-tame adults. This can be done towards another gecko or owner.



A really loud thumping tail wiggle, is done by a male during breeding. This is to show he is liking what he smells and ready for the female. Most breeders will know this sounds without evening having to check on the gecko

He he, that is hilarious Jolene! So, yr leo is kinda "singing for his supper" or just getting super excited about food. I never knew they could scream without being scared. Interesting.

Yeah, it is pretty funny....My kids think it's hilarious...they giggle for the whole time!

I've seen the screamers and it terrified me! Who knew something so small could make such a scary noise! It's cute, though, but I'd never purposefully make them do that.

My leo will not let me handle him. I've tried, and he just freezes then runs. I'll put my hand down to let him get used to my scent and the sight of my hand, but he gets so scared.

fufucuddlypoops6 wrote:I've seen the screamers and it terrified me! Who knew something so small could make such a scary noise! It's cute, though, but I'd never purposefully make them do that.

My leo will not let me handle him. I've tried, and he just freezes then runs. I'll put my hand down to let him get used to my scent and the sight of my hand, but he gets so scared.

Persistant and Patience will help All my leo's and Crestie's were very skittish when I first got them and would not let me handle them. But I handled them for atleast once a day for 10minutes and now they really good at being handled!!

I got a new leo yesterday and she tail wags alot if you put your hand near her but I will get there with her and you will too don't give up!

with the first 2 baby leo's i ever bought 5yrs ago to get them used to me ever night for 30mins when they started to come out of there hides i would just put my hand flat on the floor of the tank and let them investigate it and climb on it until they started to climb all the way up my arm but it took almost a month

He has a few crickets in there. Those things cost me my job...

But I'll do it for him!

Cost you your job? Omg how?