It wagged its tail at the other one

Lisa · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2002, 03:11 PM

I was watching my new pair of madagascar giant gecko babies last night and noticed that one of them was creeping about really wierd and looking at the other one. The other one was staying still and acting like it had'nt noticed the other one doing this. Then the one that had been creeping started wagging its tail really slowly as if it was some sort of sign to the other one, then it crept really slow to the other one but when it got close the other one went to peck it on the nose.

Does anyone know what this behaviour means?, I bought them together as a pair a week ago but the man at the pet shop couldn't tell me what sex they are. He said that females can be very aggressive to each other but in my book on day gecko's it says you shouldn't house males together as they are territorial. I've been after a male and a female for a while but as these two were going very cheep, and were already housed together I decided to take the chance and take them together.

They seem fine otherwise and don't seem stressed, they are both eating well. I'm just wondering if the tail wagging means that that they are getting territorial with each other. And is this serious enough that I should seperate them from each other, or is it just gecko behaviour and not serious as they haven't actually been fighting, just one gave the other a peck after it had been wagging its tail at it and after that the one that had been tail wagging went away from the other and they left each other alone.
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eddie · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2002, 03:20 PM

Where in the world is Seany when ya need him??????

He has some...(LOM winner for July 2002)See left side bar)hint, hint!)

I am guessing its a dominance thing, one is showing respect , or submission and the other is showing that it's the boss!

As for keeping together or seperating, at this point I would seperate them just in case until you learn for sure, then decide to keep apart or together.

As for the hint, hint.
just a plug for entries to the Lizard of the Month contest.. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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Seany · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2002, 04:25 PM

Thanks Eddie [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img],

although I've sent you (lisa) a message... I will respond to the tail wagging. The tank might be a bit small for them, but normally it just means that they are excited! if they are really hungry and you put in crickets you'll notice that they will wag their tails like little puppies [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] It's nothing to worry about.
when they are mad/ threatening, they'll stretch their tails out as far as they can and bark while bobbing their heads. Trust me, you'll know it when you see it.
As for space, as long as you have a 20L gallong tank or larger, you'll be fine. (30''-12'-14'')
I have 5 (2 males and 3 females) in a 90 gallon tank and they never had a fight.
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Seany · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2002, 04:31 PM

Also, hard to find but a GREAT book to have is

"The general care and maintenance of Day Geckos" by -Sean Mckeown
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Lisa · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2002, 04:49 PM

Thanks for the info, Yes they are in a very small tank temporarily atm and I'm currently making plans to build their new tank. I;m going for 20" deep, 2ft wide and 3ft tall so it should be plenty big enough.
I already have that book you recomended which I bought weeks before I got my gecko's because I wanted to be prepaired. I was going to get the cage built before I bought any but I had to get these two as they were half the usual price I've ever seen any going for and they look really beautiful and healthy.

One more thing, do you go for top opening cage or front sliding doors, as they are very quick little things and I'm wondering whats the best design of cage to go for?, or does it not matter really. I feel a little nervous atm when I'm cleaning the tank incase they jump out, they are so quick [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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Seany · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2002, 04:56 PM

I'd go with a top opening... but I know what you mean. They are fast!!!
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Quakezombie · #7 (**permalink**) 12-20-2002, 08:51 PM

This may be an old post but...

How are the little ones doing Lisa ?
..and Seany have you had any luck with breeding yours ? (if so HELP ME !! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] )

ATM, I have .2 Adults i raised from juvies(they laid no less than 18 eggs last year),
and very soon (i hope) their 1. future mate (that has all his red dots in a single line) is due to be here from NY.

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XzyluM · #8 (**permalink**) 12-20-2002, 09:29 PM

Welcome to RTB Quakezombie. However, please don't be going around pulling up such outdated posts. If the subject at hand interests you, it is best to create a new thread and link to this one. Thanks.
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