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Are leopard geckos social animals? Do they like other animals? What about people? Find out in this detailed guide!
Every reptile enthusiast wants to have a pet leopard gecko as a part of their collection. They’re easy to care for, come in a variety of morphs, and have fascinating personalities.
Regardless of how confident you might feel about buying a leopard gecko, there are a few things you should know. Most of which have to do with their social nature.
After all, who would want to bring a pet into their home only to have it become stressed out and suffer?
To help you make an informed decision, below, we discuss leopard geckos’ social nature. We’re going to cover topics such as:
- Do leopard geckos get along with other pets/reptiles?
- How to handle leopard geckos
- Do leopard geckos like human interaction?
- Can you cohabitate leopard geckos?
- Do leopard geckos get bored?
Jump to..
Are Leopard Geckos Social with Other Pets?
In general, leopard geckos do not get lonely when kept as pets, though they need to interact with humans to fulfill particular social needs.
One of these is territoriality, where a gecko will display its dominance through behaviors like head bobbing or tail wagging. Other lizards in a tank will pick up on these cues and defer to one another.
If you have two leopard geckos living in a tank together, it’s common for them to fight. This is due to dominance, fighting for resources, and mating issues.
Owners often ask if it’s okay to put multiple leopard geckos into a single tank together. Yet, this should almost always be avoided. There are rare circumstances where two leopard geckos who grew up together establish a relationship – but this is generally not the case.
Leopard geckos prefer solitary lifestyles—they don’t interact very much with other lizards unless there is food.
Are Leopard Geckos Friendly to Humans?
Yes! Thanks to their inherent docile nature, leopard geckos tend to get along well with humans. This is why many people consider them as their first pet reptile.
Most leopard geckos would much rather hide than fight. Leopard geckos rarely bite or show aggressive behavior. This makes them ideal animals for both children and adults looking for a low-maintenance, low-tempered pet.
If you’re looking to bond with your leopard gecko, consider the following tips:
Always Pick & Handle Them Gently:
This is true for all reptiles, as mishandling can cause harm and lead to ill-tempered behavior. The last thing you want is to trigger your leopard gecko!
Always handle your leopard gecko firmly but be sure to allow it to move freely within your hands. Otherwise, it may feel like it’s trapped and could become stressed or defensive.
Try Hand Feeding Them:
Association with people (and food) is a great way to get your gecko comfortable with you and reduce its stress levels. You may even end up building a more symbiotic relationship over time!
Be sure to choose only healthy, nutritious bugs for hand feeding, and observe your gecko. Over-feeding can lead to impaction, which can block the digestive tract.
On average, hand-feeding sessions should last no longer than 10 minutes per day.
Maintain A Routine:
By establishing a routine, you are providing yourself with a sense of comfort and helping your gecko understand what’s expected. This will lead to fewer behavioral issues in both you and your pet!
Establish a feeding, sleeping, and handling schedule that works for both you and your leopard gecko.
Create A Hospitable Environment:
This includes providing your gecko with a natural habitat with plenty of places to hide, bask, and climb!
The more comfortable your gecko feels in its home, the better it will behave. Keep your gecko’s habitat at a comfortable temperature (between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit).
Do Leopard Geckos Get Lonely?
Though it’s a debatable subject, most leopard gecko species generally don’t mind living alone. In nature, leopard geckos are seldomly spotted together.
They are solitary animals that prefer to spend most of their time alone basking under the sun. They also enjoy taking a peaceful nap under a warm rock or strolling around looking for food.
So as long as you provide your buddy with enough food, water, and needed heat, no one will need to be lonely or sad here!
Do Leopard Geckos Get Bored?
Well, if you need a one-word answer, NO. Because leopard geckos are solitary animals in nature, they aren’t likely to experience boredom in captivity. If they have enough food and are provided with adequate space in their terrariums, they will never experience boredom.
But, just like every other being, leopard geckos do have their days of stress, too, especially when it comes to nothing to explore or nothing new to eat. We recommend introducing new terrarium accessories every so often. You can also buy or build a playpen for your leopard gecko!
So, the more comfortable your pet feels inside its habitat, the less chance of behavioral issues. Also, remember that these reptiles need daily exercise & stimulation for good wellbeing.
Are Leopard Geckos Social Creatures?
So, are geckos social or not? Leopard geckos are social animals. But being solitary, it’s advisable to keep them away from other leopard geckos to avoid territorial disputes.
And while they don’t get lonely easily, they can get stressed out. This is especially true when they’re being shipped around from one place to another by their owners/breeders.
Hence you should create a hospitable environment for your pet! This should include a heating pad, hides, and climbing accessories.
You’ll quickly realize leopard geckos are social creatures once you provide them the adequate care!
If you’re searching for a new pet leopard gecko, be sure to check out our leopard gecko breeder directory!
