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Ashawee00 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2002, 03:52 AM

My male leopard gecko scratches his ears with his back legs. I took him into the vets office where I work (they aren't reptile specialists) and the doc couldn't see anything wrong with his ears. My female doesn't do this...does anyone else have a leo that scratches?

He also hiccups. After wiggling around in my hands he'll start hiccupping exactly like humans do. He's been doing this for awhile. The doc didn't have any idea what this could be, he was going to call in to a local reptile vet to see what he thought. My gravid female started this behavior the other day so I'm starting to get really worried. Any advice about this??

Thanks so much!
Ashley
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Dr.Oviparous · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2002, 09:05 AM

I have never had any geckos, so somone please correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. I don't know about the hicups, but the scratching sounds normal, as long as she's not doing any damage. if you'r worried, I would take her to a good herp vet though. OH, and WECOME TO RTB!!!! -Juggalo
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impermanentrage · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2002, 09:44 AM

Its barking at you. this is not a "hiccup". He's being defensive. Same with the back legs.
However, i'm not a lizard "expert".

Peace,
Alex

_________________
"We are destined to become the most well informed society to ever die from our own ignorance."
Edward Abbey

"You can have my snakes, when you pry them out of my cold, dead hands." Me

JuliusSqueezer · #4 (**permalink**) 04-27-2002, 01:06 AM

Geckos are the only lizards on the planet known to have true vocal cords other than crocodile skinks which I think as do many others that they are really geckos anyway. Look closely for tiny little moving bugs the size of pin heads. He could be scratching at mites or could just be trying to get a shed started.
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Ashawee00 · #5 (**permalink**) 04-27-2002, 04:04 PM

I've looked at my leo's ear and whole body a couple of time over the last few weeks to see if there were any mites. I haven't seen anything. And he scratches numerous times a day, everyday. So I know he's not trying to shed. I'm really confused. I just want him to be a heathly gecko.

Also, the hiccupping is exactly that. There is no noise coming out of him. And its a rythmic type of behavior.

Thanks for your help. I guess I'll just continue to keep a close eye on him. And work on getting a fecal into the vet.

Ashley
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