If you’ve noticed your crested gecko’s throat pulsating quickly, you may be concerned. A fast-moving throat can indicate stress, health issues, or normal behavior. Read on to learn about the common reasons for a speedy gecko throat and what you can do to help.
If short on time, the quick answer is: Rapid throat movements in crested geckos often occur while shedding skin or due to low temperatures, stress, respiratory infections, or pregnancy. Ensuring proper heating, humidity, nutrition and habitat can help address underlying causes.
Shedding Skin Causes Frequent Throat Movement
Crested geckos shed their skin several times a year as they grow. This natural process can cause increased throat movement as the old skin detaches from the delicate tissue in the throat area.
Here are some key reasons why throat movement increases during a shed:
- The old skin peels away from the moist, vascular throat tissue which is very sensitive. This causes discomfort and agitation.
- Extra swallowing motions are needed to help loosen and swallow the shedding skin pieces sloughing off in the throat.
- Increased blood flow to the throat during shedding causes the throat area to become inflated and more pronounced, leading to prominent bobbing motions.
While an intense shedding session can make your gecko’s throat look like it’s pulsating, this is completely normal. The rapid motions typically subside within a day or two after the old skin has fully detached from the throat area.
There are a few ways to help ease your gecko’s shedding discomfort:
- Maintain proper humidity between 50-60%. This helps the old skin detach easier so less throat movement is needed.
- Provide a humid hide box. Your gecko will appreciate extra moisture while shedding its skin.
- Gently rub around the snout and throat with a warm, damp q-tip to help loosen skin.
- Avoid handling your gecko during this sensitive period.
With proper care, your crested gecko can complete its shedding cycle smoothly and comfortably. The rapid throat motions will resolve on their own as the old skin detaches. If throat movements persist beyond a few days after shedding, a vet visit may be needed to rule out other causes like an infection.
Low Temperatures Lead to Rapid Throat Motion
Crested geckos are cold-blooded reptiles that rely on external temperatures to regulate their body temperature. When temperatures drop too low, crested geckos can experience physiological stress that leads to rapid throat movements as an attempt to increase body heat.
Here are some key reasons why low temperatures cause rapid throat motions in crested geckos:
Trying to Warm Up
Crested geckos are from tropical regions and thrive in temperatures between 70-80°F. If the temperature drops below 65°F, they can start experiencing health issues. Their throat, called a gular flap, is a thin layer of skin that overlaps their windpipe.
By rapidly opening and closing their gular flap, crested geckos can circulate air through their throat and warm up their bodies.
Increasing Metabolic Rate
The rapid throat movements help increase their metabolic rate and generate more internal body heat. Like shivering in mammals, this physiological response aims to raise their core temperature to a more optimal range.
Preventing Cold Stress
Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can lead to dangerous conditions like cold stress or respiratory infections in crested geckos. The rapid motions are an attempt to prevent their body from getting too cold. Below 60°F, their immune system can be suppressed, making them prone to illness.
Signaling Discomfort
The motions also act as a signal that the gecko is uncomfortable with the temperature. Gecko owners may notice rapid throating when taking their pet out of its warm tank to handle it. It indicates the gecko is distressed by the temperature change and wants to go back to its warmer habitat.
Rapid throat movements are a completely normal reaction to low temperatures in crested geckos. However, chronic cold stress can tax their health and immune systems. Gecko owners should ensure their habitat stays between 70-80°F using a heat mat, ceramic heat emitter or room heater if needed.
This will prevent throat motions and keep the gecko happy and healthy.
Stress Results in Fast Throat Pulsing
A crested gecko’s throat moving fast can be a sign of stress. Here’s an in-depth look at why this happens and what you can do about it:
Causes of Fast Throat Pulsing
There are a few key reasons a crested gecko’s throat may pulse rapidly:
- Being handled – Geckos don’t like being handled, so this interaction can stress them out.
- Environmental changes – Changes to their enclosure, temperature, humidity, etc. can cause stress.
- Health issues – Respiratory infections may cause increased throat movements.
- Dehydration – Lack of water can lead to fast throat pulsing.
Essentially, anything that disrupts a crested gecko’s normal routine has the potential to stress them out. Their throat pulses faster as they breathe heavier under stress.
Dangers of Chronic Stress
Occasional stress is normal, but chronic stress is problematic for crested geckos. It can weaken their immune system and cause health issues like:
- Respiratory infections
- Weight loss
- Poor shedding
- Change in behavior
Prolonged stress also leads to a shortened lifespan in crested geckos. That’s why it’s important to minimize stressors when possible.
How to Help a Stressed Crested Gecko
Here are some tips to relieve stress and soothe a fast-pulsing throat:
- Limit handling to 15 minutes max per day.
- Keep the enclosure at the proper temperature and humidity.
- Provide plenty of hiding spots and foliage.
- Keep their routine consistent with feedings, mistings, etc.
- Allow time to adjust to any habitat changes.
- Provide a quiet, peaceful environment.
With some tweaks to their care, you can help minimize your crested gecko’s stress levels. Monitor their throat pulsing to gauge their mood. Frequent fast pulsing means it’s time to identify and reduce stressors in their habitat and routine.
Respiratory Infections Increase Throat Speed
Respiratory infections are a common cause of increased throat movement and rapid breathing in crested geckos. When geckos get sick, their immune system kicks into high gear to fight off the infection. This ramps up activity in the throat and chest as the body works harder to breathe and circulate immune cells.
Some typical symptoms of respiratory infections in crested geckos include:
- Rapid throat movements or pumping
- Labored breathing or open-mouth breathing
- Nasal discharge or congestion
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
There are a few major types of respiratory infections that may be the culprit:
Bacterial Infections
Bacteria like Mycoplasma and Pseudomonas can take hold in a gecko’s respiratory tract, leading to pneumonia-like symptoms. Oral antibiotics prescribed by a vet are needed to clear bacterial infections.
Fungal Infections
Fungi in the environment can cause infections if inhaled. Common offenders include Aspergillus and Candida. Antifungal medications are used for treatment.
Viral Infections
Viruses like the adenovirus can spread between geckos and cause upper respiratory infection (URI) symptoms. Supportive care and isolation of the sick gecko are required since antibiotics do not work against viruses.
In addition to infections, issues like low temperatures, high humidity, poor ventilation, stress, and vitamin A deficiency can all put extra strain on a crested gecko’s respiratory system. Fixing these husbandry issues is key while also getting veterinary treatment for any infections present.
If your crested gecko has increased throat movements along with other sickness symptoms, schedule a vet visit right away. Proper diagnosis and treatment are important to help your gecko recover and breathe easy again!
Pregnancy May Cause Frequent Throat Motions
Crested geckos going through pregnancy often exhibit increased throat movement and gulping. This perfectly normal behavior is likely caused by hormonal changes within the gecko’s body as it prepares to lay eggs. Here’s a closer look at why throat motions may increase during pregnancy:
Increased Metabolism and Thirst
Pregnancy ramps up a crested gecko’s metabolism as its body works overtime to support the developing eggs. This increased metabolism leads to an increased need for water. According to reptile care sites like ReptiFiles.com, pregnant geckos may drink up to 3 times their normal amount of water per day!
All that extra drinking often translates into more frequent throat movements as the gecko gulps down water. The increased thirst also leads to more visits to the water dish, which owners may notice.
Egg Development
As eggs grow within the abdomen, they take up increasing amounts of space. This places pressure on the gecko’s other internal organs, potentially making it more difficult to swallow food and water. Geckos may compensate by exaggerating their throat motions when drinking and eating.
Egg-laden geckos also become heavier and more cumbersome as pregnancy progresses. Some have trouble navigating their enclosures gracefully. This lack of mobility may cause them to spend more time hovering over their water dishes, triggering additional throat movements.
Preparing to Lay
In the days leading up to egg laying, female geckos become extra restless and fidgety. They start scoping out optimal egg deposition sites and assessing whether their bodies are ready. This anxious energy can manifest as pacing, climbing, and repetitive throat motions unrelated to eating or drinking.
Additionally, physical pressure from the eggs may increase discomfort in the throat and chest areas. Geckos may gulp or stretch their throats for relief, especially when the eggs begin descending into the lower abdomen prior to laying.
When to Worry
While increased throat movements are usually normal during gestation, owners should watch for any concerning symptoms. Rapid gulping motions accompanied by gaping mouth, drooling, or respiratory distress may indicate an illness or impaction.
Geckos who stop eating or become extremely lethargic also warrant a vet visit to rule out underlying problems.
By providing pregnant geckos with optimal care and monitoring them closely, owners can enjoy the journey to egg laying! With attentive husbandry, frequent throat motions are just another fascinating aspect of the reproductive process.
Conclusion
In summary, fast throat movements in crested geckos often relate to shedding, temperature regulation, stress, illness or pregnancy. By carefully observing your gecko and making adjustments to its habitat and care routine, you can frequently address the underlying cause.
If the rapid motions persist or you notice additional symptoms, take your gecko to an exotic vet for an examination. With proper handling, a speedy gecko throat often resolves on its own.
