Leopard Geckos Affectionate? (Checked Out)


Most reptiles are not as friendly and are difficult to socialize with, given their bad temper and dull company. However, the case is different with the leopard gecko, especially if you bring them up yourself. Whether leopard geckos are affectionate or not, we understand that it is a matter of concern that requires attention.

So, are leopard geckos affectionate? Leopard geckos are not as affectionate as most household pets and will take time to identify and get comfortable with their owner. Once comfortable, these pets are easy to get along with, but you must ensure they receive adequate warmth, food, and company. Raising your leopard gecko well will make them love your company and be happier around you.

Most reptiles do not show emotions like cats and dogs; this is because they are mostly wired to respond to threats and will treat most approaches with suspicion. Reptiles also are not cute in the sense that you would want to cuddle them, given their rough skin, but if you are a reptile lover, this is the least concern for you.

Leopard geckos will not show affection but instead will make associations. Thus, if you are looking for a pet that will be overjoyed by your presence every time you enter the room, then a leopard gecko is not an ideal selection. Leopard geckos will associate you with what you give them, such as food or going out on a walk to explore the world. This association will make them excited anytime they see you, as they will know good things might happen.

Your leopard gecko will also appear at ease once they get used to you and show up confidently instead of hiding once they are comfortable with your presence.

Among the things your gecko will do when they see you include waking up and running towards the glass. They might also try to climb up the glass to come out, and when you stretch your hands towards them, they will gladly climb and want to be held by you. Your pet may also spend most of their time in your hands, either when resting or during a walk. Also, when you are taking a walk, you may notice your pet throwing a few glances at you to hear what you have to say and will not go beyond the spots you warn them.

After a leopard gecko gets comfortable with its owner, it may also fall asleep around them. This is a sign of trust, given that reptiles are very suspicious. However, if your pet falls asleep next to you, you should be careful not to roll over them and suffocate them to death as they may not move away, given the difference in your body sizes.

Do Geckos Get Attached To Their Owners?

Like most reptiles, geckos have two dominant emotions, fear and aggression, and demonstrate them, especially when they do not want to be handled. On the contrary, they will also show pleasure when you give them food or when stroked.

Geckos recognize their owners, but unlike cats and dogs, which develop an emotional attachment, these pets do not. When the owner handles or cares for them, geckos will show signs of comfort than when handled by a stranger. When handled by a stranger, they will either fear or become aggressive, indicating that they can tell between their owner and strangers.

Geckos also pay attention to their owner’s scent and will attack anyone with a different scent. This explains why some pet owners have faced attacks due to a change of cologne or soap.

A gecko that recognizes its owner will be comfortable around them. Such geckos will come out of their hideout in the tank when you approach the tank. They will also stick around you when you go out to explore. Such geckos will also accept physical contact with their owner and accept food from them.

Your pet may climb on your shoulders and enjoy petting. You may also notice your gecko closing their eyes when you pet them, indicating trust and comfort. However, before initiating physical contact with your pet, you should learn their mood first, as your pet may become aggressive and strike you if you force them. You should also remember to clean your hands after petting as your pet might host harmful bacteria.

Since geckos do not get attached to their owners as other pets, you can make them recognize you and be more comfortable and friendly around you by gaining their trust and creating a comfortable enclosure for them. To earn your gecko’s trust, start by making identifiable sounds around them.

Familiar sound will trigger both positive and negative reactions. Thus, you should come up with either a soothing sound or call out their name so that your pet can identify with it and know that you have come to take care of it. Over time, your pet will attach to the positive experiences that come with the sound and will be excited to hear you.

Leopard geckos will always take time to familiarize themselves with everything, including their surroundings. Since they operate with instincts, you should make their tank so that approaching it will not appear as a threat to them.

For instance, if you make your pet’s tank in such a way that the door is at the top, you are likely to scare them when you open as your pet may not see you approach their tank and opening it may feel like a huge predator coming to attack them. This will then trigger fear and aggressiveness.

To prevent such reactions from your pet, you can fix the tank doors on the side rather than on top. Other things you can do to make your gecko comfortable around you include keeping them stress-free by eliminating stressors such as loud noise and other pets, feeding them, and taking them out more often to explore.

Why Do Geckos Lick You?

The leopard gecko’s tongue is similar to that of a chameleon but is not as long to propel forward and catch prey. So, what do they use them for?

Geckos tend to use their tongue often to get acquainted with their surroundings. This explains why when you bring your pet to their new home, they will lick everything around them, including you. Geckos have a Jacobson’s Organ, located on the roof of their mouth, allowing them to taste and establish whether objects are alive.

The opening of the gecko’s upper mouth connects to Jacobson’s organ. When your pet licks you, it will collect nanoscopic particles from your body and push them to Jacob’s organ, decoding them into messages.

This organ transmits the messages to the brain through the nerves for interpretation, allowing your pet to understand their environment. Thus, while you may think your pet is licking you to display affection, your pet could be trying to register who you are.

Also, by giving your pet a better taste of their new environment, licking makes it easier for them to hunt, pursue a mate or hide. Besides licking you, your gecko will lick certain parts of its body to relay specific information. As a pet owner, you should understand what the different lickings mean to interpret what your pet could be trying to communicate to you.

Final Thoughts

Leopard lizards will take time before they get used to their new owner and get comfortable around them. As a pet owner, you should give your pet time to familiarize themselves with their new environment without stressing them to ensure they adapt faster.

The time they will take to get used to you will vary depending on their personality and requires patience. Once they get comfortable around you, you should continuously observe their mood before handling them as they quickly get stressed out.

If your leopard lizard is comfortable with you, it will get excited to see you and stick around you. It will also associate you with the good things you bring to them, such as food and exploration. You can then strengthen the bond with your leopard gecko by feeding it regularly, taking it out of the tank often, and giving it a name or making familiar sounds to enable it to realize you.

As you start having some physical contact with your pet, you will notice them licking you often. You should not mistake this licking with affection as your pet is simply trying to understand you. They will also lick other things in their environment, and you should be able to interpret what each type of licking means.

Finally, while leopard geckos may not bond with humans and display their loyalty like other household pets, these pets are less demanding of your attention. They can also give you good company as long as you can interpret their body language and relate with them accordingly.

Bal Kang

Bal Kang is an owner of several pets including reptiles, cats and dogs. An avid writer, who loves to share her insights into caring for pets.

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