kingsnake.com - reptile and amphibian classifieds, breeders, forums, photos, videos and more

return to main index

  mobile - desktop
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter follow us on YouTube link to us on LinkedIn
Click for ZooMed  
Click to visit PACNWRS
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Tracking the animals in the Florida Everglades - Meet the Croc Docs . . . . . . . . . .  Reintroduction attempts give San Francisco Garter a second chance . . . . . . . . . .  Redding Reptile Expo - Feb 21-22 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  PACNWRS - Feb. 21-22, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - Feb 21, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - Feb 27, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - Feb 28, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - Mar 04, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - Mar 15, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - Mar 21, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - Mar 27, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - Mar 28, 2026 . . . . . . . . . . 

Oh, now I feel bad, but at least I know, Thanks!


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Rhacodactylus Forum ]

Posted by Gecko2525 on November 12, 2002 at 10:22:19:

In Reply to: scared gecko. posted by mikecoscia on November 12, 2002 at 10:06:06:

:The tail wagging is usually a sign of them being scared. They wiggle it like that so it looks like a worm, or some type of insect. A predator seeing the new movement will then hopefully go for the tail and not the head. If the predator goes for the head the gecko is most likely a goner, if it goes for the tail it breaks off and the gecko runs of for dear life. That’s why a lot of cresteds in the wild are tailless, they have used this defense mechanism to save their butts.

:The same thing can happen in captivity. Tracy’s gecko Glyn got spooked while we were cleaning his cage, and he dropped his tail without us even touching him. So you have to be real careful, if you see their tail wiggling like that back off for a second, and let the gecko realize its not in danger. Then carefully pick it up again. If you kept handling them or grabbed them in a certain way were they feel more threatened, its possible they could drop their tail. Also some individuals are just more flighty then others and will drop their tails more readily. Anyway just keep an eye out for it; cause after all cresties can not grow their tails back.
:-Mike





Follow Ups:




[ Follow Ups ] [ The Rhacodactylus Forum ]
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You Click here for Dragon Serpents Click here to visit Classifieds
KINGSNAKE.COM

Enjoy all our content free of charge with a user account that gives you full access to every feature. For added visibility, paid options are available - post in our Classifieds, showcase your business with Banner Ads or a Directory listing, promote reptile events, and more.

Quick Links
Community
Legal & Safety
Support

Register for free ✓ Sign up!

Kingsnake.com ® is a registered trademark © 1997-